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Top 10 Aberdeen Trails for Every Kind of Walker
I didn’t expect to fall in love with a city because of a walk, but then again, I’d never seen this side of Aberdeen. Who knew there was more to it than grey stone buildings and miles of golden beach?
All it took was one accidental detour into Seaton Park, and suddenly, I was hooked. These days, you’ll find me almost everywhere–some mornings with a coffee in hand at Johnston Garden, others on a lazy hike up Kincorth Hill. But don’t worry, nothing that’ll have your quads shaking.
So if you’re looking to explore Aberdeen on foot, I’ve rounded up the best trails for every kind of walker, whether you’ve got the kids in tow, your dog, or just your thoughts for company. Let’s dive right in!
Aberdeen Beach Promenade Walk
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Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 30 to 60 minutes
Length: 2.5 km one way
Route: Start at Footdee, walk north along the beachfront to Birdie of Don or vice versa
Best For: Sea views and dolphin spotting
When I need a walk where the background noise drowns my thoughts, I head over to Aberdeen Beach Promenade. There’s something about it that just melts my worries away. Crashing waves, seagulls flying, and the salty ocean breeze? That’s basically free therapy.
And when you just want to soak it all in, there are plenty of benches to choose from to take a breather. Though you may not even need one. The trail is well-maintained and easy to tread on, ideal for casual walkers or those pushing prams.
Pro Tip: Don’t skip visiting the nearby coffee shops at The Pier, such as Sanddollar Cafe and Beach Tree Cafe
Donmouth Local Nature Reserve Walk
Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 1–1.5 hrs
Length: 3–5 km
Route: Begin at Seaton Park or the Bridge of Don, and then follow the River Don downstream to where it meets the sea
Best For: Sunrise or sunset watching
Tucked away on Aberdeen’s north side, the Donmouth Local Nature Reserve Walk is one of those hidden gems that deserves way more love. The coastal views make it a beautiful spot for a stroll or quiet jog.
It’s easygoing paths and great if you’re out with a pram or wheelchair. It’s also perfect for wildlife spotting, and it genuinely feels like you’ve escaped to the countryside, even though it’s merely 10 minutes away from the city centre.
Pro Tip: Stay alert, stick to the marked paths, and follow the signs, as some areas by the dune and river edges may be unstable or even have quicksand-like mud, especially by the estuary.
Seaton Park to Brig o’ Balgownie Trail
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Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Duration: 1.5 hours
Length: 5–6km
Route: Begin at Seaton Park, follow the River Don north to the 13th-century Bridge o’ Balgownie
Best For: Heritage walkers and quiet wildlife encounters
What I love about the walk from Seaton Park to Bridge o’ Trail is that it starts at a beautiful leafy park towards St Machar’s Cathedral and Wallace Tower to the medieval Brig o’ Balgownie, Scotland’s oldest standing stone bridge.
In between these scenic landmarks, you’ll be following the peaceful River Don, accompanied by riverbank birds, otters, and even roe deer in the river valley, especially in late spring. Honestly, sometimes I feel like I’m Snow White just waiting for the animals to start belting tunes.
Pro Tip: Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes with a good grip, as the stone bridge can get slippery when wet, and the riverside trails may be muddy.
Hazlehead Park Trails
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Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Duration: 1–2 hours
Length: 2–6 km
Route:
- Blue: 4 km, 1 hour
- Purple: 5 km, 1 hour 15 minutes
- Red: 6 km, 1 hour 30 minutes
Best For: Families and peaceful forest walks
One of the funnest trails on this list is Hazlehead Park, perfect for children and the young at heart. There are a bunch of things to do, and I mean loads.
You can get lost in the hedge maze (Fun fact: This was planted in 1935), admire the beautiful blooms at the Queen Mother’s and North Sea Memorial Rose Garden, or walk any of the 3 trails, to name a few.
Pro Tip: Join the Hazlehear Parkrun every Saturday at 9:30 AM, a friendly 5 km trail through the park’s woodlands. Don’t worry, everyone’s welcome!
Duthie Park and River Dee Walk
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Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Duration: 20 minutes — 4 hours
Length: 1 km–11.5 km
Route:
- Duthie Park Loop: Start at any point in the circuit around the Victorian park
- Extended Dee Riversider: Begin at Duthie Park, then make your way to Allenvale Cemetery or east to the harbour by following the River Dee westward.
Best For: Families and casual joggers
Duthie Park is perfect for light walks when you just need to get off your seat and get your steps in. It’s paved and flat, making it pram and wheelchair-friendly. It even has a café, play areas, and family-friendly facilities.
If you change your mind, you can even extend to the Dee Riversider, which is great if you enjoy the challenge of mixed terrain and an immersive nature experience.
