Belwade Farm, Bell Wood and the Dee, Aboyne

Summary

This figure-of-eight walk explores the varied countryside around Aboyne, including Bell Wood, a section of the Old Deeside road (now a path), and a stretch along the banks of the River Dee. The walk passes the Belwade Farm horse centre, which has a cafe, at around half-way.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Very varied; tarmac lanes, woodland paths, farm tracks, crumbling riverbanks, and a section of old path which can be wet in places.

Getting there

Start

Aboyne.

Public Transport

Buses to Aboyne.

Start Grid Ref

NO528986

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 10km / 6.25 miles
Time: 2 - 3 hours
Ascent: 130m (Profile)

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OL59 Aboyne

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Walk Description

User reports (2)

Stage 1

Park in the car park on the south side of the A93 in the centre of Aboyne, where there is a row of shops and services. Begin the walk by heading to the east end of the car park, then turn right (chemist on the corner) to reach Station Square, where there is further parking. Turn left through the square and follow the road signed for Aboyne industrial estate. Carry on to the very end of this road, then continue on the tarmac lane ahead, with the Tarland burn on your left. Continue ahead, ignoring a footbridge.

Stage 2

After a further kilometre a second footbridge is reached. The walk returns to this point after the loop around Bell Wood and Belwade, so you can shorten the route by omitting Stages 3- 5. For the full walk, cross the bridge and follow the constructed path uphill into the woods. At a cross-roads turn right to continue through the woods. Continue ahead at two further cross-paths, eventually signed for the bike park.

Stage 3

When the mountain bike park is reached, keep to the path on the right hand side (used by bikes for heading back up). The path doubles back left (note the wooden shelter off to the right) and leads up to a t-junction. Turn right here; the path soon crosses a wooden boardwalk. At the end of the boardwalk turn left, then turn right after another 100m (by a signpost). The path now leads to the edge of the woods, and turns left along them. When it meets a farm track, turn right along it. The track leads to Belwade Farm, a horse welfare centre which does visits (with booking) and has a cafe.

Stage 4

Follow the main track up through the farmyard, then left along the track. Keep right on the main track at a junction beyond (house visible). At the next junction, the cafe and visitor centre are off to the right, whilst our walk continues ahead along the main tarmac entrance track. Follow this when it curves left, passing through an area of woodland. It emerges from the trees and curves right. At junction, where a track leads off right, turn left through a gate onto a narrow footpath. This follows the line of the old Deeside road but is now a narrow path, and can be wet underfoot in places. Continue ahead through another gate.

Stage 5

The path climbs gradually between lots of gorse bushes, then leads through another gate with an area of woodland on the right. There are several further gates as it continues, always keeping straight ahead. There are good views as the path becomes a grassy track and finally begins to descend. Do not take the path into Bell Wood on the left; (with a 'Welcome to Bell Wood' sign just along it), continuing ahead for with mature Beech on one side and telegraph poles on the other. After another 300m turn left into the woods; follow this path until it meets a track at a staggered junction - keep straight ahead here, heading downhill.

Stage 6

Keep ahead at two more cross-roads to rejoin the outward route and continue down to the footbridge originally crossed in Stage 2. Cross this once more, turn right and then left through a kissing gate onto a path along the edge of a field (sewage works on your left). This soon reaches the River Dee; turn right to head upriver. The banks are eroding greatly and the path is rough at times. It rounds the right edge of some riverside woodlands before continuing by the water once more. Cross a wee bridge at the 'Jetty' Pool and continue upriver; the path eventually improves.

Stage 7

In a small area of woodland on the edge of Aboyne fork right to follow a path up to the road. Turn right along this to return to the start, passing the beautiful green which is on the left side of the road.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Stonehaven Hotels

Aberdeenshire B&B

Stonehaven cottages

Aberdeenshire hostels

Glamping and Camping

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