Walk: Cove, coast & country parks

📌 Cove Bay, Aberdeen City
★★★

This varied circular walk connects various green spaces surrounding the Aberdeen suburb of Cove Bay, while attempting to avoid the numerous nearby industrial zones! The outward coastal section features attractive cliffs, sea stacks and North Sea views, while the (admittedly less dramatic) inland return traverses a broad ridge of high ground with views towards Aberdeen city centre. Loirston Loch is also visited; this underappreciated wetland area is home to numerous bird species even if the viewing hides have become rather dilapidated. There’s also a pub and supermarket near the halfway point (which came in handy after we accidentally left our sandwiches at home…).

📷 Chronological photo guide

🌍 Location

📌 Start / finish on Colsea Road, Cove Bay. Several alternative start points – see route map

🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NJ 954009

🛰️ GPS coordinates: 57.099280,-2.078281

🚌 Loirston Road / Cove Road junction – or several options elsewhere on route

🚗 Street parking

📝 Key info

▶ 15 km / 9 mi | ▲ 220 m | ⌛ 4-5 hr

Features: 🏠 Cove Bay; 🌊 Cove Harbour & coastline; 🌳 Loirston Country Park & cairns; △ Kincorth Hill (105 m); 💧 Loirston Loch

⬤ Moderate | Clear paths, a few short road sections & occasional ascent. Short rougher stretches, including near start with a burn to hop across.

➡️ Anticlockwise circuit: start & Cove Bay village – Cove Harbour – coast path north to Doonies Yawns – Loirston Country Park, Baron’s Cairn & Cat Cairn – Kincorth Hill – A956 / B985 roundabout – Kincorth Hill – Redmoss Road – Loirston Loch – Cove Road – Cove Community Woodland – start

Download file for GPS

🥾 On our last visit

Wildlife: Coastal stretch: seals, shags, curlews, oystercatchers. Inland part: cows in adjacent fields, sheep, ripe blackberries & elderberries. Mute swans, mallards, coots & moorhens on Loirston Loch.

Weather: 14°C, mostly sunny, breezy.

October 2022