North-east winter walk routes

If you’re looking for a great way to stay active this Christmas, then look no further! There’s nothing better than getting all wrapped up in your warmest coats and heading out for a winter walk with your nearest and dearest.

Given our geographic location, we are lucky enough to be blessed with some of Britain’s most beautiful countryside and walking routes. Have a look at some of our favourite trails and get active this winter.

Craigevar Castle

A few miles south of Alford lies the picturesque pink-walled Craigevar Castle. The Castle itself, which is said to be the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle, is closed over the winter but the grounds remain open to the public all year round.

There are two main walking trails to choose from; the woodland trail and the hill trail. Both are relatively easy and short in length which makes it a perfect choice for people of all abilities or families with young children and little legs to cater to.

Brig o’ Balgownie

Local legend suggests that the bridge itself was started in the late 13^th Century by Bishop Henry Cheyne and completed by Robert The Bruce some years later. Whether or not this tale holds any truth is besides the point. The Brig o’ Balgownie is a great and fairly central place to head out for a winter walk this year.

Suggested route: start from Seaton Park and then wander past the St Machar Cathedral and along the banks of the Don, taking in the Don View and the brig itself. Those of you living in town could quite easily walk straight down the length of King Street and reach the brig in no time at all.

Old Aberdeen Trail

You don’t need to go far afield to find a winter walk route in Aberdeen. The cobbled streets of Old Aberdeen make for a perfectly picturesque and accessible course.

Monks and scholars, traders and travellers settled around Old Aberdeen in the area where Kings College, the forerunner to Aberdeen University, was founded by Bishop Elphinstone in 1495. The buildings around here are beautiful, especially with a dusting of snow.

A wander through Old Aberdeen still feels like stepping back in time, even if you’ve lived in Aberdeen all your life!