Carnferg

About Carnferg

Standing guard over the Forest of Birse, Carnferg is a delightful Mounth hummock that punches above its weight thanks to the historic Fungle Road. Its summit is crowned by a cairn so massive it suggests the local stones were trying to build a ladder to a more impressive altitude.

Key Statistics

Find It

Did You Know?

• •The hill is a key landmark on the Fungle Road, an ancient drove road once used by monks, smugglers, and cattle thieves crossing from Deeside to Glen Esk. It remains one of the most atmospheric historic crossings in the Eastern Highlands.
• •The summit features an exceptionally large memorial cairn dedicated to a member of the Balfour family of Birse Castle. It is so substantially built that it serves as a reliable fortress against the biting Deeside winds.
• •Despite its modest height of 525 meters, its position offers a commanding 360-degree vista that spans from the Aberdeenshire coastline to the high peaks of the Cairngorms. It is the definition of a 'low effort, high reward' hike.
• •The surrounding Forest of Birse is one of the most secluded corners of Scotland, serving as a sanctuary for red deer and golden eagles. It’s an area where the silence is only interrupted by the occasional disgruntled grouse.
• •While the 'Fungle Road' sounds like a failed psychedelic rock festival from 1974, it is actually a test of your gaiters' structural integrity. If you finish the descent without having an intimate encounter with a peat bog, you haven't actually hiked in the Mounth.