Black Hillocks, Clachnaben and Hill of Edendocher Loop

This medium-grade loop in Glen Dye links three very different hill experiences into one outing: the broad moorland shoulders of Black Hillocks, the airy ridge running over the Hill of Edendocher, and the unmistakable granite crown of Clachnaben. Expect roughly 16 km / 10 miles with around 600 m / 1,970 ft of ascent, which is enough to feel like a full hill day without becoming a major mountain expedition. The terrain is varied rather than relentlessly steep: lower estate tracks and path sections, wetter moorland in places, a sustained climb onto open hill, and a rockier finish around Clachnaben’s summit tor. The route is best suited to hikers comfortable with uneven ground, changing weather, and a few rougher sections underfoot. Clachnaben itself rises to about 589 m / 1,932 ft and is one of the best-known hills in this part of Aberdeenshire, famous for the huge granite tor that makes it visible from far across the surrounding country. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

The usual start is the Clachnaben Quarry car park / Glen Dye car park on the B974, just north of the Bridge of Dye in Glen Dye, Aberdeenshire. A commonly used sat-nav reference for the trailhead is AB31 6NE, and the car park is described as a small old quarry beside the B974. It is free, but it is also often busy and can fill quickly on good-weather weekends. There are no toilets at the start, and mobile signal can be poor to nonexistent, so it is worth downloading your route on HiiKER before setting out. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

By car, the approach is straightforward from either direction on the B974. From Banchory, head south through Strachan and continue over the old Cairn o’ Mount road; the car park is on the right after roughly 5 miles / 8 km beyond Strachan. From the south, drivers usually come via Fettercairn and continue north on the B974 past the Clattering Brig area, with the car park appearing on the left after about another 5 miles / 8 km. (cyclegrampian.co.uk)

Public transport is the awkward part. There is no regular public transport to the trailhead itself, and the standard Clachnaben start is specifically noted as having none. The nearest practical bus access is usually Banchory on the Stagecoach 201 corridor from Aberdeen, after which you would need a taxi or a long road approach. For planning current connections, Traveline Scotland is the official journey-planning source for bus and rail in Scotland. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

Route character and what to expect

The opening part of the day is deceptive. From the quarry car park, the established Clachnaben path initially trends through plantation and lower ground rather than climbing immediately, so the first section can feel gentler than the overall statistics suggest. On the standard hill route, walkers descend slightly toward the glen bottom, cross a bridge, and then begin the more meaningful ascent near Millar’s Bog. On this longer loop, that lower section acts as the gateway to the wider circuit, where the route broadens out into more remote-feeling moorland and ridge terrain than the popular out-and-back to Clachnaben alone. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

Black Hillocks and the Hill of Edendocher add distance and a stronger sense of journey. Instead of simply heading straight for the tor and returning, the loop swings around the front of Clachnaben before climbing onto higher, more open ground. This gives a more complete view of the landscape: rolling heather moor, long ridgelines, and the granite summit feature gradually growing in scale as the route curves back toward it. The extra mileage also means pacing matters more than on the shorter 9 km / 5.5 mile Clachnaben walk. Even though the difficulty is only medium overall, the combination of distance, exposure, and rougher hill sections can feel harder in wind, rain, or low cloud.