Pro Tip: You can park at the Riverside Drive Car Park on the southeastern side of Duthie Park, just note the 3-hour limit on weekdays, or find street parking nearby.
Johnston Garden and Walker Dam Trail
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Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Duration: 10 minutes – 1 hour
Length: 0.6 km – 2.5 km
Route:
- Johnston Garden: Start at any point in Johnson Garden through the circular loop
- Extended Walker Dam Trail: Begin at Johnson Garden, then head over to Walker Dam’s trailhead in Craigiebuckler or Springfield through Springfield Road or the trailhead
Best For: Families, dog walkers, and casual hikers
The walk from Johnston Garden to Walker Dam Trail is another gentle path that’s best done with your four-legged friend. Trust me, there’s plenty of interesting things to sniff and the occasional squirrels to chase, er, I mean befriend.
It’s a pleasant way to spend a peaceful half-day outing surrounded by natural scenery. And if you’re up for more, you can easily extend your walk to Hazlehead or Duthie Park through nearby paths.
Pro Tip: There are plenty of picturesque spots by the Japanese-style arched bridge, winding streams, waterfalls, ponds, and rockeries, so bring a camera.
Footdee Heritage Walk
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Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Length: 1–2 km
Route: Start at the eastern end of the Aberdeen Beach Esplanade near Queens Links until you reach Footdee, then head over to South Square and North Square, the hearts of the village.
Best For: Scenic wandering and heritage lovers
For a nautical-themed walk, head to Footdee, a secret spot worth visiting. It’s actually a residential fishing village rich in Scottish maritime history with plaques and history boards, especially by the shipyard sites, while you’re wandering about.
While it’s a quaint village that’ll take less than an hour to explore, you’ll easily get lost going about every nook and cranny, admiring the decorated sheds, vibrant gardens, and 19th-century fishing designs by John Smith.
Pro Tip: Visit early in the morning or evening for a quieter experience with less foot traffic, more charm.
Tyrebagger Hill Forest Trail
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Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 1.5–2 hours
Length: 5–7 km
Route: From the Tyrebagger Hill car park, go through the woodland to the viewpoints.
- Beech Tree Trail: 1.3 km, 30 minutes
- Robber’s Trail: 2.3 km, 1 hour
- Tappie Tower Loop: 6.1 km, 1.5–2 hours
Best For: Casual hikers, families, and bikers
Looking to ease the little ones into hiking? Tyrebagger Hill Forest Trail is perfect, with wide, gravelled paths easy to manage even with kids on bikes and prams.
If you’ve got younger kids in tow, the Beech Tree Trail is ideal. It’s gentle, scenic, and only takes 30 minutes. With curious, older kids? Try Robber’s Trail, which continues deeper into the forest with an old hideout and an iron mine.
Popular among many walkers is extending to the summit, where you’ll find Tappie Tower. Aside from a satisfying forest trek, you’ll enjoy sweeping views of the hills.
Pro Tip: Apart from following the clearly marked pathways, grab a leaflet at the trailhead or scan the QR trail card and save a copy on your phone.
Brimmond Hill Summit Walk
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Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Duration: 1–1.5 hours
Length: 3.5 km
Route: From Kingwells, Borrowstone Road, or Brimmond Hill car park, follow the path to the summit
Best For: 360° views of Aberdeen’s cityscape and countryside
Here’s a fun one for you: Brimmond Hill is actually the highest point in Aberdeen, sitting at 266m elevation. So it’s no mystery that many head to the summit for the views. You get panoramic views of the city and countryside.
And don’t get me started on how magical it is at sunrise, sunset, especially on a clear day. There are loads of open spaces to roam and fresh air to soak in, perfect for a fun day out with your furry friend or with the little ones.
Pro Tip: Bring extra layers as the wind at the summit is stronger than at the base, especially in poor weather.
Kincorth Hill Nature Reserve Walk
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Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Duration: 45–60 minutes
Length: 2.3–3 km
Route: Begin at the entrance, either from Nigg Way or Abbotswell Crescent, then follow the path to the viewpoints
Best For: Gentle inclined walks and easygoing loops
Affectionately called “the Gramps” by locals because of its hilltop character. Despite its rugged terrain and elevation, the Kincorth Hill Nature Reserve Walk remains a popular walking trail for families, dog walkers, and runners.
The main circuit, even at a gentle pace, takes about 45 to 60 minutes to accomplish with mild climbs that don’t skimp on the views. Honestly, it’s the perfect little escape, close enough to home.
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve sat on those very benches with a sandwich in hand. The views? They never get old. Put on some good tunes and you’ll feel like you’ve wandered into the final scene of a coming-of-age film. Roll credits!
Pro Tip: In the mood for a little hunt? Take the sculpture trail featuring a series of outdoor sculptures.
