(101) Belwade Farm Ramble (Aberdeenshire)

Route Summary
A varied and interesting walk that will be especially suitable for anyone looking for a short but invigorating country ramble in the scenic natural environment of Deeside. Belwade Farm have provided information boards about horse welfare at various points on the route.

Duration: 1.5 hours.

Route Overview
Duration: 1.5 hours.
Transport/Parking: Stagecoach run regular bus services to Aboyne. Check timetables. To walk to the Belwade Visitor Centre from the A93 adds 1.7 km (3.4 km return). Free parking outside the Belwade Visitor Centre.
Length: 5.100 km / 3.23 mi
Height Gain: 80 meter. Height Loss: 80 meter.
Max Height: 175 meter. Min Height: 149 meter.
Surface: Moderate. Mostly on grassy farm roads or woodland paths, mostly but not all, hard surfaced. Softer paths may be muddy. Not suitable for offroad mobility scooters due to steps at Waypoint 7. A shortened route (approx half the distance) is possible by returning to the start along farm roads from Waypoint 5.
Difficulty: Easy.
Child Friendly: Yes, if children are used to walks of this distance.
Dog Friendly: Yes. On lead on public roads and near horses/farm animals.
Refreshments: Excellent cafe in the Belwade Visitors Centre (not open Mon or Tue). Otherwise, options in Aboyne.

Description
This is a delightful short walk in the pleasingly scenic mid-Deeside countryside, with the added bonus of being surrounded by a wonderful array of rescue horses who are cared for and/or rehabilitated by the World Horse Welfare Belwade Farm. Our described route combines the way-marked Viewpoint and Riverside routes, passing through fenced pastures to an open vantage point where views of the Deeside hills and countryside can be enjoyed to the full, before descending to savour a stroll through the mature pines of Bell Wood, on the outskirts of Aboyne. The final section meanders along a farm track by the banks of the Tarland Burn and River Dee before returning to the Belwade stables, where the informative Visitor Centre houses an excellent bistro/café. From TripAdvisor: “Belwade Farm , the Scottish Home for World Horse Welfare. Rehabilitating Horses/Ponies and Donkeys from all over the UK, who have needed to come into our care. Come and see the work that we do to help them to find their forever homes. Apart from this, we are in possibly the most beautiful part of Royal Deeside and there are plenty of walks with your dogs. Enjoy a lovely lunch or coffee in our scenic Bistro. Or maybe celebrate your special occasion within our Stone Circle, or use our conference facilities. Belwade has so much to offer everyone … not forgetting our Fairy Garden for the kids young and old .Come and see for yourself. Open Weds through to Sunday 11am – 4.00pm, other times by arrangement. Please see our website for up and coming events at Belwade Farm.”