Montrose Beach circular

Summary

Montrose is blessed with a quite magnificent and vast sandy beach. This circular walk heads along the length of the beach before returning via an inland route, visiting the fine North Water viaduct - now part of a cycle path.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Sandy beach (part may be inaccessible at high tide); return includes grassy paths, cycle path and a potentially muddier section.

Getting there

Start

Seafront Splash car park, Montrose.

Public Transport

Bus or train to centre of Montrose, 1.5km from start.

Start Grid Ref

NO726579

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 11.5km / 7.25 miles
Time: 3 hours
Ascent: 18m (Profile)

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Explorer 382 - Arbroath

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

The walk begins from the car parks at the Seafront Splash play area, on the promenade near Montrose; there are also a couple of cafes here - including one in the art deco pavillion building. If the tide is sufficiently out, you can start by heading down the steps opposite the pavillion onto the beach; at higher tides you can head north along the promenade until a ramp descends to the sand (the walk is not recommended at highest tide).

Stage 2

The beach is truly a vast expanse of sand. The walk follows it northwards for over 4km, almost until the point where the River North Esk divides the beach from St Cyrus beach (which is really the northerly continuation of the same beach). There are often many birds to be seen on the spit that projects out by the river.

Stage 3

Shortly before reaching the river the dunes descend and a sandy gap leads up to a path heading left behind these low dunes. Bear right when a grassy track is met that heads inland around the inlets and meanders of the river. The track soon leads to the remains of a bridge over one of the inlets; only the metal bars of this remain. At low tide you can cross on stones, but if the tide is in you need to detour to the left to pass around the burn. On the far side the track continues, now running alongside the banks of the River North Esk.

Stage 4

Continue along a riverside footpath. This eventually passes alongside a shed and reaches a fishing bothy and houses. When the track bends left past an old ice house, bear right to find the start of an old path (by some concrete war defence posts) that continues alongside the burn which runs parallel to the river here. The path leads through woodland to reach and pass beneath the North Water viaduct. This magnificent viaduct opened in 1865, but the railway was closed in 1966. Beyond it the path meets the main road; turn left onto a path that leads up onto the old railway line - now a cycle path.

Stage 5

Turn right along the cyclepath to begin the walk back to Montrose. The cycleway runs parallel to the main road (though shielded by trees) for some distance, going straight ahead to cross a track to Kinnaber. Eventually it curves left through the woods, diverging from the road. Go straight across again at a parking area at the far end of the woods.

Stage 6

Eventually another junction is reached just short of a sewage works. Turn left here - signed as part of the Angus Coastal Path. When the cinder track turns right once more, continue straight ahead onto a good footpath. Eventually this reaches a corner of fences, with a stile ahead and a gate to the left; ignore both, instead turning right to walk alongside the fence on a faint grassy track. After passing a second world war bunker/tank, go through a pedestrian gate in the fence on the left to gain a good track along the other side, running alongside the golf course.

Stage 7

At a staggered cross tracks, keep straight ahead (dog-leg left); and then ahead again at a second cross-tracks. Keep care on this section where the track leads through the golf course - and give way to any golfers playing shots. Eventually the cinder track turns right - follow it, to reach a group of buildings at the end of Dorward Road. Leave these by heading along Dorward Road, and then turn left when Traill Drive is reached. This leads back to the seafront and curves right to return to the start - enjoy the views to the lighthouse at Scurdie Ness ahead.

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