This fine circular walk ascends Millstone Hill, a southern neighbour of Bennachie. It offers a gradual transition from conifer plantations, through birchwoods, to heather hill-top and gives excellent views.
Good waymarked paths, rocky and very steep at times.
None to start.
Donview Forestry car park.
Start from the Donview car park on the minor road along the north side of the Don, just south of Bennachie. There is an artist's studio gallery here and some shorter waymarked walks, this steeper circuit - waymarked in green - and the pink Mither Tap Heather Brig which continues to the Mither Tap. Of the two paths leading uphill into the trees from the studio, take the left hand one. This soon joins a track; bear right through the gate and then go straight on, back on a path, at the junction. The next marker post indicates where to turn right uphill, and further on another post indicates a left turn, though the route soon turns right once more.
The path now climbs much more steeply, aided by steps. Higher up it becomes rocky and the trees begin to thin, permitting more open views; at one point a large stone slab provides the perfect spot for a break. The trees are gradually replaced by birches and scattered pines as the heather of the upper hill is reached.
The extensive views include distant Lochnagar, but the highlight, when the summit is reached, is a sudden view of the dramatic Mither Tap. The patchwork fields of Aberdeenshire lead out toward the line of the North Sea.
Follow the path as it descends northeast from the summit. Soon a junction is reached; the through-walk to the Bennachie Centre goes off left here, but to continue the circular walk keep straight on. The path soon doubles back to the right and descends across the flank of the hill. Soon it reaches and re-enters the plantations.
Keep straight each time as the path crosses three forest tracks; there are many breaks in the forest on this section permitting some good views. Eventually the path descends back to the studio and car park at Donview.
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