Bennachie Hills are popular for hiking, jogging and cycling in Aberdeenshire
VisitAberdeenshire
6 Easy hill walks with amazing views
Adventure up tree-lined paths and rocky summits and soak up inspiring views from the top of these gentle hills.
1. Bennachie: Oxen Craig and Mither Tap, Aberdeenshire
Bennachie is one of Aberdeenshire’s smaller hills, but the panoramic view from the top over the valleys, fields and woodlands of Deeside and the Cairngorms is spectacular. It’s a range comprising seven summits, the highest of which are Bennachie, Oxen Craig and the dramatic Mither Tap. Follow the circular route through the green Bennachie forest which leads up to all three peaks, pausing at the top to enjoy a well-earned thermos of hot tea. It’s a bracing but popular climb which is particularly splendid during autumn, watching the autumn leaves fall as they change to deep red, orange and gold.
- Distance: 9.25 km
- Height: 528 metres
- Time: 4 hours
2. Kinnoull Hill, Perth
Follow the atmospheric route through the forest to the summit crowned by Kinnoull Tower, a fairy-tale folly built by Lord Grey of Kinfauns in 1829. The hill rises from the River Tay on the outskirts of Perth and is easily accessible on foot from the city centre. Take a breather as you stand on the summit overlooking the Tay and forests below – on clear days you can see as far as Dundee and the outline of the Tay Bridge.
- Distance: 3.3 km
- Height: 222 metres
- Time: 1 hour
Discover the trails through Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park
Kinnoull Hill, Perth
3. Gallow Hill, Moffat
Venture just outside of Moffat town centre and take the idyllic woodland path up Gallow Hill, which towers above. As well as outstanding views across Dumfries & Galloway, the hill and its surrounds are part of a community-funded rewilding project to restore the woodlands, making them abundant with wildlife. Look out for golden eagles soaring overhead while foraging for seasonal wild berries on the hill.
- Distance: 3.75 km
- Height: 170 metres
- Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Follow the route to Gallow Hill
Moffat, Dumfries y Galloway
4. Conic Hill, West Dunbartonshire
Not quite ready to scale a Munro? This small hill is ideal if you want to pace yourself without having to forgo spectacular scenery – depending on your level of fitness you can reach the top easily in less than an hour. If the weather’s nice, bring a picnic and take in views across greater Glasgow, the gleaming Loch Lomond, and the Trossachs.
- Distance: 4.2 km
- Height: 316 metres
- Time: 1 hour 30 mins
Follow the route to Conic Hill
Conic Hill, Loch Lomond
5. Corstorphine Hill, Edinburgh
Follow the labyrinth of hill paths that lead high above the leafy suburbs to the west of Edinburgh. As you climb higher, you’ll reach the outskirts of a golf course which reveals sweeping views of the capital. Continue along the boundary of Edinburgh Zoo while keeping your ears and eyes peeled for the noises and glimpses of the zoo’s exotic creatures. The Rest and Be Thankful viewpoint bench marks the end of the trail. Feel the breeze in your hair as you sit and take in the view of the city below – the same that inspired author Robert Louis Stevenson and featured in his novel, Kidnapped.
- Distance: 4.5 km
- Height: 161 metres
- Time: 1 hour 30 mins
Plan your walk up Corstorphine Hill
Corstorphine Hill, Edimburgo
6. Deer Hill, Argyll & Bute
Cnoc Nan Gabhar means ‘Rock of the Goat’ in Gaelic, but this wee hill set on a peninsula is better known as Deer Hill. True to its name, deer of all kinds are seen darting among the trees and glades, so keep your eyes peeled as red, roe, fallow and sika deer bound off the paths around you. Follow the red waymarkers that hug the edge of the woodland and make up part of the Kintyre Way, look around you as the path ascends to catch glimpses across the Kilbrannan Sound, to the Isle of Arran and the peak of Ailsa Craig. The route eventually gives way to open moorland, then a short track to the summit with its majestic view of Kintyre’s east coast.
- Distance: 5.8 km
- Height: 229 metres
- Time: 2 hours
Explore the route to Deer Hill
Carradale en el estrecho de Kilbrannan, Kintyre
Safety first
Planning a trip to the hills? Choose a route that's suited to your fitness level and experience, no matter the distance or elevation. Remember to take care to wear suitable clothing and footwear, and bring the basic safety equipment.
For more information on how to be prepared when hill walking in Scotland, visit our Munro bagging page.
This list was created by VisitScotland to showcase a range of experiences. It isn’t ranked in any specific order.