Look out for more of our leaflets covering some of the forests in the area

Contact details: Moray & Aberdeenshire Forest District Tel: 0300 067 6200Email: morayaberdeenshire@forestry.gsi.gov.ukPublic enquiry line: 0300 067 6156

© Crown Copyright 2017

For information on public transport services contact: Traveline Scotland, 0871 2002233 or www.travelinescotland.com

For more ideas of great days out in the forest, visit our website:

www.forestry.gov.uk/scotlandFollo

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If you need this publication in an alternative format, please contact:

The Diversity Team Tel: 0300 067 5000E-mail: diversity@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

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The curving graceful ridge of Bennachie stands proud in the landscape and stirs the hearts of everyone who comes here. It’s Aberdeenshire’s best-loved forest, an ancient place with colourful stories, wide-ranging wildlife, amazing archaeology and panoramic views from its distinctive tops.

There are four different ways into the hill, each with a picnic area and forest trails. But if you’ve never been to Bennachie before, the best place to head for is the Bennachie Centre.

Nestling in the sheltered rain shadow of the mighty Grampian Mountains, the forests of Aberdeenshire have their own special character - just like our language!

Thirty forest trails weave through twelve different forests in Aberdeenshire, waiting for you to explore them.

Some are in big forest landscapes, with wide open moorland and powerful skies. Others are close to towns, easy to get to for a brisk walk or a pounding forest run.

All have interesting wildlife, picnic sites and lots to see and do. Visit as many as you can and keep going back to discover something new each time.

Reid squirrels hae lugs wi tufty hairThey skyte up a tree like a michty stairGin they hear ye…wheech, they’re gaenA glisk ben the wids like a straik o flame

BennachieA legendary day out for everyone on and around this much-loved hill.

Delgaty Charming woodland trails, followed by tea at the castle!

The Bin Big impressive trees and Deveron valley views.

Kirkhill Take in Aberdeen from the top of the Tappie Tower.

Tyrebagger Family strolls through towering Douglas firs and colourful beech.

Countesswells & Foggieton Two forests and something for everyone, on the city’s doorstep.

Cambus o’ May Gorgeous pinewoods and glacial lochans in Deeside.

Scolty Quiet woodland below a general’s monument.

Dunnottar Family heritage in Stonehaven’s community woods.

The heart of the hill

At the Bennachie Centre you’ll find the easiest forest trails, the shortest (but steepest) route to the Mither Tap hillfort and an excellent Visitor Centre, where you can buy hot drinks and snacks. Red squirrels and small woodland birds feed at the nearby wildlife screen, a great spot for families.

Bennachie

Visitor Centre

Open every

day from 10am,

April to October.

Free entry.

Also look out for Coynachie, Clashindarroch and Denlethen forests - all wids nearhaun that are well worth a visit!

The Bennachie Centre Trust manages the Visitor Centre in partnership with Aberdeenshire Council, Forestry Commission Scotland and the Bailies of Bennachie.

Bennachie has it’s own leaflet, which you can pick up from the Visitor Centre or in the Visitor Centre car park.

Pronounced ‘Benn-a-hee’Bennachie

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Red squirrel: Pete Cairns/2020VISION

Gaelic for ‘cleft’ (in a hill)

DenlethenLaurencekirk’s small community wood is friendly and informal. You’ll find benches here for sitting quietly and watching the woodland birds and interesting short paths to wander. The main forest track makes a circuit of about 1.8 miles / 3 km.

Most people come to climb Scolty Hill and the Burnett monument — the route up is rugged and steep but the views are superb.

Down below the forest is quiet and interesting, with scampering red squirrels and woodpeckers drilling. Gentle trails weave over small burns and past old stone walls, relics of Scolty’s farming history.

For a longer day try a section of the Deeside Way and get the bus back from Aboyne or Drumoak.

Discover the mossy walls of old farms and a fine viewpoint on this shorter loop through the spruce and larch forest.

A longer circuit through the tranquil forest, with the chance to see woodpeckers, roe deer and red squirrels.

Craigloch Trail March Trail

Wide, firm but uneven gravel surface throughout. Long moderate slopes with some steeper sections. Includes two wide gates. Some parts may be muddy.

Uneven gravel and earth surface with exposed tree roots. Some rocky and slightly muddy parts. Long moderate slopes with short steeper sections. Includes one narrow kissing gate.

1 ½ miles / 2.6 kmAllow 1 hr

A short loop around the west lochan, where you may see damselflies and dragonflies dancing over the water.

