Forest of Deer to Mintlaw Station (by Pitfour Lake).

Our walk today takes us into Aberdeenshire to visit the forest walks near Mintlaw. The walk is a through-route, so members who require a shorter, or different walk please indicate your intentions with your committee member in charge of the bus.

The walk commences at the carpark of White Cow Wood (NJ 956 513) where we walk eastwards into the Forest of Deer. At a junction (NJ 963 514), go left and follow the forest trail eastwards until it swings southwards. Keep going south past a track on the right (NJ 974 513) to reach the carpark at Drinnies Wood. Continue southwards past the old Observatory (NJ 974 499; it is a short detour to visit, but it is currently closed) until the path swings southwestwards to a T-junction (NJ 974 496). Turn right and continue westwards into Loudon Wood to reach a T junction (NJ 958 496). Turn left here to reach another junction (NJ 956 493). Turn left and continue eastwards to eventually emerge from the forest into open ground at a junction of tracks (NJ 968 492). Follow the good path northwards, then eastwards to reach the western end of Pitfour Lake (NJ 973 489). A short detour to the south takes you to the Temple of Theseus, formerly a bathing house but now a ruin. Retrace your steps to follow the track around the north side of the lake to reach a bridge (NJ 980 488). Cross the bridge and continue southwards to the A950 Mintlaw/New Pitsligo road. Cross the road and join the footpath on the right of the B9030 to quickly reach the Formartine and Buchan railway line (NJ 978 482). Turn left to follow the path eastwards for about a mile to Mintlaw Station where our bus will be parked (NJ 992 485)

Total distance 7.5 miles

Total ascent 66 ft, total descent 262 ft

Download file: Forest of Deer.gpx

Shorter alternatives:

1. Two short cuts of the above route can be can be taken if wished. 1. Turn right at the junction at NJ 963 514 and follow the path roughly southwards to rejoin the main walk at NJ 974 496 (reducing the distance by 0.9 miles). 2. Turn right, then left at NJ 968 497 and go southwards to rejoin the route at NJ 968 494 (reducing the distance by 1.3 miles).
2. Remain on the bus to Mintlaw Station and walk a circuit of Pifour Lake and part of the forest to the west. From Mintlaw Station, it is also possible to walk in Aden Country Park, with an extensive network of woodland trails.

Bus leaves Mintlaw Station at 3.30 pm.

Committee member in charge is Janet Rickard 07919 587428