Walks near Aberdeen by train
Aberdeenshire · Scotland
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations near Aberdeen and plan your next day of green.
Alternatively, view walks directly from Aberdeen.
Portlethen to Stonehaven (Kincardineshire)
15 minutes direct from Aberdeen.
Recommended
Walk details: Railwalks.
Inverurie to Kintore (Aberdeenshire)
30 minutes direct from Aberdeen.
Recommended: A really beautiful walk. Leaves Inverurie on the quiet Old Port Road, then walkers' tracks through woodland and along the river edges of the Urie and Don (narrow, care needed near the water). Uses a farmer's tractor bridge and field-edge skirting and with well-defined farm tracks. Hillwalking boots needed for some sections. The route passes Kinkell churchyard and through farm yards (Ardmurdo, Balbithan). An optional stile route skirts fields at Breedie's Haugh near Kintore golf club instead of the road.
Time: 2h30–4h30
Warnings: Follows a busy road for a sixth of the walk. Narrow riverside paths require care; if the Urie or Don river levels are high, stay inside the fields. A narrow bridge over the Urie and the next bend need care with frequent cars in both directions.
Walk details: Slow Ways.
Carnoustie to Monifieth (Angus)
1 hour direct from Aberdeen.
Recommended: All inland as the headland is not walkable, though it still has a coastal feel.
Walk details: Railwalks.
Insch to Inverurie (Aberdeenshire)
30 minutes direct from Aberdeen.
Arbroath to Montrose (Angus)
45 minutes direct from Aberdeen.
Breath-taking views along the cliffs. A dramatic clifftop coastal walk on worn-grass and farm tracks (which can be muddy), with sandy beach, pebble-beach and some road sections. Spectacular cliff scenery throughout and with steps and erosion in places. Crosses the Montrose Basin (a notable wildlife site) on the approach to Montrose; nice artworks line the path into town. Optional diversions take in Lunan Bay, Red Castle and Scurdie Ness.
Coastal: three fifths along the coast.
Time: 8h30–17h30
1 lunch spot: the But 'n' Ben
Warnings: The route runs close to cliff edges where there is some erosion; watch your footing and follow any diversion signs. Some farm-track sections can be muddy.
Walk details: Slow Ways.
Reverse direction: Railwalks.
Huntly to Insch (Aberdeenshire)
1 hour direct from Aberdeen.
Carnoustie to Arbroath (Angus)
1 hour direct from Aberdeen.
Beautiful views; nice views out to sea. An easy, flat walk on unsurfaced hardcore running level alongside the railway for most of the route, with town streets twisting through at each end and nice sea views. Suitable for cycles and wheelchairs and pushchairs. Follows the train line. East Haven has a small beach.
Coastal: almost all along the coast.
Time: 3h–6h
1 end-of-walk reward: the Marcos
Warnings: There is a possibility of flooding at one point, though remedial work has been done and it is fine in most weathers.
Walk details: Slow Ways.
Reverse direction: Railwalks.