The three walks described were graded in 2022 as “moderate” or “easy” using Paths for All guidance. Users are warned that path conditions can change at any time due to wind, water, snow, ice and operational activities. You are responsible for your own safety and must make your own judgement about the condition the walk.
Walk 5. St Erchard’s Well, 1.1 km (0.7 mile), time 30 mins. Moderate
An interesting walk close to the village. Quiet roads and a farm track. One steeper Section and the farm track is rutted.
Walk 6. Riverside Walk, 1.3 km (0.8 mile), time 35 mins – Easy
A beautiful riverside walk on level ground along mainly grassy or dirt tracks.
Walk 7. Heugh Head Circular 2km (1.3 miles), time 1 hr. – Moderate
A pleasing woodland walk with many wildflowers. Tarmac road, woodland paths, farmers track and Deeside Way. Narrow access in places.
Walk 5. St Erchard’s Well, 1.1 km (0.7 mile), time 30 mins
From the village centre, walk east along the main street, pass the War Memorial and go up Neil Burn Drive out of the village. After the houses end there is a small stream and a fountain. This was commissioned in the 1990s and is located near the site of the ancient St. Erchard’s well which is no longer visible. The stonework is engraved “Wisdom and Eternity”, in accordance with ancient Celtic beliefs.
Soon, the road climbs and bends to the left and after another 110 m it crosses a farm track. Turn left down the rutted track which has a grassy centre and descend (moderately steep) to the Neil Burn. Cross the burn and pass a curling pond on the right (still used in winter) before re-joining the main street beside the Golden House Chinese take away.
Walk 6. Riverside Walk, 1.3 km (0.8 mile), time 35 mins
From the village centre go east to Dee Street. (The ruined Church of St Mary, just beyond has an information board telling the story of the church.) Turn down Dee Street and follow the track to the river. This track was used by travelers for many centuries on their way to a ford across the Dee here. At the Dee turn right and walk along the riverbank. After approximately 230m you reach the point where a ferryman plied passengers across the Dee until 1937 when a great spate swept the boat away. The river reached the same height in the spate of 2015. The ferryman’s house stands on the opposite bank.
Turn right here and either follow the track straight up to the main road and turn right back to the village centre or use either of the paths into the new Durward housing development to access the village carpark via Canmore (the wooden houses) without having to go back onto the main road. A pleasant addition is to meander along the path (narrow in places) through the Boat Wood (extra 400 m).
Walk 7. Heugh Head Circular 2km (1.3 miles), time 1 hr.
From the village centre go west and turn up Pitmurchie Rd. This 18th century military road follows the route used by drovers bringing cattle south to market. When the pavement ends, stay on Pitmurchie Road (caution – narrow road) past the crossroads at the “end of speed limit” sign.
After another 150 metres take the grass path to the left which meanders through pleasant self-regenerating woodland until it re-joins the Deeside Way. Turn right here to continue (left to return to the village).
Very soon a tree shelter belt on the left begins. Look for a gap in the stone wall on your left, opposite the field gate on your right. This gives easy access to a path through the shelter belt. Go down this path to Heugh-head (now private residences). Here the path crosses a ditch on a plank bridge and joins a track. Turn left along the track. After 170m the track goes sharp left turn and soon joins the Deeside Way. Turn right to follow the Deeside Way back to the village.
