Aberdeenshire Walk
Bennachie - Oxen Craig and Mither Tap
Maps

Ordnance Survey Explorer 421 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
Anquet OS Explorer 421 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
Ordnance Survey Landranger 38 | Sheet Map | 1:50k | BUY |
Anquet OS Landranger 38 | Digital Map | 1:50k | BUY |
Walk Route Description

Click image to see photo description.
This fine walk to the west of Inverurie offers some fine views and excellent walking. The start of the route is the Back o' Bennachie car park and picnic area (grid ref. NJ661245) where charges apply. The start is reached down a minor road running south from the B9002 just west of Bogend. The route should be saved for fine weather as good visibility provides much wider views across the surrounding countryside and hills.
After parking follow the path south following the signs for the Mither Tap Quarry Trail. The path climbs beside Gillree Burn through forest to reach open hillside. Continue uphill to Little Oxen Craig, the first of four summits visited during the walk before continuing south to Oxen Craig (grid ref. NJ663226), which also the highest point on the walk.
From here descend east and continue across moorland before turning southeast to the rocky summit of Mither Tap with its hilltop fort dating back over 2000 years. To start the return route, continue through the gateway to the fort and head north for just under half a mile to a junction (grid ref. NJ681230). Here bear left and continue in a westerly direction, to reach in a further half a mile the final summit of the walk, Craigshannoch.
Leave this minor top in a south-westerly direction towards Oxen Craig. The path contours around Gill Well, turning northwest to re-join the outward route on the approach to Little Oxen Craig. From here retrace your steps down to the start following signs for Back o' Bennachie.
Other walks nearby
Walk 1771 | Ladder Hills from Chapeltown, Glenlivet | mod/hard | 9.5 miles |
Walk 1777 | Carn Daimh from Glenlivet | moderate | 8.5 miles |
Walk 3108 | Creag Choinnich circular from Braemar | easy/mod | 4.0 miles |
Walk 2706 | Morrone (Morven) from Braemar | moderate | 7.4 miles |
Walk 1864 | Glen Quoich & Glen Lui (near Braemar) | moderate | 10.0 miles |
Recommended Books & eBooks
Navigation
This pocket handbook to navigation will help you master the necessary map and compass skills for mountain walking. Chapters include map scales, symbols and contours, grid references, map reading, bearings, route planning and night and bad-weather navigation, as well as navigating with a GPS.
More information
The National Trails
This inspirational guidebook looks at each of the UK's 19 National Trails, with information that allows ease of comparison and contrast, inspiring you to find out more and to take up a long-distance challenge. Some Trails are short and easy, others much longer, many have strong themes - they may follow a coastline, or traverse ranges of hills.
More information
Further Information
Walk Location Map
Walk grading - Learn how each walk is assessed and select a walk to suit your ability and experience by going to Walk Grading Details.
Accommodation Nearby
Self Catering & Cottage Holidays - Properties throughout the UK & Europe
Mountain Weather
Stay safe on the mountains with detailed weather forecasts - for iOS devices or for Android devices.