Around Aberdeen - 5 Hills

To the North and West of Aberdeen lie 5 hills. None of these are exactly mountains (the highest is 265m high) but they do provide some excellent and varied and mountain biking. Best of all they can easily be linked up into one big ride.

Tyrebagger Hill

The look out tower at Tyrebagger Hill. And my Lobster

I was always feel very smug spinning through the suburbs early on a Sunday morning as most of the city has a lie in. This was no exception. I was soon onto the rough stuff cutting through Craibstone College, West Woods and Clinterty Woods and across the A96 to Kirkhill Forest.

Kirkhill is a popular spot with local mountain bikers due to its close proximity to the city and varied trails. This means that there is a bit of something for everyone here and I am still finding new, challenging trails.

Today I took the easy option and climbed the fire road and footpath to the summit of my first hill of the day, Tyrebagger Hill notable for its stone lookout tower and fine views of Bennachie and the Don valley.

There are 4 options down from the top; I took the steep grassy path to the West and then turned right when I met the fire road again.

Hill of Marcus

Starting the descent off of the Hill of Marcus

The Hill of Marcus is really a Northern spur of Tyrebagger Hill, but it is still a muddy scramble to the top. The descent down the North-Westerly bridle path makes up for it.

I then enjoyed myself blasting down some favourite singletrack back to the car park, across the A96 and back into Clinterty Woods.

Elrick Hill

Nice spot for a picnic on Elrick Hill

Adjoining Clinterty Woods is Elrick Hill, a very different beast to the two hills North of the A96. No planted pines and forestry commission fire roads here. The trails are narrow and rocky across open gorse covered hillside.

After pushing the last section to the top I made use of the picnic tables and ate my lunch. The best and most technical descent of the day followed. Although the conditions had generally been very heavy, the rocky nature of the trails meant this was still a real blast.

Brimmond Hill

The view of Aberdeen from Brimmond Hill. And my bike again

More smugness as I skirted the golf course musing how much better mountain biking is than golf (is there anything worse than golf?) Thankfully there is tarred road all the way to the top of Brimmond Hill. Not only is this the highest of the lot but the heavy trails were beginning to take their toll on my legs.

Again a choice of descents. I chose the easy option as my the scars on my legs from the vicious gorse bushes hadn't healed from the last time I tried the harder route.

The last part of this downhill in particular is a real speed blast and as per usual I arrived at the gate with brake discs glowing.

Kingshill

The final section of the descent from Kingshill

A short road section (more relief for the legs) followed, crossing the busy A944 and up the track opposite East Kingsford.

I have to confess I've not actually found the trig point at the top of Kingshill as the woods are a bit dense there. I must've been near as there didn't seem to be anymore uphill. I gave up searching when a large stick flipped into my front wheel and sent me flying over the handle bars.

The top section of this descent is going to be superb in the summer. It twists tightly through trees, full of roots to slide over and logs to drop off. It's a bit swampy at the moment but still very good. In contrast the final part opens out of the trees presenting a wide, steep, rocky path where you pick a line, hope it's not too severe and hang on tight.

Having bagged all five hills I span home through Countesswells, Foggieton and then back along the old Deeside Railway line where I always get strange looks from the people emptying their dogs, splattered head to toe in mud and grinning, albeit tiredly.

Posted: 02/04/06