Getting here
Bennachie is covered by OS map Landranger Series 38. The Grid reference for the Bennachie Centre is NJ698216.
You cannot get all the way to Bennachie by bus. There are good bus links as far as Inverurie. To get to the different car parks from Inverurie, see details under each one. For details of public transport visit http://www.travelinescotland.com
There are four car parks to choose from around Bennachie.
Car park charges
Car park charges at Bennachie Centre and Back O'Bennachie car parks.
Bennachie Centre - all vehicles for one hour - £1; cars up to 3 hrs - £2; car all day - £3; minibus/ coach all day - £12.
Back O'Bennachie - all vehicles one hour - £1; cars up to 3 hrs - £1.50; car all day - £2; minibus/ coach all day - £8.
Annual Season tickets are available by contacting 01466 794161.
Bennachie Centre Car Park
Several footpaths start from this large car park to the east of Bennachie, including the route to Mither Tap, some forest walks and an all ability walk. It is next to the Bennachie Centre. Buses can park here too. Toilets at the Centre are open when the centre is open (see below). Grid Ref NJ698216.
From here you can walk the Colony, Discovery, Turnpike and Mither Tap Timeline trails, also the Gordon Way.
Directions by car: Travel on the A96 north past Inverurie. Approximately two miles beyond Inverurie take a road on the left sign posted to Chapel of Garioch. At Chapel of Garioch turn left (sign posted to the Bennachie Centre). Follow this road for two miles. The car park is sign posted.
By public transport: To get to the Bennachie Centre from Inverurie, take the Inverurie to Huntly bus and ask to be dropped off at Pitcaple (6 miles north west of Inverurie). You’ll need to walk by road from there (about 45 minutes). Alternatively, get a taxi from Inverurie.
For Sat Nav use postcode AB51 5HX.
Introduction of car park charges. More Information
Back O'Bennachie Car Park
From this large car park, north west of the area, footpaths lead up to Oxen Craig and other summits on Bennachie. There are some shorter trails in the woodland. The car park can take buses too. There is a large picnic area, with public toilets and BBQ site. Grid Ref: NJ660245.
From here you can walk the Wild Wood, Working Wood and Mither Tap Quarry trails.
Directions by car: Follow the A96 north from Inverurie for approximately ten miles. At the 'Oyne Fork', turn left onto the B9002 which is sign posted to Insch. After three miles on this road, and after passing Oyne village, turn left up to the Back O'Bennachie car park (signposted).
By public transport: To get to Back O’Bennachie, check the timetables to get an Inverurie to Huntly bus that goes via Oyne. Continue to the west side of Oyne (Huntly side) and look for the road end signposted Back O'Bennachie car park. The forest is about 20 minutes walk along this small road.
For Sat Nav use postcode AB52 6RB.
Introduction of car park charges. More Information
Donview Car Park
This small car park, in the south of the area, is the starting point for walks around Millstone Hill which link up with the wider network of paths at Bennachie. There is an old visitor centre there, now used by five local artists as a studio. Their studio is usually open on Sundays from 11.00am - 3.00pm. Grid Ref: NJ673189.
From here you can walk the Millstone Hill and Mither Tap Heather Brig trails.
Directions by car: From Monymusk, head north on minor road towards Blairdaff. After approximately 1.5 miles, the car park is sign posted.
By public transport: To get to Donview, you can get to Monymusk (nearest village) from Inverurie by bus. From there it is approximately 6 miles by road to the car park.
Rowantree Car Park
This car park, run by Aberdeenshire Council, is at the northern side of Bennachie, with a clear trail leading to Mither Tap. There are seasonal toilets at the car park. NJ691243.
From here you can walk the Mither Tap Maiden Causeway trail.
Directions by car: Follow the A96 north from Inverurie for approximately ten miles. Turn left just before the Oyne fork and take first right, sign posted Rowantree Car Park.
By public trasport: To get to Rowantree, take the Inverurie to Huntly bus and ask to be let off just before the “Oyne Fork” (junction). The road to Rowantree car park is signposted from the minor road before the fork. It is now about three miles walk on the public road.
Accessibility at Bennachie
The Bennachie Centre car park has designated disabled parking bays. The Centre itself is single story and the toilets are also wheelchair accessible.
The Discovery Trail, close to the centre, is firm with hardened compacted surfaces and suitable for those with limited mobility including wheelchairs. It is also buggy-friendly.
Gradients are kept to a minimum on this route. There are more details in the Aberdeenshire's Woodland Walks for All guide (PDF 370k).
Opening hours
The car parks at Bennachie are open all the time (see car park details above).
Bennachie Centre
The Centre and toilets will be open weekends only in March, 9.30am - 4pm.
From 1st April the Centre and toilets will be open 10.30am - 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday, closed on a Monday.
The Centre is managed by Aberdeenshire Council and the Bennachie Centre Trust. Contact the centre on 01467 681470 or email bennachie.warden@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Address: Bennachie Centre, near Chapel of Garioch, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, AB51 5HX.
Entry is free.
Dogs, picnics and weather
Dogs
Dogs are welcome at Bennachie, but please remember to flick the dog's mess off the path with a stick.
Picnics
There are picnic tables outside the Bennachie Centre, at Back O’Bennachie,at Donview and at Rowantree. There are some seats along our trails.
Hill conditions - be prepared
Be prepared - Some of the trails are on hilly ground – please wear suitable footwear and take appropriate clothes to suit the likely weather conditions. This is quite a high hill and conditions can change quickly on the top, especially in the winter. Please be prepared for this. Always take a map, know where you are at all times, know which car park you left from and how to get back to it. Collect a trail map from the Bennachie Centre or from the car park at Donview.
Note that all the waymarkers have grid references on the back of them. Using an OS map, this might help reassure you of where you are. Make sure you can read grid references on the OS map before you go out.
Weather - Check the weather forecast before you go.
Forest trail updates
You should also look at our page for Moray and Aberdeenshire which contains details of any trail closures or diversions, including for Bennachie. See the Updates page.
