Back o’ Bennachie to Bennachie Visitor Centre

Date/Time

Date(s) - 10/12/2023
9:00 am - 4:30 pm

Walk Details

Pub Stop?: If Time Permits
O/S Map Sheet No.: 38
Grid Ref. Start: 661 246
Grid Ref. Finish 698 216
Walk (Miles): 9
Walk Hours: 4.5
Bus Time to Walk:1.5 hrs
Bus Time from Walk: 1 hr
Departure time from walk: 3:00 pm

Walk Notes

Bus departs Aberdeen at 09.00am

This club walk is to Aberdeen’s local hill – Bennachie. With its prominent peaks, such as Mither Tap, Oxen Craig, and Craigshannoch (Hill of the Foxes), Bennachie offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Rich in folklore and local legend, the hills are steeped in history, with remnants of an ancient iron age hill fort adding to the mystique of the landscape.

Main walk:

1. From the car park head South through the defined forest trail which has various artwork installations along the way.
2. Cross directly over two forest tracks continuing South.
3. Once clear of the forest there is well defined stone stepped path that will take up up to Little Oxen Craig which has the remains of a small quarry to explore.
4. Continuing further South you will reach Oxen Craig which is the highest point on this range.
5. Descend down from Oxen Craig and take the good path NE to Craigshannoch.
6. At Craigshannoch you can search for Harthill’s Cave (GR NJ 672 233) where the laird of Harthill, hid out watching his Castle burn after having set fire to it to spite his creditors.
7. From Craigshannoch head SE towards Mither Tap and the remains of the iron age fort that once stood here.
8. Head through the stone fort gateway to climb the last section to the top of Mither Tap. Take care if it is windy and/or the rocks are wet.
9. Come down back off the top via the same entrance heading NE and then turning SE after 100m
10. Follow this path down to the main Bennachie Visitor Centre where the bus will be waiting.

Distance: 8 km/5 miles. Ascent: 485 m/1591 feet

Download file: 20231210_BackOBennachie_walk1.gpx

Alternative walks:
From the Bennachie visitor centre there are are a few marked trails that can be combined such as:
Colony trail (orange) – This will take you past ruined houses and fields of Bennachies former colonists. 2.5 miles / 4 km
Discovery trail (black) – An easy forest walk 0.5 mile / 1 km

Bus departs 3pm for Aberdeen at 4pm.

• The above notes are for guidance only and are intended as an aid to be used along with a map and compass and/or a GPS device with OS maps.
• In the event of an emergency arising, the person in charge today should be notified, if possible, before the emergency services are contacted on 999.
• Committee member in charge of today’s walk is David Cruickshank. Mobile No. 07884695755
• If you are trying to book after the cut off time see the website front page for the booking secretary contact details.

Bookings