Wander beneath majestic Douglas firs to reach a pair of picture-perfect lochans nestled amid the pines.

A longer tour through the tranquil pine forest, which is home to red squirrels, capercaillie and black grouse.

Lochside Trail

Two Lochans Trail

Pine Tree Trail

Firm but uneven gravel surface. Some short steep slopes with single uneven rock steps. Parts may be slightly grassy or muddy.

Uneven gravel surface with some slightly grassy and muddy parts. Some steep slopes with one flight of wooden steps. Includes three bridges.

Uneven gravel surface with some rocky and muddy parts. Some steep slopes. Includes three bridges and some exposed tree roots.

½ mile / 1 kmAllow ¼ hr

1 ½ miles / 2.5 kmAllow 1 hr

2 ¾ miles / 4.3 kmAllow 1 ½ hrs

Visit this Deeside treasure again and again. Come here in summer for endless darting dragonflies on the lochans and in winter for snow-clad views of the surrounding mountains.

The woodland here is classic Scots pine with a carpet of heather and blaeberry — ideal habitat for capercaillie and black grouse. You may not see these shy and sensitive birds, but they are easily disturbed, so please keep your dogs close to you.

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2 ½ miles / 4 kmAllow 1 ½ hrs

Scolty7Trail information

Trail information

Explore the deciduous woodlands of Dunnottar House and discover its intriguing history at the Shell House, Lady Kennedy’s Bath and Gallow’s Hill.

History Trail

Firm but uneven gravel surface. Long moderate slopes with short steeper sections. Some tree roots and muddy patches. Includes two quiet road crossings.

2 miles / 3.4 kmAllow 1 hr

Stonehaven’s lively community wood is full of surprises and stories about the Kennedy family who once lived in Dunnottar House.

Walk directly into the woodland from the town and quickly lose yourself in history and nature. In summer the forest is vibrant, green and speckled with wildflowers. In autumn crunchy beech, ash and sycamore leaves carpet the ground — great for tramping through!

Trail information

Community events take place all year round - see www.dunnottarwoods.org

Camas a’ Mhaighe – Gaelic for ‘river bend of the plain’

Dùn Fhotheir – Gaelic for ‘fort on the shelving slope’

Cambus o’ May Dunnottar6 8

General Burnett’s monument

The Shell House

A nearhaun widdie (a nearby wood)

AberdeenshireReid squirrels, green pines, bluebells bricht

Discover the forests of

North East

Named for the hill at its heart, The Bin contains many of Aberdeenshire’s most impressive grand firs. Some date back to the 1840s and are among the oldest in the country.

Medicinal powers were once attributed to the Gallon of Water, a small pool near the knobbly top of the Bin, but today most people make the climb for the invigorating views across the Huntly countryside.

Stretch your legs in this enchanting mature woodland and listen for birds, deer or red squirrels.

Climb through the forest to the 19th century folly at Tappie Tower, which provides panoramic views from the North Sea to Bennachie.

Explore the towering trees of Tyrebagger Wood and look out for the Robbers’ Cave, said to be a hideaway for 17th century outlaws!

Beech Tree Trail

Tappie Tower Trail

The Robbers’ Trail

Trail information

Trail information

Firm but uneven gravel surface throughout. Some short fairly steep slopes. Parts may be slightly muddy and rooty.

Firm and mostly wide gravel surface, with some uneven and slightly rocky sections. One long fairly steep slope. Parts may be wet after rain.

Uneven gravel surface with some exposed tree roots and potentially muddy parts. Some fairly steep slopes.

¾ mile / 1.3 kmAllow ½ hr

3 ¾ miles / 5.9 kmAllow 2 ½ hrs

1 ½ miles / 2.3 kmAllow 1 hr

Walk, run or cycle to the Tappie Tower — it’s a stiff climb but well worth the effort for the grand views to Aberdeen and Bennachie.

Whatever your pace, Kirkhill can help you get fitter and more active. Explore the natural paths which weave through the spruce and larch here, and add interest to your walks and runs. If biking is your passion, try perfecting your technical skills at the MTB fun park.

With wide trails suitable for young families and some truly impressive trees, Tyrebagger is quieter than Kirkhill, but just as easy to get to.

It’s a good place to glimpse red squirrels searching for seeds on the forest floor. The trees here are varied, which means that there’s always something new to see, whether it’s beech leaves turning orange in autumn or the white blossom of the rowan in spring.

