Cycling routes
Short distance cycle routes - Aberdeenshire towns
Aberdeenshire Council works in partnership with Cycling UK, a national charity whose aim is to tackle the barriers to cycling. They are involved in a number of projects throughout Aberdeenshire such as cycle led rides, cycle training and bike maintenance.
Cycling UK have produced helpful videos of cycling in some of our towns in Aberdeenshire. They aim to provide you with some advice on good routes around the towns to key destinations.
All routes are planned, filmed and edited by Cycling UK, as part of the Aberdeenshire Bothy project. In partnership with Aberdeenshire Council and funded by Smarter Choices Smarter Places.
For more information about the project please contact aberdeenshirebothy@cyclinguk.org.
View cycle guides and maps for:
Ellon
View cycle routes in Ellon:
Town centre west loop
A 3.5-mile loop starting from Market Street car park. Heads along the Rider Side Walk shared-use path through Gordon Park, passing by Aldi superstore, Ellon Primary School and Auchterellon Primary School. Suitable for all, on quiet roads and shared-use paths.
View video guide for Ellon town centre - west loop.
View map for Ellon town centre - west loop (PDF 157KB).
The big loop
A 3.7-mile loop, starting out from Market Street car park. Taking you along the Riverside Path and around town along quiet roads and shared-use paths.
View video guide for Ellon big loop.
View map for Ellon big loop (PDF 109KB).
Ellon south circular route
A 2.8-mile route starting out from Ellon Town Centre heading west on the shared use path alongside the River Ythan. Making use of the new Academy footbridge to cross to the other side of the river. Then joining the shared use path round to South Road before heading back to the town centre via Meiklemill School and Gordon Park.
View video guide for Ellon south – circular route.
View map for Ellon south – circular route (PDF 110KB).
Fraserburgh
View cycle routes in Fraserburgh:
Sandhaven leisure route
A 3.5-mile family friendly route from the lighthouse statue at the junction of Watermill Road and the B9031 Sandhaven Road, along to Sandhaven using the shared use path following the coastline. Once in the village of Sandhaven you can explore, hunt for shells or enjoy a picnic by the sea before heading back on the same path.
View video guide for Sandhaven Leisure route.
View map for Sandhaven Leisure route (PDF 93KB).
Fraserburgh town circular route
A 4-mile route which starts and finishes at The Esplanade. Heading North and circulating the town making use of shared use paths where possible, this route makes it easy to peel off onto side roads to access Fraserburgh's facilities such as the sports centre, Academy, Hospital and NESCOL. The return takes you onto the Formartine and Buchan way enjoying traffic free views of the sea before finishing back at The Esplanade.
View video guide for Fraserburgh Town Circular route.
View map for Fraserburgh Town Circular route (PDF 109KB).
Huntly
View cycle routes in Huntly:
Town square to Tesco superstore loop
A 2-mile loop starting from the town square and passing Tesco superstore. Suitable for all, on quiet roads and shared-use paths.
View video guide for Town centre to Tesco superstore loop route.
View map for Town centre to Tesco superstore loop route (PDF 119KB).
Town square to Dean’s of Huntly loop
A 2-mile loop from Huntly town square, passing the train station, Asda superstore and Dean’s of Huntly. Suitable for all, most on quiet roads.
View video guide for Town centre to Dean’s of Huntly route.
View map for Town centre to Dean’s of Huntly route (PDF 161KB).
Huntly castle leisure ride
A 2-mile loop starting at the town square, passing children’s play areas, recreational fields, Huntly Castle, Nordic Outdoor and Ski Centre and alongside the River Deveron. This is a family friendly leisure route, mostly along shared-use paths. It can be shortened by starting at the castle and just following the shared-use paths within the park.
View video guide for Huntly castle leisure ride route.
View map for Huntly castle leisure ride route (PDF 130KB).
Huntly to Greenmyres eco bothy (long and quick versions)
A 6-mile trip from Huntly to Greenmyres Eco Bothy (12 mile return journey). Stunning views as the route takes you up into the hills. Suitable for more advanced riders due to hills, or perfect for all on one of Huntly District and Development Trust’s hire e-bikes!
View the long video guide for Greenmyres eco bothy route.
View the short video guide for Greenmyres eco bothy route.
Inverurie
View cycle routes in Inverurie:
Town centre to Port Elphinstone loop
A 3.5-mile loop starting from the Inverurie Swimming Centre at Garioch Community Centre. Passing Kellands Park, Port Elphinstone Primary School, Davidson Field and Kellands School. Suitable for all, on quiet roads and shared-use paths.
View video guide for town centre to Port Elphinstone loop.
View map for town centre to Port Elphinstone loop (PDF 117KB).
Town centre to John Sorrie Estate loop
A 3.8-mile loop, starting from the Inverurie Swimming Centre at Garioch Community Centre. Passing Strathburn School, Strathburn Park, Andersons of Inverurie and Morrisons Superstore. Suitable for all, on quiet roads and shared-use paths.
View video guide for town centre to John Sorrie Estate loop.
View map for town centre to John Sorrie Estate loop (PDF 119KB).
Train station to Uryside loop
A 2.5-mile loop starting from Inverurie train station. Passing through Ury Riverside Park and by Uryside School. Suitable for all, mostly on shared-use paths.
View video guide for train station to Uryside loop.
View map for train station to Uryside loop (PDF 113KB).
Portlethen
View cycle routes in Inverurie:
Hillside loop
A 2-mile loop starting and ending at Hillside Primary School. It passes through several housing estates and incorporates local shops, children’s play areas and many shared-use paths. Suitable for all.
View video guide for hillside loop.
View map for hillside loop (PDF 108KB).
Town circular loop
A 3-mile loop taking you from the shops at The Green past Fishermoss Primary school, around and through housing areas to the South and East of Portlethen to get to the retail park. Then heading up past the post office, Portlethen Primary school and train station before looping behind the Academy and back to The Green.
View video guide for town circular loop.
View map for town circular loop (PDF 106KB).
Coastal leisure route
A 4.5-mile loop setting off from the shops at The Green. This route takes you behind Bourtree Park to the Swimming Pool from where you take the Downies Road out to the coast at Downies. Following the coastline using the Old Coast Road with beautiful views of farmland and the sea to cut through to Craigmarn Road before taking the Hillhead Steadings lane to return to The Green shops via Oak Drive and Berrymuir Road.