Crathes Castle Ley Way Woodland Trail
Aberdeenshire
Crathes Castle, three miles east of Banchory in Royal Deeside, is a sixteenth-century tower house of turrets and painted ceilings, set among yew hedges planted as early as 1702. The National Trust for Scotland welcomes dogs on every trail here, with the Coy Burn and a mill pond for a drink, though livestock grazes parts of the estate, so close control is needed. It manages the surrounding estate as parkland and woods with six waymarked trails, and the Ley Way, also called the Red Squirrel Trail, is the longest. Following red waymarkers from the grassy area in front of the castle, it winds past carved wildlife sculptures, up steps beside a rock wall, through Caroline's Garden, and under the Go Ape tree course. A long boardwalk carries the path beside the Coy Burn through wet woodland, before it crosses the burn, skirts the mill pond with its fish ladder and returns past the estate cemetery. The loop is 6.8km with 114 metres of climbing, on waymarked paths that are narrow and rough underfoot in places.
This is a dog friendly estate, and dogs are welcome on the trails. The woods give shade all the way round, and the Coy Burn and mill pond offer water. Grazing livestock are kept on the estate, away from the main visitor areas, and the Trust asks for dogs to be under close control, so keep a lead handy. Watch out for red squirrels and roe deer. There is a car park charge, free for members, plus a cafe and toilets.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 6.8 km (4.2 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 2 hr
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Historic, Park
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Cafe, toilets and adventure play area at the castle; the castle and walled garden are separate paid visits.
- Parking
- Crathes Castle car park, National Trust for Scotland, parking charge; free for NTS members.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Crathes Castle Ley Way Woodland Trail, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in AberdeenshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Crathes Castle Ley Way Woodland Trail dog friendly?
Yes, the National Trust for Scotland welcomes dogs on all the trails at Crathes Castle, and the Ley Way is no exception. The woodland setting provides shade throughout the walk, and the Coy Burn and mill pond give your dog plenty of opportunities to drink and splash along the way.
Can dogs be off lead at Crathes Castle Ley Way Woodland Trail?
Dogs can enjoy the trails here, but the estate has grazing livestock, so the National Trust for Scotland asks that dogs are kept under close control. It's worth keeping a lead handy, particularly if your dog is prone to chasing — roe deer and red squirrels are also known to appear on the route.
What should I know before visiting Crathes Castle Ley Way Woodland Trail with my dog?
The Ley Way is a 6.8km loop with some narrow, rough sections underfoot and steps beside a rock wall, so it's worth wearing sturdy footwear and being prepared for uneven terrain. There's a car park charge (free for NTS members), and a cafe and toilets are available at the castle — handy for refuelling after the walk. Note that the castle itself and the walled garden are separate paid visits.
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