Climb up into the varied forest past the old ice house and return via the loch with views of Delgatie Castle.

Enjoy the peace and quiet of this mossy-floored larch and pine forest.

Fishery Trail

Song Birds Trail

Firm but uneven gravel surface. Includes some fairly steep slopes and a short flight of steps. Parts may be muddy or wet after rain.

Firm but uneven gravel surface. Fairly steep slopes. Occasionally muddy parts.

1 ¼ miles / 2.1 kmAllow ¾ hr

1 ¾ miles / 2.8 kmAllow 1 hr

Not many forests have a castle with a tearoom next door, but then Delgaty is a special place!

You’ll find different trees and habitats here, from light-filled birch woods sparkling with chattering birds, to areas of tall larch. On the way you’ll catch glimpses of Delgatie Castle and its fishing loch — on summer evenings tiny pipistrelle bats flit across the water, scooping up thousands of insects a night.

Countesswells Trail information

Watch for warblers flitting among the young trees on this short winding trail.

Firm but uneven gravel surface throughout, with some short muddy patches. Long moderate slopes.

½ mile / 0.8 kmAllow ¼ hr

1 ¼ miles / 2 kmAllow ¾ hr

A short stroll through the huge conifers and colourful beech trees that line the route.

Wander through giant Sitka spruce and majestic Douglas fir on this short jaunt through the forest.

A fine circuit of Gairn Hill Wood, which is home to a variety of trees and some good views across Aberdeenshire.

Beech Tree Trail

The Big Tree Trail

Gairn Hill Trail

Mostly firm gravel surface. Section of uneven earthy path with exposed tree roots and muddy areas. Fairly steep slopes.

Firm gravel surface with some uneven sections. Moderate slopes. Some parts may be muddy after rain.

Firm gravel surface throughout, with some rocky, rooty and muddy parts. Long moderate slopes with some short steeper ramps.

1 ¼ miles / 2.1 kmAllow ¾ hr

1 ½ miles / 2.5 kmAllow 1 hr

Foggieton Trail information

Wander through the magnificent mature beech wood and look for raspberries and blackberries in the summer and autumn.

Warblers’ Trail

Ladyhill Trail

Firm, largely smooth gravel surface throughout. Generally flat with some short moderate ramps. Some patches may be slightly muddy.

These popular forests are close to Aberdeen with plenty of paths to explore on foot, bike or horseback.

Cycle, run or walk through the huge spruce trees near the entrance to Countesswells and enjoy fine views from Gairn Hill. The trails here are family-sized with ample room for dogs and children.

Foggieton is smaller and quieter, a place to look for forest berries and listen to chattering birds. Its Doric name means ‘mossy farm’ and old farm walls still stand amongst the trees.

Ferny Knowe Trail

Trail information

Trail information

A short stroll around Ferny Knowe and Boddum Hill with some great views through the majestic larch trees.

Mostly wide, uneven gravel and grassy surface. Some exposed tree roots and slightly soft sections. Includes one fairly steep slope.

1 ¾ miles / 2.8 kmAllow 1 hr

Queen Tree Trail

Generations of trees can be seen on this trail, from grand firs planted in the 1840s to seedlings pushing through the soil.

Firm but uneven gravel and grassy surface. Some steep slopes. Includes exposed tree roots and slightly muddy sections.

3 ½ miles / 5.5 kmAllow 2 hrs

Climb through the forest to the top of The Bin for great views and a pool that was believed to have healing powers.

Gallon of Water Trail

Sections of rough, narrow earth path. Long steep slope with one short flight of wooden steps. Includes some rocky, rooty and potentially muddy parts.

4 miles / 6.5 kmAllow 2 ½ hrs

Kirkhill3

Tir a’ bhalgaire – Gaelic for ‘land of the fox’Tyrebagger4Countesswells

and Foggieton5

ClashindarrochEnjoy this huge forest on mountain bike and horseback in summer and on skis in winter. It’s one of Scotland’s top places for Nordic skiing with groomed ski trails and excellent snow-holding.

CoynachiePart of Clashindarroch, this young broadleaf wood is growing fast, so come back regularly to see how it changes. There is plenty of room for horse riders on the wide grassy rides.

Dealgadaidh – Gaelic for ‘prickly place’

A’ bheinn – Gaelic for ‘hill’ or ‘mountain’

Kirk - Doric for ‘church’Delgaty The Bin1 2Wids nearhaun (woods nearby)

2 ¾ miles / 4.4 kmAllow 1 ½ hrs