Marilyn · Cairngorms
Benaquhallie
Benaquhallie reaches 494m on a quiet stretch of moorland between the Don and Dee, a rounded heathery dome offering big skies and views to Lochnagar. One of the lesser-walked Aberdeenshire Marilyns, with a real sense of solitude.
Quick facts
- Height
- 494m/ 1621ft
- Grid ref
- NJ 60641 08691
- Nearest city
- Aberdeen· 34km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
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Standard route
heather moorland 70% · grass slopes 20% · rocky summit 10%
Estate tracks from the road near Tornaveen provide the standard line up the broad east flank. Expect 6-7km return with about 250m of ascent — a comfortable half-day at 2.5-3 hours. A modest cairn picks out the high point on the broad heathery dome.
Terrain
Good Land Rover tracks for most of the climb. Shorter heather and grass on the final pull to the cairn. Generally well-drained for an Aberdeenshire moorland hill.
In winter
A reasonable winter walk when the higher Cairngorms are inhospitable. Frozen tracks aid progress, though new snowfall can drift across the exposed plateau.
This hill is in the Northern Cairngorms SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow5h 20m
- Edinburgh3h 26m
OS maps: OS Landranger 37, OS Explorer 059E, OS Explorer 405E
Mobile signal: Moderate. EE intermittent; better toward Banchory.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:14
- Sunset
- 22:08
- Civil dawn
- 03:05
- Civil dusk
- 23:17
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Around Benaquhallie on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Benaquhallie — common questions
- How hard is Benaquhallie?
- Benaquhallie is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Good Land Rover tracks for most of the climb.
- When is the best time to climb Benaquhallie?
- The standard good-weather months for Benaquhallie are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
- Can I bring my dog up Benaquhallie?
- Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
- Is there mobile signal on Benaquhallie?
- Moderate. EE intermittent; better toward Banchory.
- Is Benaquhallie safe in winter?
- A reasonable winter walk when the higher Cairngorms are inhospitable. Frozen tracks aid progress, though new snowfall can drift across the exposed plateau.
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