Walks you can reach from Stonehaven by train

Portlethen Station to Aberdeen Station (Kincardineshire)

8m direct from Stonehaven.

Great walk along the clifftops; stunning clifftop paths. A walk of two halves: the first 5km is uneventful but quiet road walking through farmland and former fishing villages, then around 10km of stunning clifftop coastal path (the Aberdeen Coastal Path), weaving in and out of inlets and with an industrial stretch near Aberdeen harbour and the lovely Cove Community Woodland. Follows the Aberdeen Coastal Path along the cliffs; an optional 2-3km diversion via Greyhope Road offers a chance to see dolphins at the harbour mouth, plus a café and toilet at Torry Battery. Lots of nesting seabirds, and Cove Community Woodland has wildflower meadows and benches.

Tough: steep ascents. 16km.

Sections run along clifftop paths where care is required, though never dangerously close to the edge. The road walking into Portlethen has no path in places, so care is needed; hill-walking boots recommended for some sections.

Lunch: A Premier store at Cove (around 7km) and a café at Torry Battery slightly off-route.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Arbroath Station to Montrose Station (Angus)

15m direct from Stonehaven.

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.

Tough: 31km, steep ascents.

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.

Lunch stop: the But 'n' Ben.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Carnoustie Station to Arbroath Station (Angus)

30m direct from Stonehaven.

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.

Easy: 11km, gentle ascents.

There is a possibility of flooding at one point, though remedial work has been done and it is fine in most weathers.

End-of-walk reward: the Marcos.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route