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About Gordon Way Trail
This challenging long distance route runs from the Bennachie Centre to Suie in the west. Allow a day to complete the full trail.
An exciting shorter circuit can be done by walking along part of the Gordon Way, then climbing up onto the Bennachie plateau on the well-made path and returning to the Centre by Mither Tap summit.
Whatever you choose to do, the views from the Bennachie ridge are stunning. You can see up Deeside to the far hills beyond like Lochnagar.
- Download the Bennachie trail map (PDF 874k)
- Check before you go - for details of trail closures, diversions and changes to listed events see the updates page.
- All the signposts on the hill and in the forest have a plate on the back showing the grid reference of the point. If you are lost, this should help you find where you are.
How to get there:
Gordon Way Trail can be started from Bennachie in Forests of Moray and Aberdeenshire. Inverurie, Insch, Aberdeen, and Alford are the nearest towns or villages.
Bennachie Centre - 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 signposted.
Back O'Bennachie - Follow the A96 north from Inverurie for approximately ten miles. At the 'Oyne Fork', turn left onto the B9002 which signposted to Insch. After three miles on this road, and after passing Oyne village, turn left up to the Back O'Bennachie car park (sign posted).
Donview Car Park - From Monymusk, head north on minor road towards Blairdaff. After approximately 1.5 miles, the car park is sign posted.
Rowantree Car Park - Follow the A96 north from Inverurie for approximately ten miles. Turn left just before the Oyne fork and take first right, signposted Rowantree Car Park.
OS Grid Reference: NJ 698 216
For details of public transport visit http://www.travelinescotland.com
Wildlife
Mammals: Red squirrels can be seen occasionally. Roe deer can sometimes be seen in the woodland clearings. We have information about Red squirrel and Roe deer
Birds: In the conifer woodlands, birds such as crossbills, goldcrests, wrens, blackbirds, thrushes and chaffinches can be heard or seen.
Jays and great spotted woodpecker are often seen too, flying through the woodland.
On the open moorland, meadow pipits and grouse nest in the heather. Birds of prey such as buzzards or, in the summer, an occasional osprey can also be seen flying over the hill.
Habitats: Look out for acid flushes with bog asphodel and sundew.
| Bennachie Facilities. |
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| Grade of trail: |
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Trail waymarking:
Gordon Way symbols |
| Length of trail: Return route 18.5km or 11.5 miles |
| Approximate time of trail: 5 - 6 hours each way |
| Open or closed: open |
| Click here to find out what else you can do in this forest. |
Contact: |
| Liz Wallace 01466 794161 e-mail: liz.wallace@forestry.gsi.gov.uk |
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