Duthie Park and the River Dee

Summary

Explore Duthie Park and then head out of Aberdeen along the banks of the mighty River Dee. Rough fishermen's paths lead out to Cults from where the much more straightforward return walk heads back to the Park along the line of the old Deeside railway.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Busy road crossing out of Duthie Park. Anglers' paths alongside the Dee are surprisingly rough going and can be overgrown when the bracken is high. Return is along cycle path.

Public Transport

Buses to Duthie Park.

Start

Duthie Park, Aberdeen. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 11.5km / 7.25 miles
Time: 2.5 - 4 hours
Ascent: 63m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NJ941043

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (4)

Stage 1

There is a car park along the southeastern edge of Duthie Park, which is well signed; the park is also served by buses. Begin the walk by veering right uphill on the main path, with the big slides to your right and the canoeing loch to the left. The park, covering 44 acres, was donated to the city by a Miss Duthie in 1880. The central area is a vast green space with a Victorian Bandstand. It's also worth visiting the David Welch Winter Gardens, a series of glasshouses; the various zones include an arid area with the UK's largest collection of cacti, as well as impressive tropical and temperate zones. There's also a cafe and toilets adjacent.

Stage 2

Bear left to head past a fountain, heading directly towards an obelisk. Pass this and cross a bridge over the ponds, then leave Duthie Park via the gates at the southwest corner. You now need to cross to the far corner of the roundabout to reach the banks of the Dee. First cross the pelican crossing directly ahead and then very carefully cross the very busy A945. A tarred path then slopes down to the river and follow it upstream. Continue along this until the Bridge of Dee, and then leave the path to walk under the nearest arch of the bridge. This is not possible if the river level is high.

Stage 3

You are now on a path mostly used by fisherman; it is rough underfoot in places and close to the water in others; it can be a little overgrown in high summer. It sticks fairly close to the river, keeping out of sight of the factories and warehouses above. Ignore steps off to the right that lead up to the University buildings. Eventually the path climbs a few steps and then leads to a bridge over a tributary. After almost another kilometre more the path passes under power lines and then bears right away from the river, heading through a tunnel of broom.

Stage 4

As the path emerges keep low to the right of some reservoir buildings to emerge through a pedestrian gate onto a tarmac lane around Inchgarth Reservoir. Follow this round to the right. The tarred road eventually climbs to a junction - keep right here, heading away from the reservoir and through a gate (main gate locked but pedestrian gate on the left). Continue ahead to a crossroads, go straight across heading uphill onto Primrosehill Avenue. This curves to the left to reach a T-junction; turn right here. Ignore a path down to the left, and continue on the road towards a high rail bridge. Before reaching this take a path up on the left that climbs to reach the old railway line.

Stage 5

Turn right along the course of the railway, now a tarred cycle path. The old Deeside Line once stretched from Aberdeen up the Dee as far as Ballater; a planned extension to Braemar was blocked by Queen Victoria who purchased the necessary land to prevent what she thought would be an infringement of her privacy at Balmoral. The line now provides easy walking for the 4km back to Duthie Park. It passes under three road bridges and over two more - including the fine new Holburn Bridge which was opened in 2004 as part of making the route available to walkers and cyclists. At the end of the cycleway a tarred path leads down to the right. Go through the gates into Duthie Park, and straight ahead to return to the start.

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