The Bennachie Range is nearby and visible from the centre. There are many low and higher level walks as well as a ranger station, toilets and carparks
Bennachie Visitor Centre - Forestry and Land Scotland
Pitfichie and Cairn William are also nearby and visible from the centre. Both have good walking routes and forest tracks
Pitfichie - Forestry and Land Scotland
There are some lovely low level walks direct from the centre through the Monymusk Estate (respectful walkers and dogs on leads welcome).
Turn left onto the road for a short distance before going right down the track, across the river, along the drive in front of Monymusk House and then either up the drive to the village or along the riverside to return a short distance from the centre.
Paradise wood and Clyan’s Dam are other popular local walks. For more detail and routes see Monymusk Estate . Clyan’s Dam is somewhere that dogs are allowed off lead.
The roads around the centre are generally quiet enough for careful cyclists but there are also fantastic off road routes very nearby at Pitfichie and Bennachie (see links above). Pitfichie has one of the country’s top downhill mountain bike track complexes which is easily accessible by bike from the centre. If you would like to borrow bikes from us please ask. We will try to help for a small charge.
Please do not cycle on the unsurfaced tracks around the Estate. (eg along the river side or round the Dam)
Tarland Trails is a new and exciting cycling complex in Tarland, 20 miles away. There are trails for all standards and ages of cyclists Tarland Trails - Visit Tarland
Live Life Outdoors (part of Aberdeenshire Council) have an indoor climbing wall at Alford Community Campus and a bouldering wall at Inverurie Community Campus. Both around 10 miles away. Both walls are open to the public but do have pre requisites for an induction. Please either contact the centres direct to arrange this or for group enquiries please speak to us as we may be able to arrange special access.
Climb - Live, Life Aberdeenshire (livelifeaberdeenshire.org.uk)
We also have a climbing wall tower with Auto-belays on site at the centre which can be hired along with trained staff.
Live Life Outdoors operate two ski centres in Aberdeenshire. There is an alpine slope with nursery slope at Alford, 10 miles away and Scotland’s only Nordic Ski Centre at Huntly, 25 miles away. Both also do tubing and have ski hire and instruction available. You can find more details here and speak to us about booking a session Snow Sports - Live, Life Aberdeenshire (livelifeaberdeenshire.org.uk)
Live Life Aberdeenshire operate several swimming pools with the nearest being Inverurie Community Campus (9 miles), Alford Community Campus (10 miles) and Westhill (12 miles). For details of public sessions please go to Sports and Physical Activity Timetable - Live, Life Aberdeenshire (livelifeaberdeenshire.org.uk).
For group enquiries please speak to us as we may be able to arrange special access.
Monymusk village has a fantastic children’s playpark including a zip slide and a boules rink! It’s easy to walk there from the centre through the Monymusk Estate or there is a carpark. If you plan a longer visit to the park you can ask us about access to the adjacent village hall with its toilets and kitchen facilities.
Skyline Trampoline park is 8 miles away in Inverurie and is a wonderful facility with a great café. Trampoline Park Inverurie, Aberdeen | Family Day Out Aberdeen (skylinetrampoline.co.uk)
Monymusk is in the heart of castle country with many National Trust Properties close by. Aberdeen City & Shire | National Trust for Scotland (nts.org.uk)
Monymusk House and Pitfiche Castle (in sight of the centre) are both private dwellings.
Details of other providers of outdoor activities in the area can be found here