Ben Rinnes from Glen Rinnes
Moray
Ben Rinnes is the dominant summit of Moray, a Corbett rising above Glen Rinnes, and a very popular hillwalk. The route crosses open moorland with fences and gates where sheep and ground-nesting birds are likely, so a fit dog spends much of this climb on a lead. The standard route starts from a parking area on a minor road off the B9009, with space for around twenty cars. A track zigzags up Round Hill, where Ben Rinnes first comes into view, then a wide path passes through a gate and climbs Roy's Hill. The main ascent up the Black Banks has been rebuilt by the Friends of Ben Rinnes into a zigzag line with pitched stone steps, and short-cutting is discouraged to prevent erosion. At the top, the trig point sits on a granite tor, protected by a steel cover and capped with a view indicator, and the view takes in most of the Moray coast, Bennachie in Aberdeenshire and the Cairngorms to the west, with the tors of Ben Avon prominent. The walk is 7.5km there and back with 541 metres of climbing on a well-worn hill path.
This dog friendly hill suits fit dogs that enjoy a proper climb, and the path is good underfoot all the way. It crosses open moorland with fences and gates, so expect grazing sheep and ground-nesting birds in spring and summer, and keep your dog on a lead through those seasons. The summit is exposed, with no water above the lower slopes, so carry plenty. There are no facilities at the start.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 7.5 km (4.7 miles)
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Duration
- 3 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Peak, Moorland
- Route Type
- Out and Back
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- None at the parking area or on the hill; shops, cafes and pubs in Dufftown and Aberlour.
- Parking
- Roadside parking area for around 20 cars on a minor road off the B9009 in Glen Rinnes; fills at busy times.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Ben Rinnes from Glen Rinnes, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in MorayFrequently Asked Questions
Is Ben Rinnes from Glen Rinnes dog friendly?
Ben Rinnes earns a 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness — it's a rewarding hill for fit, active dogs who enjoy a proper climb. The path is well-built and good underfoot all the way to the summit, but the open moorland setting means dogs need to be on a lead through sections with sheep and ground-nesting birds, particularly in spring and summer.
Can dogs be off lead at Ben Rinnes from Glen Rinnes?
There are stretches where a confident, well-trained dog could enjoy some off-lead time, but the route crosses open moorland with fences and gates where sheep graze and ground-nesting birds are present. During spring and summer especially, you should expect to keep your dog on a lead for much of the climb — the description notes that even a fit dog spends a good portion of this route on the lead.
What should I know before visiting Ben Rinnes from Glen Rinnes with my dog?
This is a 7.5km round trip with 541 metres of climbing, so it suits a fit dog rather than a younger puppy or an older dog who tires easily. The summit is exposed and there's no water source above the lower slopes, so bring plenty to drink for both of you. There are no facilities at the parking area or on the hill itself, though Dufftown and Aberlour have shops, cafes and pubs if you need to stock up beforehand.
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Ben Rinnes Parking Area, minor road off B9009, Glen Rinnes, Dufftown AB55 4DA
57.4082, -3.1921
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