Good way to Strathfinella Hill and Hill of Garvock with Kids

[WalkingWithKids]

Strathfinella Hill and Hill of Garvock near Laurencekirk with Kids (10, 13 y/o)

Hill no. 188, 189 - Sub2000 no. 98, 99

Strathfinella Hill
Stats:
Ascent - 275 m
Total distance - 3.7 km
Total time - 2h35m
Altitude gain - 270 m

Hill of Garvock
Stats:
Ascent - 50 m
Total distance - 4.2 km
Total time - 1h35m
Altitude gain - 38 m
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1. Good way to Strathfinella Hill from North Drumtochty Car Park

This is a good way up Strathfinella Hill from North Drumtochty Car Park.
The route described below is mostly on Mountain Biking Trails. However, some parts of the trails are washed out, overgrown, there are also fallen trees and therefore it seems the trails are not very often used by mountain bikers (I can not imagine anyone riding a bike there). We did not meet anyone. But in any case, be careful if you go this route.

Map of our route:

20240122-1-Strathfinella-Hill---Track.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

Elevation profile of our route:

We parked in the North Drumtochty Car Park and were warmly welcomed by Robin .

North Drumtochty Car Park next to the west entrance to Drumtochty Castle.

Robin that welcomed us.

From the car park we walked along the road for about 100 m to the west to the start of the path up. The path starts at one of the oldest Sitka spruce trees in Scotland.

Start of the path at Sitka spruce.

Information sign at the tree.

After a short distance we crossed a forest track and continued up along the next, second section of the path. The first few meters are very steep. It was wet and a bit slippery in places, but easy going. The second section ended on an overgrown track.

The start of the next, second section of the path.

The second section of the path.

The end of the second section.

The next, third part of the path leads through a felling area. We walked up an overgrown track. It was steep, but not very difficult. The third part through the felling area ended on a good forestry track.
There is also another option, to go up the biking trail. We used it on the way back, but I would say it was worse.

Overgrown track through the felling area.

We walked about 100 m along the forestry track towards the east to the start of the next, fourth section. The fourth section leads through a beautiful forest and ends on another forestry track.

The start of the fourth section of the path.

Through a beautiful forest.

To the start of the next, fifth section we walked about 300 m along the forestry track towards the west. The fifth section leads in the first part through a dense forest and there are a few fallen trees, but everything can be bypassed or climbed under.

The start of the fifth section of the path. The first few meters are very steep.

Through a dense forest.

Fallen trees.

The path then continues through young forest cover and the final section runs through the forest where after a few hundred meters it joins the firebreak that leads to the top of Strathfinella Hill.

Young forest cover.

Finally some view. :)

Path in the forest before joining the firebreak.

The triangulation pillar on the top of Strathfinella Hill lies outside the firebreak among the trees. No views.

The triangulation pillar is outside the firebreak.

Conni on the top of Strathfinella Hill.

Conni on the top, looking ESE towards the firebreak.

We retraced our steps, just took a different route through the felling area (third part of the path).

Some view on the way back. Looking NNE, over young forest cover.

When we got back on the good forestry track between the third and fourth sections, we only walked west about 100 m on it and then continue down the path through the felling area. The path was very steep and slippery in many places so we often walked alongside it. I think walking the overgrown track up was much better.

Upper part of the path through the felling area.

End of the path, walking beside the path.

We had lunch in the car and after that we moved to the second hill of the day.
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2. Hill of Garvock from Laurencekirk Viewpoint

This was a quit easy hike, made a bit uncomfortable by the headwind on the way to the top. The route from the car park to the top of the hill is mostly on tracks or paths, just in places it was pathless, on short grass.

Stats:
Ascent - 50 m
Total distance - 4.2 km
Total time - 1h35m
Altitude gain - 38 m

Map of our route:

Hill of garvock - route.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

Elevation profile of our route:

We parked in the Laurencekirk Viewpoint car park. From there, a grassy track starts towards the top of the hill. Right next to the car park is a locked metal gate which we had to climb over.

Laurencekirk Viewpoint car park and the locked metal gate in the back.

I read in reports that some people here had a problem with cows. There is some very useful information about this at the gate.

Very helpful info.

More info at the gate.

First we walked along grassy track (or parallel path) behind the gate. After about 800 m we reached the first farm track and followed it to the gate where the track ended.

Path and grassy track beyond the gate.

Open gate and the end of the first farm track.

Past the gate we continued pathless to two another locked gates.

Two gates to climb. Tower in sight.

After climbing over the gates we continued pathless on short grass and after about 300 m we reached another farm track that led us to the tower.

Another farm track and another open gate. Closer to the tower.

Tower of Johnston and triangulation pillar on the top of Hill of Garvock.

Conni on the top of Hill of Garvock, looking NW towards Laurencekirk.

It is possible to climb the tower, but there is a wide gap in the stairs near the top because three of the stairs are broken, so the kids did not climb to the top.

The tower entrance is on the south side of the tower.

Wide gap in the stairs near the top.

We returned the same way.