Correen Hills circuit, near Alford

The Correen Hills are an area of rolling, open heather moorland, rising to 518m at the gentle dome of Lord Arthur's Seat. They give a very pleasant circular walk from near the tiny hamlet of Tullynessle.

Terrain

Grass and heather tracks; a little rougher and wetter in places.

Public Transport

None to start. Traveline Scotland.

Start

Start of track to Dubston Farm, Tullynessle. Map and directions.

Users' reports

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 15km / 9.5 miles
Time: 4 - 4.5 hours
Ascent: 365m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NJ548200

Summits Climbed

Sub 2000: Lord Arthur's Seat

Maps / GPS

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Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

From Tullynessle take the minor road past Cullyblean as far as the turning for Dubston; it is possible to park on the verge on the left (space for several cars) immediately before the turning. Begin the walk by heading along the lane to Dubston, passing to the left of the farm and then curving round to the right behind it. The track soon leads through a gate (Walkers' Welcome sign).

Stage 2

The track skirts a conifer plantation and soon leads through a second gate. The trees are soon left behind and the track crosses a small feeder burn before reaching a fork. Keep straight ahead here, heading uphill on a fainter grassy track (the main track curves right).

Stage 3

The track now climbs steadily up the Fouchie Shank, with ever expanding views back down the glen. Some Ordnance Survey maps show the route heading through a plantation, but these are actually bypassed with only scattered trees by the track. Ignore a branch off to the left and continue up until the foot of a line of grouse butts is reached; the track then swings left just beyond these, crossing straight over another track further on to climb onto the bald summit area of Lord Arthur's Hill. There is a substantial cairn off to the left of the track, but the summit trig point is reached by a short detour across the heather to the right.

Stage 4

This is the highest point in the Correen Hills, and the views are fairly extensive, taking in an array of Aberdeenshire's summits including The Buck, the Tap o'Noth, Bennachie and Morven. The quickest return for hillbaggers is to retrace your steps, but for the complete circular walk, continue along the track.

Stage 5

When the track forks take the right branch, descending until a clearer track is joined; turn right along this. The track continues across open moorland, keeping just north of the Wood of Logie. Keep straight ahead when a minor track branches left. The track soon becomes much grassier and more overgrown; on Edinbanchory Hill turn right to follow a branch that leads up onto Brux Hill and along the ridge. The track is a little rough and wet in one or two places. Pass some grouse butts and continue for another 2.5km or more until the track approaches two trees northeast of the top of Badingair Hill. Turn right just before reaching the trees onto on an overgrown track that cuts across the bealach to another track - an old route linking Tullynessle with Rhynie.

Stage 6

Turn right along this track; after rounding the head of a burn it descends Contlach Shank, soon passing the abandoned Correen Quarry - there is a wooden hut in the quarry on the left which may provide a useful shelter.

Stage 7

The track continues very pleasantly down to the Esset Burn, which may be crossed on stones in dry weather but could become a problem if in spate. Once across the burn the outward route is rejoined; continue along the track back to Dubston and the start.

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