A varied exploration of Hazlehead Park in west Aberdeen, taking in woods, formal gardens and golf course. A great family park with giant maze, pets corner, play park and cafe.
Clear paths, can be muddy in winter.
Bus from Aberdeen city centre.
Hazlehead Park car park.
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Start from the car park behind the cafe in Hazlehead Park, head up the entrance driveway until the car park is reached. From here go into the park opposite, immediately passing the toilet block and cafe building. At the main path in front of the cafe turn right, heading west through the park. At a cross-paths, a signed detour to the left visits the formal rose gardens, home to a moving memorial to the 167 men who lost their lives in the Piper Alpha oil rig disaster in 1988.
A detour to the right passes a granite sculpture to reach the Hazlehead Maze - Scotland's oldest maze. The maze, first planted in 1935, has an admission charge but presents a real challenge to anyone who hasn't studied it on Google Earth first. Return to the main path and continue west. The next garden off on the left is another Rose Garden, this time dedicated to the Queen Mother; there's a lovely sculpture of a woman and a dove by the entrance. The walk however continues along the main path to soon reach the edge of the formal park.
Go through the gateway and across the track to follow the wide path between the golf courses, following the sign for Anderson Woods. Hazlehead Park was laid out as the estate of Hazlehead House, home of shipbuilder, William Rose. It was opened to the public in 1920 and is popular with runners, horse riders, mountain bikers, as well as walkers and families. At the T junction turn right, signed for Anderson Woods.
When the path forks keep left, passing a wooden shelter and then forking right at the next junction signed Hazlehead and Anderson Wood Trail. The path meanders through the dense pines and then through an area of mixed woodland with Aberdeen crematorium visible on the left. The path swings left and almost reaches a track before bending right to remain in the woods. Keep straight ahead at the next junction where there is a parallel track; the two routes then join and head left through more woodland.
The wide path eventually runs alongside a playing field, keep left here before passing a small play area on the left to reach Groats Road. Turn right and follow the pavement to a t-junction. Go straight ahead through the stone gates back into the formal park once more. Continue on the main path which bears right to pass a conifer garden and then to an open space, with an impressive children's play area away to the left, before the cafe is reached. To return to the car park at the start turn right alongside the cafe.
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