Munro · Cairngorms
Driesh
Driesh (947m) — "thorn-bush" — is the eastern of the Glen Clova / Glen Doll pair (with Mayar), the most popular Munro day in the Angus glens. The hill is reached via the spectacular Corrie Fee — a National Nature Reserve famed for its arctic-alpine flora and rim of crags. The summit gives commanding views south across the Sidlaws to the Tay estuary and north to the Mounth and Lochnagar.
Quick facts
- Height
- 947.6m/ 3109ft
- Distance
- 16 km
- Ascent
- 834 m
- Time
- 5–8 hrs
- Grid ref
- NO271735
- Parking
- NO283762
- Nearest city
- Dundee
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
Glen path 35% · Corrie and headwall 30% · Open hillside 35%
Park at the Glen Doll Forestry car park. Take the path west through the forestry into the dramatic Corrie Fee, climbing the steep "Shank of Drumfollow" path onto the broad plateau. From the plateau head east to the Driesh summit trig pillar; most parties also take in Mayar to the west. Around 14km return with 850m of ascent for the pair — a classic Angus circuit.
Terrain
The Glen Doll forestry path is well-built track for the lower section. The Corrie Fee path through the NNR is firm restored stone pitching — beautiful in early summer when the alpine flora is in flower. The Shank of Drumfollow climb is sustained on grass and broken rock. Above the plateau the going is broad mossy turf with a clear path to the trig pillar. The Driesh summit is exposed.
In winter
A serious Angus winter Munro. The Corrie Fee headwall holds avalanche-prone snow after westerly storms. The plateau drifts heavily and the navigation between Driesh and Mayar in cloud requires care. The Glen Doll access remains reliable. SAIS Southern Cairngorms applies. Phone reception fades above 750m.
This hill is in the Northern Cairngorms SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 43m
- Edinburgh2h 7m
OS maps: OS Landranger 44
Mobile signal: Intermittent signal in Glen Clova. No signal above 750m. Glen Doll car park has occasional 4G. Download Landranger 44 offline.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:23
- Sunset
- 22:00
- Civil dawn
- 03:19
- Civil dusk
- 23:04
NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 June 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Driesh.
Around Driesh on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Pitlochry station
Schiehallion, Ben Vrackie, Beinn a Ghlo, Edradour distillery
36km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Ballater
Eastern Cairngorms / Royal Deeside
24km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Royal Lochnagar
Balmoral — Queen Victoria's favourite; eastern Cairngorms setting
17km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Driesh — common questions
- How hard is Driesh?
- Driesh is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 16km with 834m of ascent and takes most walkers 5-8 hours. Terrain: The Glen Doll forestry path is well-built track for the lower section.
- Where do I park for Driesh?
- Standard parking is at NO283762 near Dundee. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When is the best time to climb Driesh?
- The standard good-weather months for Driesh are May, June, July, August, September, October. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
- Can I bring my dog up Driesh?
- Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
- Is there mobile signal on Driesh?
- Intermittent signal in Glen Clova. No signal above 750m. Glen Doll car park has occasional 4G. Download Landranger 44 offline.
- Is Driesh safe in winter?
- A serious Angus winter Munro. The Corrie Fee headwall holds avalanche-prone snow after westerly storms. The plateau drifts heavily and the navigation between Driesh and Mayar in cloud requires care. The Glen Doll access remains reliable. SAIS Southern Cairngorms applies. Phone reception fades above 750m.
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