The Gordon Way is a waymarked hiking trail in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It runs for 11+12 miles (18.5 km)[1] through the Bennachie Forest. The route was one of a series maintained by the Forestry Commission and Aberdeenshire Council. In 2016, the council withdrew completely from its maintaining the route (a cost of £9,486 per year) due to budgetary constraints.[2]

Gordon Way
The trail passing through heathland on the slopes of Oxen Craig
Length11+12 miles (18.5 km)[1]
LocationAberdeenshire, Scotland
TrailheadsBennachie Centre
57°17′05″N 2°29′56″W / 57.2847°N 2.4989°W / 57.2847; -2.4989 (Gordon Way (Bennachie Centre trailhead))
Suie car park
57°17′49″N 2°45′13″W / 57.2970°N 2.7535°W / 57.2970; -2.7535 (Gordon Way (Suie car park trailhead))
UseHiking
Elevation change2,320 ft (710 m)
Highest pointWatch Craig, 1,475 ft (450 m)
Lowest pointBennachie Centre, 450 ft (140 m)

Route edit

The trail runs from the Essons car park at the Bennachie Centre, near Inverurie, through the Bennachie Forest, crossing the Bridge of Alford to Clatt road at the bealach between Bennachie and Suie Hill, to the Suie car park, which is located on the bealach between Suie Hill and Hill of Millmedden, 3 miles (4.8 km) south-east of Rhynie. There are plans to extend the route to Rhynie in future,[3] with a proposed extension from Inverurie to Huntly through Rhynie.[2] The route follows former peat extraction routes.[4]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Bennachie leaflet map" (PDF). Forestry and Land Scotland. 2019. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Aberdeenshire Council withdraws from funding scenic walkway". The Press and Journal. 29 January 2016.
  3. ^ "Gordon Way". The Long Distance Walkers Association. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  4. ^ "The Gordon Way". Forestry Commission. Retrieved 23 July 2009.

57°17′00″N 2°39′02″W / 57.2834°N 2.6506°W / 57.2834; -2.6506 (Gordon Way)