Winding Walks, near Fochabers

Summary

This circular walk combines several of the waymarked walking trails at Winding Woods near Fochabers, It begins up the side of the Small Burn, passes Longhowe Loch and climbs up to the monument atop Whiteash Hill. On the descent the route takes in Peep's Viewpoint overlooking Fochabers.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Forest tracks and paths, optional path with steps. Path shared with mountain bikes is suffering badly from erosion.

Getting there

Start

Winding walks car park (charge) off A98 east of Fochabers.

Public Transport

Nearest bus is Fochabers, a link path joins to the forest trails.

Start Grid Ref

NJ358585

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 5.75km / 3.5 miles
Time: 1.5 - 2.5 hours
Ascent: 181m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (5)

Stage 1

The walk begins from the Winding Walks car park off the A98 to the east of Fochabers; there is a parking charge. The car park has many picnic tables. Begin the walk by taking the path from near the top end of the car park, marked for the walks in all colours - for the first half of the walk, our route follows the blue markers. Almost immediately the path forks; take the left branch (red, green and blue). The main route ignores minor paths off right - these were the original Winding Walks which were once part of the gardens for Gordon Castle. At the next junction, with a bench, keep straight on uphill (blue / green).

Stage 2

The path climbs steadily through pines with the chance of seeing a red squirrel. At the next fork keep on the main path with the blue and green marker, ignoring the red route off to the right. The path passes Longhowe Loch almost hidden in the trees, with a bench overlooking the water. Keep ahead until a t-junction, now turning right (waymarked in blue only).

Stage 3

The path now climbs steadily uphill. Keep straight across at two different tracks, and look out for mountain bikers also struggling uphill, as the final section of the route is shared with them and has become badly eroded. Eventually the monument on Whiteash Hill is seen ahead. Continue to reach it; it was built as a memorial for Frances Harriet - the wife of the first Duke of Gordon. The view is quite obscured by trees, but there are seats around the base of the monument.

Stage 4

Turn right - still following the blue markers - to begin the descent, initially shared with the orange 'extreme' mountain bike route. Keep straight across at a track, and at the next junction keep straight on when the mountain bike route forks off to the left. The route renters the forest, and soon passes Ranald's Grave (just to the left). Ranald was the chief of a band of tinkers that camped here as a base for robbing wayfarers on the Aberdeen road; ultimately he was tried and executed on this very spot.

Stage 5

Continuing the descent, keep straight ahead at a very wide track. Further on, ignore the red/blue route forking off to the right, again keeping ahead. Ignore minor paths off right, and when a marked junction is reached turn left slightly uphill with a yellow marker.

Stage 6

A path now winds two and fro through the trees, eventually emerging at Peep's View - an open mound on your right. There used to be a lovely wooden gazebo here but it was removed in 2023, but the view down over Fochabers remains lovely. Keep along the path, eventually emerging at a track. Go left downhill here, and keep right at a bend to head back to the car park.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Elgin & Cullen Hotels

Elgin & Cullen B&B

Elgin & Cullen cottages

Moray hostels

Glamping and Camping

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