📌 Bennachie range, Aberdeenshire
★★★★
Bennachie overlooks the swathes of fertile farmland surrounding the town of Inverurie. This plateau of heathery high ground is dotted with several granite tors rising above forested lower slopes. Central Oxen Craig is the highest of the tops, but cone-shaped Mither Tap is the most distinctive, crowned with an ancient hillfort and visible from all over Aberdeenshire. The circuit described here takes in both, starting at the visitor centre on the eastern side. Paths are generally excellent so bog is unlikely, though there are some fairly steep sections.
📷 Chronological photo guide
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish at the Bennachie Centre (off unclassified road 2 mi southwest of Chapel of Garioch)
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NJ 698217
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 57.284444,-2.501990
❌ No public transport within 1 mi
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
▶ 10 km / 6 mi | ▲ 550 m | ⌛ 3-3.5 hr
Features: 🏠 Bennachie Centre; △ Oxen Craig (529 m, sub-2000′ Marilyn); △ Craigshannoch (480 m); △ Mither Tap (518 m)
⬤ Moderate | Clear paths. Occasionally steep for ascent to Oxen Craig; more so for descent from Mither Tap.
Download file for GPS➡️ Clockwise circuit: start & Bennachie Centre – 258m bealach to west – Pitgavenny – Oxen Craig – Craigshannoch – Mither Tap – start
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Birds in the forest.
Weather: Weak sunshine through patchy cloud, breezy on the plateau.
October 2011
