Bennachie Visitor Centre

The best place to start for Bennachie first-timers

The curving graceful ridge of Bennachie stands proud in the landscape and stirs the hearts of everyone who comes here. It’s Aberdeenshire’s best-loved forest, an ancient place with colourful stories, wide-ranging wildlife, amazing archaeology and panoramic views from its distinctive tops.

There are four different ways into the hill, each with a picnic area and forest trails. But if you’ve never been to Bennachie before, the best place to head for is the Bennachie Visitor Centre.

Walking trails

Bennachie Visitor Centre route card (PDF)

Walking

Discovery Trail

A gentle wander through the forest. Wildlife rubbing posts are dotted along the trail; collect paper and crayons from the visitor centre.

A smooth firm trail, with short gentle slopes and no obstacles.

½ miles / 1.0 km

½ hours

More information

Check the Bennachie Discovery Trail Phototrail for full details about access along the route.

Walking

Colony Trail

An easy-going trail winding through attractive open woodland and the ruined houses and fields of the Bennachie colonists.

Firm and generally smooth, with some uneven areas. Generally moderate slopes, with some short fairly steep parts. Includes steps, roots and rocky areas.

2 ½ miles / 4.0 km

1 ¼ hours

More information

Find out more about the colonists who lived and worked on Bennachie in the 1800s along this route.

Walking

Mither Tap Timeline Trail

Climb to the rocky granite top of the Mither Tap, with its superb views and impressive Pictish fort.

A very steep, rough trail with roots, rough rock steps and drains. Narrow in places. The summit is slab rock and can be slippery when wet.

3 ¾ miles / 6.0 km

2 ¾ hours

More information

The trail will take you back in time, through forest planted in the 1950s and into a landscape formed over 10,000 years since the last Ice Age.

Activities

Get to the top

Many visitors want to climb the Mither Tap, the most distinctive of Bennachie’s nine summits. The shortest route is the steep Timeline Trail from Bennachie Visitor Centre, but there are plenty of other ways to the top. From Rowantree car park a popular route follows an ancient trackway, and from Back O’Bennachie there’s a longer trail that’ll take you through an old quarry. From Donview you can climb Millstone Hill, a remote, less well-known summit, and continue to the Mither Tap for a really big day out.

For more adventure, try the Gordon Way, an 11 ½ mile (18.5 km) route through forests, farmland and moorland that starts (or ends) at Bennachie Visitor Centre. All of these trails cross open country and hill ground, where the weather can change quickly. Check our advice on hillwalking before you set off.

Wildlife watching

Bennachie is home to a great diversity of wildlife, including the charismatic red squirrel, and many different species of birds.

Come and watch these fascinating forest animals from our new wildlife viewing area near the Bennachie Visitor Centre. We’re planting wildlife-friendly trees here and putting up information panels to help you identify the birds and animals you spot.

Facilities and access

Ancient monument

Mountain access

Walking

All ability trails

Picnic area

Toilets

Parking (charge)

Visitor centre

Opening times

The visitor centre is open until the end of October.

It's run by the Bennachie Centre Trust. For more details, contact them on 01467 681470 or email bennachie.warden@aberdeenshire.gov.uk.

Car parking information

The car park is open at any time, all through the year. Secure bike parking is available.

Payment options: coin, card or RingGo

The charges to park at Bennachie Visitor Centre are:

• £2 for up to 1 hour
• £3 for up to 3 hours
• £4 for all day
• £12 for minibus or coach all day 

We recommend you bring both coins and card with you, just in case. Please park with care and consideration. In particular please park in designated parking areas only and do not block entrances or gates. Nearby car parks with free parking can be found in our local forest list without the £ symbol. 

Annual parking pass available:

Available in advance by downloading the relevant application form and emailing to the Regional Office. Please read our Annual Pass terms and conditions before applying.

Blue Badge holders park free. Please display your Blue Badge clearly.

More parking info

Accessibility

Getting here

From the first roundabout on the A96 at Inverurie, continue north towards Huntly. After about 3.5 miles (5.5 km) on the A96, take a road on the left signposted to Chapel of Garioch. Take the first left in Chapel of Garioch signposted to the Bennachie Centre. Follow this road for about 2 miles (3.2 km) continuing until the next brown Bennachie Centre sign where you will reach the car park at grid reference NJ 698 216.

Using SatNav?

• Nearest postcode: AB51 5HY
• Please be aware, this postcode is accurate but covers a wide area. When approaching the area, follow the directions above.

Public transport

The nearest point for public transport is the village of Pitcaple, about 3 miles (4.8 km) away on the A96. It is served by buses between Huntly and Aberdeen. Alternatively, you could take a taxi from Inverurie, about 6.5 miles (10km) away, which is served by buses and trains. Check Traveline Scotland for details.

Get directions