Suie Hill to The Bennachie Centre – The Gordon Way

The walk today follows two sections of the West Gordon Way from Suie Hill through Whitehaugh Forest and then on to Bennachie where it contours the ridge on the south side of the range before descending to the Visitor Centre car park. The route is waymarked at intervals by wooden posts bearing a hexagonal ‘GW’ insignia.

The walk commences at the highest point of the secondary road (“Old Military Road“) from Bridge of Alford to Clatt where there is a car park (NGR.547.232). Take the track on the east side of the road heading towards Suie Cairn and then proceed over the tops of Suie Hill (415m), Black Hillock, and then Knock Saul (412m). The track then leaves the trees near the 315m.spot height on the map and contours the southeast side of Satter Hill, before descending to the B.992 Whitehouse/Auchleven road below Brindy Hill (244m). Look for a marker post a little south of this point on the east side of the road and take the track past Towmill which climbs up round the north shoulder of Corrie Hill and then over the north side of Black Hill heading towards Hermit Seat. The track contours the south side of this latter top and round the south shoulder of Watch Craig to the col between it and Oxen Craig (NGR 657.223). The waymarked route continues round the south shoulder of Oxen Craig to cross the Garbat Burn, near Bruntwood Tap, before descending through the trees towards a forest road at the location known as the “Heather Brig” (NGR.679.212). Do Not Cross The Burn to the forest road, but pick up a waymarked path on your left, before the burn, which heads eastwards through the trees for about a mile on the north side of the Clachie Burn before joining up with the path coming down from the Mither Tap. The combined track then descends from here to the Visitor Centre car park where the bus will be waiting. (NGR.698.217).

Walk Distance 11 miles (17.75 km) Total Ascent: 2,057 ft (447m)

Shorter Circular Walk – Bennachie Visitor Centre to Millstone Hill & Back.

Leave visitor centre & head South West along the Gordon Way for about 100 m. Turn left to go through a boundary & follow the muddy track  South Eastwards crossing a small stream & a house until reaching a path junction at NJ 699212. Turn right here & travel Westwards for about 1 km  turning left at the path junction at NJ 688 212. Head Southwards for approx.. 0.5 km to reach a Y junction & take the right hand track to walk in a Soth Westerly direction for 1.5 km approx.. until you reach a junction of paths just North of Scare Hill. Take the left hand track (there should be a sign post here) & head South Westwards downhill & ignore the track going off on the left at NJ 681 193 until you reach a junction of paths just East of the Donview parking area. Turn right at this junction & head North West for approx.. 0.75 km & then  leave this track & head uphill in a Northly direction  for around 1 km until you reach the top of Millstone Hill. From the top head North East downhill until you reach a path junction. Turn left at this junction -grid ref. NJ 682 209  & continue North West until reaching a track. Turn left at this junction & after a few metres leave this track & go left heading North to reach the Gordon Way. Turn right here & follow the signs in an easterly direction for the Gordon Way to return to the Visitor Centre where the bus will be waiting.

Walk Distance:10.5 km (6.5 miles)     Total Ascent: 390 m (1,280 feet).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Bus departs at 4.30pm and we expect to return home to Aberdeen around 6.30pm.
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 O/S maps. Please note you can only view the gpx maps by using an appropriate app e.g. OS, Outdooractive or similar.
In the event of an emergency arising, the person in charge of the walk today should be notified before the emergency services are contacted on 999.
Today’s member in charge is Mo Ironside;  Mobile No 07845 293258.