This walk gradually climbs up the Gillreeburn, through pine and larch forest, until you reach the open hill. Various summits on Bennachie can be climbed on this walk. Little Oxen Craig (425m), Oxen Craig (528m) the highest point on Bennachie, Craigshannoch (455m) and Mither Tap (518m). The path decends to the Bennachie Centre.
You can download a map of the Bennachie trails from the What's of Interest panel on the right of this page.
How to get there:
Summit walk to Bennachie can be started from Back O'Bennachie Car Park in Bennachie. Oyne, Insch, and Chapel of Garioch are the nearest towns or villages.
Follow the A96 north from Inverurie for approximately 10 miles. At the 'Oyne Fork', turn left onto the B9002 which signposted to Insch. After 3 miles on this road, and after passing Oyne village, turn left up to the Back O'Bennachie Car Park (sign posted Back O'Bennachie Car Park 1 mile).
OS Grid Reference: NJ 662 245
Mammals: look out for red squirrels.
Birds: In the woods look out for great tits, coal tits, blue tit,long tail tits, chaffinch, wood warblers, chiff chaff and many more.
Wren can often be seen on the forest floor nesting in the piles of branches.
On the open hill look out for grouse, pipits, skylarks and buzzards.
Insects and reptiles: Northern Eggar moth caterpillars are often found feeding on the heather - brown and hairy!
Habitats: Above the tree line is moorland which is dominated by ling heather ( Calluna vulgaris) which flowers in mid August. Look out on the hill for Cloudberry with raspberry like fruit in August. Other plants include cranberry (Cowberry) or bearberry.