The best walks and hikes around The Bin Forest

The Bin Forest is located near Huntly in Aberdeenshire. The main access point is a well-signposted car park situated off the A96, approximately two miles north of Huntly. The car park also has picnic benches, making it a convenient starting point for your hike.

Yes, The Bin Forest is a great place for dog walking. The woodland trails offer plenty of space for dogs to explore. Please keep your dog under control, especially around other walkers and wildlife, and follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

The Ferny Knowe Trail is an excellent choice for families. It's a short, easy loop that takes about an hour, passing through pleasant woodland with impressive larch trees. It's a gentle walk suitable for most fitness levels.

The Gallon of Water Trail is the most strenuous of the main marked routes. This 6-kilometer trail involves a steep climb to the summit of Bin Hill. The path can be narrow and muddy, but your effort is rewarded with panoramic views across the Huntly countryside.

The 'Gallon of Water' is a small, shallow pool located at the summit of Bin Hill. Historically, it was believed to have healing properties. While it's no longer used for medicinal purposes, it adds a touch of local folklore and mystique to the summit.

The 'Queen Trees' are magnificent grand firs found within The Bin Forest, particularly along the Queen Tree Trail. Some of these trees date back to the 1840s and are descendants of seeds brought from North America, making them some of the oldest of their kind in Scotland.

Yes, the main walking routes are well-signposted. There are three primary marked trails—the Ferny Knowe Trail (easy), the Queen Tree Trail (moderate), and the Gallon of Water Trail (strenuous)—each with its own waymarkers to guide you through the forest.

The most expansive, panoramic views are from the summit of Bin Hill, which you can reach via the Gallon of Water Trail. From the top, you can see across the Deveron Valley and the wider Huntly countryside. Lower trails offer beautiful woodland scenery through sections of larch and grand fir trees.

Most of the main trails in The Bin Forest are designed as loops. For a straightforward circular route, consider the The Bin Forest loop from Huntly. This 6.7 km walk is a great way to experience the heart of the woodland.

The terrain varies depending on the trail. Lower paths like the Ferny Knowe Trail are generally wide and gentle. The Queen Tree Trail is a moderate path through older woodland. The trail to the summit of Bin Hill is steeper, narrower, and can become muddy, especially after rain, so appropriate footwear is recommended.

While not directly inside The Bin Forest, some nearby routes incorporate the castle. The Huntly Castle Ruins loop from Huntly is a moderate 9 km walk that takes you past the historic ruins, combining local history with a pleasant hike.

The area is well-regarded by the komoot community. Hikers often praise the well-signposted routes that cater to different abilities and the beauty of the mature woodland, particularly the impressive 'Queen Trees'.