Early Bird Urban Walk: Bridge of Dee Loop

The clocks are going forward soon, and spring has nearly sprung ☺️ With that in mind we’re seeing if there’s any interest in a few early morning walks to start the day off on the right foot (or left, if you’d rather!!) ⏰

The River Dee is a body of water with many different characteristics; from the crystal clear springs where it bubbles up at source in the Cairngorms, to the tumbling waters and leaping salmon at Falls of Feuch, and here in our fine granite city, the river winds through its urban heart, wide, flat, and serene!  

This is a short walk to get the blood pumping and brains braining, before setting off on the rest of your day!  As an urban walk it runs alongside the river on easy footpath and pavement throughout, in a perfect 3.5 mile/5km loop.  

The Bridge of Dee once marked the southern boundary of the city of Aberdeen, and its 7 granite arches date to 1520, when the construction of the bridge replaced an earlier ferry crossing. The bridge doubled in width, later in the 19th Century, but still features its original C16th coats of arms and passing places.

Our morning walk starts from the parking lay-by at Allenvale cemetery opposite the Duthie Park entrance on Great Southern Road, where there are spaces for several cars. We’ll have a steady pace for a pleasant morning walk. Please note we will depart our start point promptly at 7.15am, to give people who are going to work/uni etc afterwards, time to travel.
 

The route runs alongside the river, before crossing at the Bridge of Dee, where it then follows the river back on the opposite side. We make our way up to Wellington Road, before a paved downward section, which we then follow till we reach the Wellington suspension footbridge and cross back to the other side again. We follow the course of the river, with the chance of spotting herons, various ducks, and occasionally the odd deer! Our route finally takes us past Duthie Park, headed very gently up a slight incline, till we reach the pedestrian crossing back to the start point at the lay-by car park.

There is an option for those who don’t have to rush off somewhere else, to pop into Duthie Park to explore the Winter Gardens, or have refreshments at the cafe afterwards, where you will also find toilets.  

This route takes an hour, so we should be back at the carpark for 8.15am.
 

While this walk doesn't take us into mountainous, or wild terrain; the usual cautions to dress appropriately for the weather (it’s still Aberdeen!!) and to wear supportive footwear still apply. We will want to take care of our surroundings, especially when crossing roads or on the bridge itself (where we’ll cross in single file). You may want to take a small bottle of water or similar (ideally reusable to limit AYW’s impact on our environment) and light portable snack, if you think you might get peckish. 

This is a AYW walk, so we’ll take a register using the Ramblers app. If this is your 4th walk or more with us, you’re required to join Ramblers (which gives you access to various retail discounts, informative magazines over the course of the year, as well as access to information/training through the Ramblers website and dedicated members space online!)