Deeside Way

Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire

The Deeside Way is nearing completion with only a short missing section east of Aboyne and plans are underway to extend the path from Ballater to Braemar.

The Deeside Way is a path running from near the centre of Aberdeen, oil capital of Europe, to Ballater, in the Cairngorms National Park, famous for its Victorian Heritage and links to Balmoral Castle. The path is suitable for walkers and cyclists with many sections suitable for horses as well and is Route 135 of the National Cycle Network which is coordinated and promoted by Sustrans.

The route follows the line of the Old Royal Deeside Railway from Aberdeen to Banchory, through woodland and farmland to Kincardine O'Neil and then rejoins the old line from Aboyne to Ballater. Between Banchory and Aboyne the route utilises forest tracks, woodland paths and field margins. This is because the old railway headed north as it left Banchory to Torphins and Lumphanan before returning to the Dee valley at Dess. Aberdeenshire Council is currently trying to identify a satisfactory route to complete this section.

Along the way there are many opportunities to see remains of the old railway infrastructure as well as stunning views over the River Dee with the Cairngorm Mountains as a backdrop. Most of the route is off road with gradual gradients making for easy going particularly suitable for family cycling although there are some short steeper sections giving more of a challenge. Along the way there are opportunities to link into other paths including historic drove roads like The Fungle and Firmounth and local path networks. The Deeside Way offers the opportunity to explore a beautiful area of Aberdeenshire with its changing landscape from sea to mountain and makes the ideal base for a walking holiday or cycling holiday or indeed both.

Route details and maps may be downloaded from the link below.

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Details:

Path Type:	Other Paths
Attributes:	Easy Former Railway Cycle Route Forest/Woodland Railway
Start:	NJ938046 - Duthie Park, Aberdeen, Aberdeen
Finish:	NO370959 - Ballater, Aberdeenshire
Open Date:	2015
Web Sites:	Deeside Way

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Publications, Badges and Certificates:

Guidebook

Deeside Way  (Birlinn  - 2021 )

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