Difficulty: Easy
Distance: Flexible – short strolls or longer walks can be arranged
Location: Kincardine Estate

For guests staying at Kincardine Castle, one of the simplest pleasures is heading outdoors and exploring the estate itself. Kincardine sits at the centre of a beautiful 3,000-acre working estate, with woodland, farmland, gardens and the banks of the River Dee all forming part of the surrounding landscape.

This is a lovely choice for anyone wanting a relaxed walk without travelling anywhere by car. Routes can be adapted according to how far guests would like to walk and the conditions on the day.

As Kincardine Castle is a private family home and estate, access for visitors is by prior arrangement.

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Full Banchory–Aboyne stage: 23.8 km / 14.75 miles
Walking time: Approximately 5–5½ hours
Ascent: Approximately 430 metres

The Deeside Way is one of Royal Deeside’s classic long-distance routes, following much of the old Royal Deeside Railway between Aberdeen and Ballater.

Particularly convenient for guests at Kincardine is the Banchory to Aboyne section, which passes directly through the historic village of Kincardine O’Neil. This makes it possible to enjoy either a substantial day walk or simply choose a shorter section close to the estate.

The route combines forest tracks, quiet paths, farmland and sections beside the River Dee. From Banchory it climbs through woodland below Scolty Hill before crossing the Dee at Thomas Telford’s Potarch Bridge and continuing through Kincardine O’Neil towards Aboyne. The walking is mostly straightforward, although there are some climbs, descents and occasionally muddy sections.

It is an excellent option for guests who want to experience the wider Deeside landscape without committing to high mountain terrain.

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 4.9 km / 3 miles
Walking time: Approximately 1½–2 hours
Ascent: Approximately 30 metres

For an easy and wonderfully scenic outing, the Fairy Pool and Riverside Walk at Glen Tanar is an excellent choice.

The waymarked route combines forest and farmland before following a peaceful stretch beside the River Tanar. With virtually no significant climbing, it is well suited to families, casual walkers or guests looking for a gentle morning or afternoon in the countryside.

Along the way, the route passes the attractive Fairy Lochan and follows paths through silver birch and Scots pine woodland. The wider Glen Tanar Estate forms part of a National Nature Reserve renowned for its native Caledonian pine forest and wildlife.

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 12.5 km / 7.75 miles
Walking time: Approximately 3–3½ hours
Ascent: Approximately 170 metres

For classic Highland scenery without climbing a major summit, the Loch Muick Circuit is one of the best walks in the area.

Located on the Balmoral Estate at the foot of Lochnagar, this mostly level circuit follows good tracks and paths around the loch, with impressive mountain scenery throughout. It also passes Glas-allt-Shiel, the lodge built for Queen Victoria following the death of Prince Albert.

An optional diversion leads towards the Glas Allt Falls, although this section is substantially steeper and can add around an hour to the outing.

With mountain views, beaches, woodland and the chance of seeing red deer, Loch Muick provides a superb half-day adventure for reasonably fit walkers.

Difficulty: Challenging / Advanced
Distance: 19 km / 11.75 miles
Walking time: Approximately 6–7 hours
Ascent: Approximately 930 metres

For experienced hillwalkers looking for something much more demanding, Lochnagar provides one of the great mountain days of Royal Deeside.

Starting from the same Glen Muick area as the Loch Muick circuit, the route climbs towards Lochnagar’s spectacular northern corrie before reaching the summit at Cac Càrn Beag.

Most of the route follows clear tracks and mountain paths, but it includes significant ascent, exposed high ground and a steep boulder section known as The Ladder. Mountain weather can change rapidly, and winter conditions substantially increase the difficulty of the route.

This is a route for properly equipped and experienced walkers rather than a casual countryside stroll.

Picnics can also be arranged by the Estate for your adventure, prepared by a trusted local supplier using delicious local ingredients, perfect for enjoying beside the River Dee, at a scenic viewpoint or during a day exploring the hills and trails of Royal Deeside.

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Distance: Flexible – choose individual sections or combine them for a longer ride

Much of the Deeside Way is also suitable for cycling, making it a natural choice for guests staying at Kincardine.

Following stretches of the former Royal Deeside Railway and connecting villages throughout the Dee Valley, the route provides opportunities for everything from a gentle ride towards Aboyne to a considerably longer excursion towards Banchory or Ballater.

Surfaces vary between old railway track, forest trail, minor roads and paths, so a hybrid, gravel bike, mountain bike or suitable e-bike is generally more versatile than a pure road bike.

Difficulty: Beginner to Advanced
Distance: Variable – individual purpose-built trail sections range from a few hundred metres to more than 1.5 km and can be linked into longer sessions.

For mountain bikers, Tarland Trails is one of the outstanding facilities in the area and Aberdeenshire’s purpose-built mountain-bike trail centre.

There are two principal riding areas. Drummy Woods is particularly good for beginners and intermediate riders, with an easy-going climb, pump track and purpose-built trails that are ideal for learning and improving skills.

The newer Pittenderich area steps things up with longer climbs and a network of flowing blue and more technical red trails featuring berms, rock sections, jumps and drops. Riders can select trails according to their confidence and experience.

This is an excellent excursion for guests wanting anything from a relaxed introduction to mountain biking to several hours of technical riding.

Trail maps: Tarland Trails Maps

Guests do not need to bring their own bicycles to enjoy Royal Deeside.

Bike Station Ballater offers an extensive hire fleet covering conventional and electric bikes, including:

• Mountain bikes
• Electric mountain bikes
• Full-suspension mountain bikes
• Road bikes
• Gravel bikes
• All-terrain and step-through e-bikes
• Junior bikes and family equipment

Helmets, locks and tool kits are included with many of the hire options.

Bikes Delivered Directly to Kincardine Castle

For added convenience, bike delivery to Kincardine Castle can be arranged in advance, allowing your bikes to be waiting for you at the estate.

Bike Station Ballater currently advertises a delivery service covering the Aboyne/Tarland area, with advance notice requested. Delivery can accommodate up to eight bikes per load, and collection can also be arranged.

Alternatively, guests can collect their bikes directly from Bike Station Ballater in Station Square, Ballater, making it easy to combine bike hire with a day exploring Ballater, the Deeside Way or the trails around the Cairngorms.

For Kincardine guests, we recommend arranging delivery or collection requirements directly with Bike Station Ballater in advance.