Balmedie beach and Country Park

Summary

Pass through the magnificent dunes to reach the sweeping sandy beach at Balmedie and watch the North Sea waves crash in. Return past some world war two pill boxes to the car park where there is a good children's play area and toilets. The walk can easily be extended by exploring the many paths amidst the dunes.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Dunes, beach, boardwalk path and minor road.

Getting there

Start

Balmedie North Beach car park.

Public Transport

Bus to Balmedie.

Start Grid Ref

NJ976180

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 2km / 1.25 miles
Time: 1 hour
Ascent: 10m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (1)

Stage 1

Follow the road from the A90 through Balmedie, past Balmedie House, to the north car park for Balmedie Country Park. Here there is the Sand Bothy information centre, children's play area, toilets and a picnic area. Start by walking between the Sand Bothy and children's play area and turning right along a tarmac path. Follow this to a tarmac lane, then turn left along this (signed for The Beach), passing some old buildings and then onto the boardwalk.

Stage 2

This leads through the dunes and out onto the beach, alongside a burn.

Stage 3

The dunes relent at the vast beach. The dune system stretches 23 km from Aberdeen to the Ythan estuary at Newburgh. Turn right to head south along the beach. Even at high tide there is usually a strip of sand to walk on, but care should be taken in very stormy weather.

Stage 4

Follow the beach until the outflow of another burn is reached, with concrete pillboxes from World War Two at the foot of the dunes. To find the return route double back slightly and head through a dip in the dunes.

Stage 5

Pass through the dip, aiming for a staircase which ascends the next row of dunes beyond. At the top are more defences which were built to defend against an invasion that never happened during the second world war. Descend the far side of the dunes to reach the main path and follow this to the public toilets visible ahead.

Stage 6

Turn right here and follow the surfaced road. When it reaches an information board turn right and then left to rejoin the outward route and return to the start.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Huntly Hotels

Aberdeenshire B&B

Huntly cottages

Aberdeenshire hostels

Glamping and Camping

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