Distance 7 miles/11.3 km
Typical duration 3 hours 30 minutes
Start and finish Beach Leisure Centre car park
Start postcode AB24 5NR
Step-by-step details and maps ramblers.org.uk/aberdeenroute
In a nutshell
This circular walk takes you around Scotland’s third-largest city, exploring the old and new town. It passes many of the best-loved landmarks, including St Machar’s Cathedral, the Town House, Marischal College and King’s College. Many of the structures were built using the city’s famous granite.
There’s a delightful long stretch along the beach, allowing you time to soak up the views of the Aberdeenshire coast. You’ll also walk beside the tree-lined river Don, one of the two waterways that skirt the city.
Why it’s special
The best thing about this walk is its variety. It offers amazing views along the beach, the tumbling river, an abundance of nature, many striking buildings, and the contrast between the old and the new city. You start by heading along Aberdeen Beach, with unspoilt views for miles along the coast. Following the esplanade to the end, you then turn alongside the Don into the Donmouth nature reserve – it’s impressive to see such a wealth of wildlife so close to the urban environment. Look out for oystercatchers, redshank, goldeneye, turnstones and, if you’re lucky, you may even spot a seal. Botanists will be in their element too. If you’re walking this route in July or August, the scent of aniseed will fill the air, thanks to the sweet cicely lining the banks of the Don.
Cross the cobblestoned Brig o’ Balgownie bridge – originally constructed around 1320 but largely rebuilt in the 17th century – and you’ll soon be in Seaton Park wood, where the path continues before heading back down to the river. Some of Aberdeen’s finest buildings can be seen in the Chanonry area – St Machar’s Cathedral dates from the 12th century and a quarter of William Wallace’s body is said to be buried here. The historic High Street is home to more gems, including the 18th-century Town House and the magnificent King’s College, part of the university, which dates from the late 15th century.
Walking up Union Street, His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen Art Gallery and the Robert Gordon College are other architectural highlights before you reach Marischal College. With its elaborate spirals soaring into the sky it’s the second-largest granite building in the world and is bound to impress.
Reward yourself
A very short detour off this route lies Old Blackfriars on Castle Street, a traditional pub with bare brick walls, wooden floors and a tempting malt whisky menu.
Get there
The number 13 and 23 buses go from Aberdeen railway station to near the start of this walk. Go to firstgroup.com/aberdeen
