Fetteresso Forest, a region in Aberdeenshire, northeastern Scotland, is characterized by its extensive mixed woodland, rolling hills, and watercourses like the Cowie Water. Situated within the Mounth range of the Grampian Mountains, its diverse landscape offers varied terrain suitable for several outdoor activities. The area features mature woodland stands and elevated points such as Cairn Mon Earn, providing a natural setting for exploration. This varied geography makes Fetteresso Forest a destination for several sports like hiking, mountain biking, gravel biking,…
103
Routes
4.3
(230)
Average rating
2630
People visited

4.6
(81)
302
hikers
9.11km
02:29
130m
130m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(99)
806
hikers
7.07km
02:00
150m
150m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.3
(3)
107
hikers
5.22km
01:23
60m
60m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(5)
92
hikers
10.1km
03:10
390m
390m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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3.0
(1)
23
riders
35.8km
03:00
550m
550m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

16
riders
11.7km
01:13
410m
400m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.0
(1)
9
riders
27.5km
02:12
430m
430m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
11
riders
26.4km
02:32
620m
620m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.0
(1)
40
riders
65.0km
04:56
1,060m
1,060m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.3
(3)
23
riders
26.6km
02:20
470m
470m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

18
riders
48.8km
03:15
690m
690m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
14
riders
30.7km
02:09
430m
430m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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48
riders
32.3km
01:32
360m
360m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

37
riders
52.6km
02:27
530m
530m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
31
riders
58.5km
02:41
610m
610m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

26
riders
53.4km
02:34
570m
570m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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32
runners
11.4km
01:25
280m
280m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

18
runners
11.9km
01:20
190m
190m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

11
runners
5.02km
00:34
80m
80m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

10
runners
6.01km
00:39
120m
120m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
14
riders
27.6km
02:21
470m
470m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.0
(1)
15
riders
40.5km
03:40
710m
710m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
11
riders
11.9km
00:58
190m
190m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

13
riders
11.4km
01:06
350m
340m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Fetteresso Forest offers a variety of outdoor activities, including Hiking, Mountain biking, Gravel biking, Road cycling, Jogging, and Touring cycling. The forest features 35 routes across these sports, catering to different skill levels. More than 40,000 visitors have explored the area.
Yes, Fetteresso Forest has a network of hiking trails, from gentle woodland strolls to more challenging routes. Popular options include the "Forest – Cairn Mon Earn Summit loop" and the "Hill of Three Stones Circular." Find more routes in the Hiking around Fetteresso Forest guide.
Fetteresso Forest is a key destination for mountain biking, offering specially designed trails with varying difficulty levels. Trails like "Fetty Mid Line" and "Born Slippy" provide singletrack experiences. Approximately 50 mountain biking trails are available, many accessible to e-bikes. Explore them with the MTB Trails around Fetteresso Forest guide.
Yes, Fetteresso Forest provides numerous gravel biking routes suitable for different fitness levels. These routes encompass challenging climbs and scenic trails, with options like the "Fetteresso Gravel" covering over 25 miles (40 kilometers) on unpaved surfaces. Consult the Gravel biking around Fetteresso Forest guide for more information.
Road cycling opportunities exist within and around Fetteresso Forest, particularly on paved sections and access roads like the Slug Road. The area includes tarmac roads, such as the one leading to the Raedykes Roman site. Discover routes in the Road Cycling Routes around Fetteresso Forest guide.
Fetteresso Forest offers trails suitable for families, including gentle woodland strolls. These routes provide an accessible way to experience the forest's natural environment. Find suitable options in the Family-friendly hikes around Fetteresso Forest guide.
The forest is characterized by extensive mixed woodland, rolling hills, and watercourses like the Cowie Water. It is situated within the Mounth range of the Grampian Mountains, featuring peaks such as the Hill of Blacklodge (1,125 feet / 343 meters) and Cairn Mon Earn. The area is also home to wildlife like roe deer and red squirrels.
Fetteresso Forest is near several historical sites, including the 14th-century Fetteresso Castle and Drum Castle. The archaeological site of Raedykes Roman Camp is also in the vicinity. The iconic Dunnottar Castle is located close to the forest area.
Fetteresso Forest is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 40,000 visitors having shared their experiences. The routes in the region have an average rating of 4.42 out of 5 stars. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among outdoor enthusiasts.
Komoot offers several guides for Fetteresso Forest, covering various activities and interests. These include Hiking around Fetteresso Forest, MTB Trails around Fetteresso Forest, and Gravel biking around Fetteresso Forest. Other guides focus on family-friendly hikes, easy hikes, and traffic-free bike rides.
Fetteresso Forest is managed by Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS). Their management focuses on sustainability, biodiversity, and public access. This ensures a well-maintained environment for visitors and the protection of natural resources.
Official information about Fetteresso Forest, including its management and land use plans, can be found on the Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) website. The Mearns Land Management Plan, which covers Fetteresso, is available there. Visit the FLS website for details: forestryandland.gov.scot.

