Aboyne, Dess and Mortlich Hill

Distance	Approximate Time	Height Gain	OS Map
14.01 kms	03:40 (hrs:mins)	260 metres	Explorer 405: Aboyne, Alford & Strathdon

Description

A walk with variety - passing through woodland, alongside a stream and through farmland and heathland. It also offers wonderful views from Mortlich Hill over Aboyne Loch and Deeside.

Starting in the station square in the village of Aboyne, this walk goes through a woodland path before opening out into pastoral land of a horse sanctuary alongside a stream. After a stretch on a quiet tarred road the walk follows part of the old Deeside railway line, before rising along a track leading through heather moorland. This then leads to an alpine like section before rising steeply to the top of Mortlich hill. The return route skirts some farmland, before going through another wooded area that leads past Aboyne Loch and golf course, before returning to the start. For those not wishing the steep climb to the top of Mortlich, there are two options to make this an easier walk with less climbing.