Hill: Bennachie
Date: Sunday 2nd June 2013
Company: Myself, Becky and Beinn
Distance: 9.5km, Ascent: 600m

I have ascended Bennachie on numerous occasions. I have also previously documented a Trip Report following much the same route as undertaken today – click here to see previous report. However, today was Becky’s first ascent of Bennachie .

We parked at the Back O’Bennachie car park. As the land is managed by the Forestry Commission, there is now a £2 charge to park here. In return for the £2 charge, you get over-sized signage and highly-visible, obtrusive tracks.

Click here to see a map of the route undertaken

We set off from the Back O’Bennachie car park up the path towards Little Oxencraig.

On the track from Back o’Bennachie to Little Oxencraig:


We stopped for a brief look at the stepping stones before continuing up the hill.

Stepping Stones:


Having a wee rest just beyond the forest:


During the ascent from the edge of the forest to Little Oxencraig, we almost had to jump off the path to avoid being hit by a mountain biker who was coming down the path at a rate of knots.

North Aberdeenshire:


The Buck and Tap O’Noth:


Once beyond the forest there are good views across Aberdeenshire.

Insch:


On reaching Little Oxencraig, we left the main track to visit the small quarry and then returned to the track before ascending to the top.

Little Oxencraig information:


Becky at top of Little Oxencraig:


From Little Oxencraig we made our way across to Oxencraig, the summit of Bennachie.

Looking towards Craigshannoch and Mither Tap from Oxencraig:


Becky and Beinn at the summit shelter on Oxencraig:


It was a bit breezy today – the weather was not as good as forecast. Becky enjoys hillwalking but doesn’t like strong wind.

Holding onto the Oxencraig toposcope:


Looking back towards the summit shelter from the toposcope:


At the summit, we stopped for a bite to eat.

Looking towards Mither Tap from the summit of Bennachie:


Lochnagar (zoom):


Aberdeen (zoom):


From Oxencraig, we debated whether to head fro Craigshannoch or Mither Tap first. We opted for Mither Tap.

En-route to Mither Tap:


As we got closer and closer to Mither Tap, I think Becky was wondering how on earth she would get up it. The ascent is much easier from round the back .

Mither Tap:


Mither Tap:


Small outcrop below Mither Tap:


Awaiting the ascent:


After skirting round the back of Mither Tap, we made our final ascent up through the old fort.

Ascent through the old fort:


Final ascent of Mither Tap:


We didn’t hang around for long at the top of Mither Tap as again it was a little breezy up there.

At the Mither Tap toposcope:


Descent back towards the fort:


From Mither Tap we next made our way across to Craigshannoch.

At the top of Craigshannoch:


Oxencraig from Craigshannoch:


Mither Tap from Craigshannoch:


From Craigshannoch we returned to Little Ozencraig and then descended back to the Back O’Bennachie car park.

Looking back to Craigshannoch from near Little Oxencraig:


There were lots of walkers on Bennachie today- it is definitely a small mountain for the North-East masses.