Hunt Hill

Hunt Hill stands in Angus, on the southern edge of the Cairngorms National Park. It rises 705 metres above sea level and is one of the Marilyn hills, a category for peaks with a prominence of at least 150 metres. The hill lies about four kilometres west-north-west of Loch Lee, a narrow loch known for its clear water. Two waterfalls, the Falls of Unich and the Falls of Damp, lie along the Water of Unich on the lower slopes. The summit is reached by a long ridge that stretches south from the hill’s northern face. The walk to the top covers eighteen kilometres and takes about six hours. It begins at a car park at the end of the Glen Esk road and follows the Water of Unich upstream. After passing the two falls, the path climbs steadily to the summit ridge. From the top, views extend north to Glen Lee and south towards the higher Cairngorms peaks. The route then descends to Glen Lee before returning along the shores of Loch Lee. Visitors find a quiet upland landscape with heather moorland and rocky outcrops. The Water of Unich winds through a shallow valley lined with birch and pine. The Falls of Unich drop over a series of low rock shelves, while the Falls of Damp tumble in a narrower cleft. The summit offers a broad panorama of the surrounding glens and distant mountains. The long day’s walk rewards with a sense of solitude and wide-open scenery.