Kirkhill

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Explore the forest at Kirkhill

There’s plenty of space beneath Kirkhill’s trees for walking, running, cycling and horse riding. This working forest has a mountain bike fun park too, where you can practise those technical skills.

There are great views all round from the Tappie Tower, a Victorian folly. See if you can spot the Mither Tap – the hill at Bennachie forest away to the north.

You can download a guide to Kirkhill and the surrounding area in our forests in Aberdeenshire (PDF 4.1MB) map.

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Room for everyone

Kirkhill is popular with walkers, horse riders and cyclists. Please be considerate to others: there is room for everyone.

 

Walking trails

Tappie Tower Trail

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

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

3 ¾ miles /
5.9 km
Allow
2½ hours

More information...

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The trail winds its way through a range of forest scenery before a small path leads off to the Tappie Tower. The folk who built the tower in the 19th century knew what they were about: there’s a stunning view across Aberdeenshire.

Cycling trails

Mountain biking trails

The mountain bike fun park is just near the car park: it’s an ideal place to practice skills before trying more demanding places like the Moray Monster Trails.

Kirkhill’s wide trails are good for horse riding, and there’s plenty of space in the car park for horse boxes.

There’s a permanent orienteering course here too. Download a copy of the Kirkhill orienteering map (JPG 1.1MB).

Contact: Moray and Aberdeenshire Forest District

Address: Portsoy Road, Huntly

Postcode: AB54 4SJ

Telephone: 0300 067 6200

Email: morayaberdeenshire@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

How to get here

Kirkhill is on the north side of the A96, between the Dyce roundabout and Blackburn village.

The car park is at grid reference NJ 854 114.

Using SatNav?

AB21 0TU is the nearest postcode.

Public transport

Buses between Aberdeen and Inverurie (service 307) stop at Kirkhill. Ask to be let off at the crest of the hill before Blackburn. Take care if you need to cross the A96: it is a busy dual carriageway. You’ll find service details at Traveline Scotland.

Nearby places

Tyrebagger forest, just across the other side of the A96, offers quieter, shorter trails and the chance to spot some intriguing sculptures.

Countesswells and Foggieton, two other forests on the outskirts of Aberdeen, also have shorter trails just right for a stroll with your dog.

Pitfichie, about half an hour’s drive away, offers more challenging cross-country mountain bike routes on forest tracks.