Gravel Cycling
Deeside Way
Aberdeen to Ballater on the waymarked riverside path, partly on the old Deeside Railway
Quick facts
- Distance
- 66 km (41 mi)
- Ascent
- Not published
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Route type
- Linear
- Archetype
- Railway Path
- Region
- Royal Deeside
- Start point
- Duthie Park, Aberdeen
- Grid ref
- NJ 938 043
- Parking
- AB11 7TH
- Midges
- Low
- Dogs
- On lead only
Surface breakdown
- Railway path80%
- Tarmac single-track12%
- Forest track8%
About this route
The Deeside Way is a 66 km (41-mile) waymarked path from Duthie Park in Aberdeen to Ballater, part of the National Cycle Network as Route 195. It follows the bed of the former Deeside Railway in part, and broadly follows the River Dee the rest of the way.
From Duthie Park the path runs on the old line to Peterculter, with breaks at quiet country roads and a larger one at the busy Milltimber Brae. It then follows a country road and a narrow path into Drumoak, a short pavement beside the A93, the old line again to Crathes, more pavement beside the A93 and A957, and the path past Milton of Crathes to Bellfield Park in Banchory. From Banchory it crosses to the south side of the river through Blackhall Woods to Potarch, returns to the north side, runs through the main street of Kincardine O'Neil and on through the Dess woods to rejoin the railway line near the former Dess station. East of Aboyne there is a gap of about a mile, from Kirkton to the Victory Hall, where users are allowed to pass on the unimproved old railway. The path finishes at Station Square in Ballater.
Highlights
- Crathes Castle and Drum Castle, both close to the route
- The south-bank section through Blackhall Woods between Banchory and Potarch
- Muir of Dinnet and the Cambus O'May bridge
- Station Square, Ballater, at the western end
Key waypoints
- 1. Duthie Park
- 2. Peterculter
- 3. Drumoak
- 4. Crathes
- 5. Banchory
- 6. Potarch
- 7. Kincardine O'Neil
- 8. Aboyne
- 9. Dinnet
- 10. Ballater
Accessibility
The Deeside Way follows a former railway alignment for much of its length — 80% railway path, with gradients typically below 1:50. This makes it accessible to Gravel bike, E-bike. The path is shared with walkers and dog-walkers — use a bell and slow near pedestrians, particularly near Duthie Park and Potarch.
Route notes
Waymarked throughout, with short sections on country roads and beside the A93 and A957 — take care at the road crossings, especially Milltimber Brae. The path crosses both Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire. Sections within Aberdeen have been tarmacked; elsewhere the surface is aggregate, resurfaced in Aberdeenshire in 2015 and 2021. There is no railway to Ballater, so plan your own return.
Year-round conditions
Rideable all year. Some lower sections in Aberdeen can be muddy in autumn and winter; October colour in the Deeside woods is a highlight.
Key hazards
- Shared path — slow down for walkers and dogs, especially near Duthie Park and in Banchory
- Road crossings and short sections beside the A93 and A957
- Unimproved old railway on the gap east of Aboyne (Kirkton to the Victory Hall)
Water sources on route
- Villages along the route — Banchory, Aboyne and Ballater have shops
Always filter or treat water from natural sources. Carry at least 1L reserve on remote sections.
OS map sheets
Nearest hill
Mount Battock
778m · cairngorms
View hill
Nearest bothy
Gelder Shiel Stable
Walk-in not published · cairngorms
View bothy
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 07:16
- Sunset
- 16:28
- Civil dawn
- 06:35
- Civil dusk
- 17:09
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 October 2026
Common questions
- How long is the Deeside Way?
- 66 km (41 miles), from Duthie Park in Aberdeen to Station Square in Ballater. It is National Cycle Network Route 195.
- Can I return from Ballater by train?
- No — the Deeside Railway closed and there is no train to Ballater. Buses run along Deeside; check the operator's current timetable and whether it carries bikes before relying on it.
- Is the Deeside Way all on the old railway?
- No. It follows the old line in part, but uses country roads, pavements beside the A93 and A957, a section on the south side of the river between Banchory and Potarch, and the main street of Kincardine O'Neil.
- Do I need a gravel bike?
- Not necessarily. The path is mostly tarmac or aggregate, so a hybrid or gravel bike with tyres around 35 mm or wider is comfortable. Expect mud on some lower sections in autumn and winter.
After the ride
Resupply, eat, drink — on the SCOT network.
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