The oldest part of Gardenstown - Seatown - is a tightly packed huddle of houses hemmed in by the cliffs. This walk links this old fishing village by the old shore route to picturesque but tiny Crovie before returning along a clifftop path.
Bog Factor
Shore path (with some rough steps and stones) steep, minor road and footpath.
Gardenstown.
Bus to Gardenstown from Banff .
NJ802649
Turn right at the bottom of the hill in Gardenstown and drive past the fishermen's garages to reach a parking area just beyond. It looks impossible to walk round the foot of the cliffs here - unless the tide is well out - but in fact there is a wonderful little path that keeps just above the water right under the cliffs. There has been rockfall here in the past so take care, and note that at high tide the first section could be impossible. Cross the small area of beach and continue tight against the cliffs; soon the built path begins and heads up a flight of steps to pass through a gap in the rocks.
Enjoy the view back to Gardenstown before the path continues round the corner, with iron chains to protect against the drop into the water. Crovie now comes into view ahead, a straggle of tiny cottages crammed into a space so small that there is no access for cars. Pass a memorial to the folk from the two villages who helped in the rescue of the crew of the SS Vigilant which ran aground here in 1906. The path soon reaches Crovie. The walk continues up the steep road which climbs to the right, but make sure you explore this delightful place first. As in other Aberdeenshire fishing villages, most of the houses are built gable-on to the sea to protect against the storms, whilst the path on the seaward side has a long line for hanging out washing.
Follow the minor road which curves left and then right as it climbs steeply from Crovie. After passing a residents car park on the left, there is a public car park, higher up on the right, with a viewpoint looking back down to Crovie. Continue briefly up the road until a signed footpath goes off through a gate on the right.
This runs along the clifftops and gives superb views back over Crovie, and later an aerial view over parts of Gardenstown. Eventually it swings left and emerges in a housing estate. Go right along Morven View Road, keeping right at a fork and then right again to join the main road at T-junction. Walk down the very steep road back towards the harbour in Gardenstown.
Ignore High St on the left and at the next fork turn left onto Main Street, following this as it swings left to become Braehead. This narrow road is quite a hazard for motorists! Note the little alleyways heading off on either side giving access to the jumbled cottages of Gardenstown. When the Gardens Arms Hotel is reached keep staight ahead up some steps onto Bankhead. When this reaches a junction and the path ahead goes uphill, turn right, and then left onto a path that contours above the backs of the cottages.
Many attractive stepped alleyways on the right lead quickly down to the seafront, but it is possible to continue along above the cottages (turning left at one point onto Goose Park) until almost the far end of the village, when the path finally swings down to reach the front.
Turn right along the seaftont bearing left to reach the harbour. Pass the back of the harbour, keeping ahead along a street and then past the industrial sheds to return to the car park.
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