Back o’ Bennachie

About Walk Activities Facilities and access Directions Contact Nearby forests

Where we are

About

A favourite start point for those climbing Oxen Craig

Spilling down the northern slopes of the hill, the forest at Back O’Bennachie is a delight. There’s a large, open picnic area where you can have a barbecue or play a game of forest football, and trails through atmospheric forest.

On the hillside above the forest you can find the remains of the quarry that supplied stone to build local villages, and a superb circuit that takes in three of Bennachie’s summits.

Walking trails

Back o' Bennachie route card (PDF)

Walking

Larick Trail

From a fresh green burst in spring to an autumn blast of gold, the larick (larch) here provides a different colour for all the seasons.

A moderate to fairly steep trail, with varied surfaces: firm forest roads, earthy paths that can be muddy and rough sections with rocks, roots and large steps.

1 ½ miles / 2.4 km

Allow 1 hour

More information

The trail passes through native, naturally-growing trees like Scots pine, as well as forest planted with other species chosen for their timber value.

Walking

Mither Tap Quarry Trail

A great workout on the hill, visiting the Mither Tap and Bennachie’s highest summit - Oxen Craig.

A very steep, rough trail with long climbs, large steps, rocky and some areas on the summits which may be muddy.

5 ½ miles / 9.0 km

Allow 3 ¾ hours

More information

The longest route to the landmark of the Mither Tap, this trail also visits Bennachie’s highest summit at Oxen Craig. On the way you’ll pass the old quarry at Little Oxen Craig, where stone was cut in the 1800s to build houses in nearby villages. Watch out for the sculpture installed here.

Activities

Going to the top?

It may not be a Munro, but climbing Bennachie can be a real mountain experience with real mountain dangers. Ice and snow make the paths extremely hazardous in winter and spring. Even in summer the wind blows constantly at the top and temperatures will drop suddenly in rain. Don’t get caught out - dress warmly, take boots and waterproofs and be prepared to turn back when the weather changes.

Facilities and access

Ancient monument

Barbeque

Mountain access

Parking (charge)

Picnic area

Toilets

Walking

Stay the Night

Life’s essentials

The toilets here are open from 1 April to 31 October. You’ll find places to eat in Oyne, Chapel of Garioch and Inverurie.

Car parking information

The charges to park at Back o'Bennachie are:

Payment options: coin, card or RingGo

£2 for up to 1 hour
£2.50 for up to 3 hours
£3 for all day
£12 for minibus or coach all day

We recommend you bring both coins and cards with you, just in case. Please park with care and consideration. In particular please park in designated parking areas only and do not block entrances or gates. Nearby car parks with free parking can be found in our local forest list without the £ symbol.

Annual parking pass available:

Available in advance by downloading the relevant application form and emailing to the Regional Office. Please read our Annual Pass terms and conditions before applying.

Moray and Aberdeenshire Car Park Pass - £50 per car and £120 per mini-bus or coach

Valid at Roseisle, Culbin, Winding Walks, Back o'Bennachie, Bennachie Centre, Donview, Countesswells, Foggieton, Scolty, Cambus o’ May, Torrieston, Dunnottar Woods, Quarry Wood (Leggat)

Moray and Aberdeenshire Pass application form

FLS National Car Park Pass - £100 per car and £150 per mini bus or coach

Valid at all Forestry and Land Scotland car parks except Tentsmuir.

FLS National Pass application form

Blue Badge holders park free. Please display your Blue Badge clearly.

More parking info

Stay the Night

Stay the Night continues to run now through to 31 December 2024. This means self-contained motorhomes and campervans will be able to park overnight for one night in some of our car parks.

There is a £7 charge to Stay the Night at this car park. Payment can be made through RingGo with details of how to do this at the car park.

To help plan your stay, please see the details below:

Height barrier – No
Motorhome capacity of car park – 5
Suitable for large vehicles/caravans – Suitable for caravans. There are pull in laybys along the car park and a turning circle at the end
Parking notes – Single track access road from main B road. Normally no issues as plenty passing places. Very level and recently resurfaced. Car park is laid out in a long strip.

Please visit our Stay the Night page for full details, participating locations, best practice, and terms and conditions of use.

Stay the Night

Getting here

Follow the A96 north from Inverurie for about 7 miles (11.2 km). At the Oyne Fork turn left onto the B9002, signposted to Insch. Follow this road through Oyne village for about 2 miles (3.2 km), then turn left on a narrow road signposted ‘Back o' Bennachie Forest Walks’. The car park is about 1 mile (1.6 km) up this road.