Ben Rinnes
one of the best viewpoints in Moray, and far easier than it looks
Ben Rinnes hill path car park, Moray, AB55 4DA
Visit WebsiteBen Rinnes looks rather imposing from the bottom, but it turns out to be one of those hills that is much easier to climb than you would expect. The gradient is steady almost the whole way up, with just one final steeper section to battle through, and there is not a stile or a technical step to negotiate anywhere on the route. It is still a half day out, but the views waiting at the top make every aching muscle worth it.
- Multiple Dogs Allowed
- Parking
- Rural Walks
Good to know
Overview
The path up Ben Rinnes is well worn and easy to follow, climbing steadily across the hillside before the one steeper pull near the top. By the time you reach it victory feels so close that it more or less powers you up the last of it. Reckon on around 4.75 miles and three to four hours at a leisurely pace, with about 541 metres of ascent.
The views are what you came for. They spread for miles in every direction, and on a clear day you can see all the way to the Moray coast in one direction and into the heart of the Cairngorms in the other. It is the sort of summit that has you wondering why you had not done this sooner.
The best time to visit is August, when the heather comes into full bloom and puts on a marvellous display to set off the panorama perfectly.
For The Dogs
There are no technical difficulties on this hill and, just as importantly, no stiles or other obstacles, so dogs get to zoom around with nothing interrupting them. Please do keep them under close control – this is open hill and working land.
Bring treats, leads, poo bags and a tick hook. There is no water on the route, so carry enough for your dog as well as yourself, particularly on a warm August day when the heather is out and there is no shade anywhere on the hill.
With nothing technical to negotiate this is also a great option for introducing children to hill walking, so it works well for a whole family with the dogs along.
Opening Hours
Daylight hours are recommended.
Parking
There is limited free parking at the bottom of the hill path, on a minor road running north from the B9009. The nearest postcode is AB55 4DA.
Space is tight – room for around twenty cars – and Ben Rinnes is a popular hill, so it is worth arriving early at weekends and through the school holidays.
The Area
Best known for its whisky distilleries, of which there are more than fifty, Moray (pronounced ‘Murr-ee’) is truly one of Scotland’s hidden gems. Beyond the beautiful countryside there are miles of coastline, where you can sample some of Scotland’s most iconic dishes fresh from the catch in the town they came from. Cullen Skink, anyone?
To see Ben Rinnes from a different angle, climb Carn Daimh, a small hill in the north of the Cairngorms National Park. This quiet corner of the Glenlivet Estate is far quieter than other parts of the Cairngorms: you are more likely to see a grouse than another walker.
For more walks, pubs and places to stay, see our guide to dog friendly Scotland.
