The best walks and hikes around Ellon

Ellon offers a wide variety of hiking opportunities, with over 90 routes recorded on komoot. These range from easy riverside strolls to more moderate trails through woodlands and farmland, ensuring options for different fitness levels.

Hiking in Ellon provides a diverse range of landscapes. You'll find picturesque riverside paths along the River Ythan, dramatic coastal scenery with sand dunes and heathland at the Ythan Estuary and Forvie National Nature Reserve, and tranquil routes through low, undulating hills and woodlands further inland.

Yes, Ellon has several easy, family-friendly options. The Ellon Old Bridge loop is a popular choice, offering a gentle 3.3-mile (5.3 km) path along the River Ythan. Other accessible paths include the Start of Ellon Parkrun – Gordon Park loop and the Meiklemill Footbridge – Ellon Old Bridge loop, perfect for a relaxed outing.

Many of the trails around Ellon are dog-friendly, especially those through woodlands and along the river. However, when hiking near the Ythan Estuary or Forvie National Nature Reserve, it's important to keep dogs under close control or on a lead, particularly during nesting seasons or near wildlife such as seals and birds, to protect the sensitive natural habitats.

Absolutely. Many routes in Ellon are designed as circular walks, allowing you to start and end at the same point. Popular options include the Ellon Old Bridge loop, the Logierieve Wood loop, and the Ellon Viaduct loop, all offering varied scenery.

For wildlife enthusiasts, the Ythan Estuary and the adjacent Forvie National Nature Reserve are prime locations. Here, you can spot seals, eider ducks, and various tern species. The woodlands around Ellon, such as those on the Logierieve Wood loop, also offer opportunities to see local birdlife and other small animals.

Yes, Ellon's hiking routes often pass by or lead to interesting historical sites. The Forvie National Nature Reserve contains the remains of a 12th-century church buried by shifting dunes. Additionally, the Ellon Circular Walk explores the town's main historical features, and the nearby Ellon Castle Gardens offer ancient English yews and castle ruins.

The hiking trails in Ellon are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.6 stars from around 200 reviews. Hikers often praise the region's diverse scenery, well-maintained paths, and the peaceful atmosphere of the riverside and woodland routes.

Yes, the Formartine and Buchan Way, a former railway line, passes through Ellon and offers a fantastic traffic-free path for longer walks. You can enjoy sections like the 7.5-mile (12 km) stretch from Ellon to Auchnagatt, which winds through rolling farmland and woodlands.

Beyond the River Ythan itself, the Ythan Estuary is a significant natural habitat, home to a large seal colony at Newburgh Beach. The Sands of Forvie, part of the Forvie National Nature Reserve, are Britain's fifth-largest sand dune system and offer a dramatic coastal landscape largely undisturbed by human activity.

For those seeking a bit more challenge, the Logierieve Wood loop is a moderate 5.9-mile (9.4 km) trail that takes you through quiet woodland areas and open farmland. The Ellon Viaduct loop, at 5.4 miles (8.7 km), also offers a good moderate option exploring the local countryside.