Woodland walks to enjoy around Aberdeen

One thing Orkney and Shetland share is their wide-open landscapes. There are few trees found in the Northern Isles, and although there are some lovely small pockets of woodland – like Kergord Woods and Michaelswood in Shetland, or Happy Valley in Orkney – they don’t compare to the larger, sprawling forests found on the Scottish mainland.

As a result, islanders may enjoy seeking out a proper woodland walk when they travel south.

Just beyond the walls of Hazlehead Park, the surrounding woodland – called Den Woods and Anderson Woods – forms the largest continuous area of forest within Aberdeen and is an excellent place for a wander.

Aberdeen and its surrounding suburbs are ideal for this. The area is dotted with beautiful areas of woodland offering peaceful escapes from the city, from shorter strolls to a longer ramble.

In this guide, we share some of our favourite woodland walks around Aberdeen.

Kirkhill Forest

Kirkhill is a lovely forest and a great spot for a moderate hill walk so close to the city. The area is full of paths to explore, whether you’re walking, riding horses, cycling or tackling the mountain bike fun park. The circular loop – with a short extension to the Tappie Tower – is around 4 miles (6 km) long and takes about 1-1½ hours to complete.

You’ll find Kirkhill Forest just off the A96 as you head out of Aberdeen on the right-hand side of the road, roughly halfway between Craibstone roundabout and the village of Blackburn. A short single-track road leads you to a large, free car park with plenty of spaces.

The white-waymarked Tappie Tower trail weaves through the forest along a wide gravel track. It climbs steadily up the hillside before looping back down on dirt paths, eventually reconnecting with the main gravel track you started on. The paths are well-maintained and generally firm underfoot, though there are some uneven, rocky patches. And as with all the walks featured in this guide; if it’s been raining, expect a few muddy sections!

We recommend walking the loop in an anticlockwise direction. The climb feels more manageable this way, as it’s broken up with flatter sections allowing you to catch your breath. The descent back to the car park on the dirt path is noticeably steeper.

Near the top, keep following the main trail until you reach a signpost for the Tappie Tower along a path to the right. At the summit, in a small clearing surrounded by short trees, stands the Tappie Tower – a granite folly built in 1846 by Dr William Henderson to commemorate Queen Victoria’s arrival in Aberdeen.

The cylindrical tower marks the highest point of Henderson’s estate (250 metres) and has a steep spiral staircase that leads to a viewing platform which provides lovely, panoramic views across the countryside.

Maryculter Woods

Maryculter Woods is a real hidden gem on the outskirts of Aberdeen and is carefully looked after by the Maryculter Woodlands Trust, a community‑run charity that owns and maintains this woodland.

The woods are located about 8 miles southwest of the city centre, just off the A90 beside the Kirkton of Maryculter and the popular children’s attraction The Den and The Glen. The main visitor access point is the Burnside entrance, where a small, free car park offers space for about 10-15 cars.

Starting here, the path follows alongside the picturesque Crynoch Burn before crossing a wooden bridge and joining a circular loop through the woodland. Walking from the car park around the loop and back comes in just under 3 miles (around 4.5 km) and takes roughly an hour.

This is an easy, family- and dog-friendly trail with solid gravel paths and mostly flat terrain, making it suitable for all ages. It’s also a great spot for birdwatching – tawny owls, crossbills and various warblers are regular visitors. Trail cameras often capture red squirrels, roe deer and foxes, and otters have even been recorded further downstream along the burn.

Den and Anderson Woods

Hazlehead Park is one of Aberdeen’s oldest green spaces, originally part of the Freedom Lands gifted to the city by King Robert the Bruce in 1319. After serving as a country estate, it was bought back by Aberdeen Council in 1920 and is now a much‑loved public park.

Just beyond the park walls, the surrounding woodland – called Den Woods and Anderson Woods – forms the largest continuous area of forest within Aberdeen and is an excellent place for a wander.

There is plenty of free parking available around Hazlehead Park, and three mapped walking routes – 1.5 km, 4 km and 6km – start directly from the park. We recommend following the 6 km loop, as it takes you throughout the entire wooded area from Anderson Woods to the north and Den Woods to the south, and around the two golf courses played by members of Hazlehead Golf Club. It’s a gentle, mostly flat stroll along clear gravel paths, and the routes can easily be shortened or extended depending on how much time you have.

While you’re in the area, it’s worth taking the time to explore the structures, garden features and other points of interest throughout the park. Further information – including trail maps – is available in the Hazlehead Park and Trail Guide.

Tyrebagger Woods

Tyrebagger sits just a few miles northwest of Aberdeen, opposite Kirkhill Forest along the A96, but on the opposite (south) side of the dual carriageway. Along a quiet country road, you’ll find two free car parks about a quarter of a mile apart, set within a large, open area where many trees were felled during the restoration effort following Storm Arwen.

Two waymarked trails start from either car park. The shorter option is the blue Beech Tree Trail – a gentle ¾ mile loop ideal for a quick stroll. The longer red Robbers’ route is just under 1½ miles and winds through the cleared area before leading into mature woodland. The paths are firm but uneven, with rocky sections and some steeper slopes, but they are generally manageable for most visitors.

The red trail takes its name from Robbers’ Cave, said to have been a hideout for 17^th century outlaws. It isn’t signposted, and you’ll need to venture a little off the main path if you wish to find it. Tyrebagger once had a sculpture trail too, with a dozen or so sculptures hidden around the forest, though only one or two remain today due to damage.

The name Tyrebagger comes from the Gaelic Tir a’ Bhalgaire, meaning ‘the land of the fox’, and foxes, red squirrels and roe deer are often spotted here. If you’re keen for a longer hike, Tyrebagger also links into the Four Hills Walk – a route connecting Tyrebagger with Elrick Hill, Brimmond Hill and Kirkhill Forest.

Tollohill Woods

Tollohill Wood is one of those places that feels wonderfully tucked away, despite being only a short distance from the city centre – sitting just across the River Dee from Robert Gordon University.

To get there, head to the Bridge of Dee roundabout and follow Leggart Terrace before turning left onto the road signposted for Banchory‑Devenick. This narrow road winds through fields to a small, free car park on the right‑hand side. It’s a quiet and secluded spot, and before you step into the woodland you’re treated to lovely views across the city towards the North Sea.

Once you enter the wood, you’ll find a maze of paths heading off in all directions. There are no marked trails to follow, so exploring here is very much a case of following your instincts. We found that a general loop around the wood took about 30 minutes at a leisurely pace. Tollohill is popular with families, as there are a few rope swings, a treehouse and some homemade wooden shelters that kids will enjoy exploring!

A surprising feature here is a tall granite obelisk monument found at the heart of these woods. It was erected in 1859 to commemorate Prince Albert’s visit to Banchory House – the main house on the Banchory and Leggart Estate. It’s worth seeking out during your walk as its elevated location makes for a great viewpoint across to Garthdee and Cults.

By Amy Leith
Born and raised in Aberdeen with an admiration for Orkney and Shetland, loves to travel and visit new places, enjoys cooking, always listening to music, spends a little too much time on TikTok.

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