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Kirkhill

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Latest forest information

22 September 2023:  The Mountain Bike Funpark will be closed Thursday 28 September and Friday 29 September and also Monday 2 October and Tuesday 3 October while essential ground preparation operations take place. It will be open to use at the weekend (Saturday 30 September and Sunday 1 October). 

22 August 2023: Harvesting work continues at Kirkhill but access to formal trails is maintained.  Please follow all on site signage and do not remove or damage barriers that are in place. This puts our employees and other members of the public at risk.

About

Walk, run or cycle to the Tappie Tower

There’s plenty of space beneath Kirkhill’s trees for walking, running, cycling and horse riding. This working forest has a mountain bike fun park too, where you can practise your technical skills.

There are great views all round from the Tappie Tower, a Victorian folly. See if you can spot the Mither Tap – the hill at Bennachie forest away to the north.

Walking trails

Kirkhill route card (PDF)

Walking

Tappie Tower Trail

Climb through the forest to the 19th century folly at Tappie Tower, which provides panoramic views from the North Sea to Bennachie.

Firm and mostly wide gravel surface, with some uneven and slightly rocky sections. One long fairly steep slope. Parts may be wet after rain.

Strenuous trail grade icon
3 ¾ miles / 5.9 km

Allow
2½ hours

More information

The trail winds its way through a range of forest scenery before a small path leads off to the Tappie Tower. The folk who built the tower in the 19th century knew what they were about: there’s a stunning view across Aberdeenshire.

Activities

Mountain bike fun park

The mountain bike fun park is just near the car park: it’s an ideal place to practice skills before trying more demanding places like the Moray Monster Trails.

Horse riding

Kirkhill’s wide trails are good for horse riding, and there’s plenty of space in the car park for horse boxes.

Orienteering

Why not test your navigational skills on Kirkhill's orienteering.

Kirkhill orienteering map (PDF 1.4MB)

Getting here

Kirkhill is on the north side of the A96, between the Dyce roundabout and Blackburn village. Slow down when you see the turn-off signposted for 'Kirkton of Skene' - The entrance to Kirkhill forest is opposite this.

Using SatNav?

AB21 0TU is the nearest postcode.

Get directions

Get in touch

Have a question or suggestion for improvement?

Phone
0300 067 6380 (option 2)
More contact information

Nearby forests

Light streaming through a mixed woodland with ferns, Tyrebagger, Aberdeenshire and Moray District,

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Distance from 'Kirkhill': 0.17 miles
Wide woodland path through moody, dark conifer woodland at Countesswells Forest. A beech tree trunk dominates to the right of the picture.

Rightly popular with walkers, joggers and cyclists alike

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Distance from 'Kirkhill': 4.32 miles
Aerial view through broad leaf trees of a valley full of fields and trees turning orange for autumn, in the back is a chain of hills

Look for hidden sculptures in this hillside wood

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Parking
Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Distance from 'Kirkhill': 54.93 miles