Den of Glenesk

The Den of Glenesk is a proper woodland walk tucked into the hills near Turriff, and it's one of those places that rewards you for making the effort to get there. You're looking at a river valley threaded through thick forest - the kind of landscape that feels properly remote even though you're not actually very far from civilisation. The walk itself winds along the burn with decent paths, though they can get boggy after rain, and the trees tower up on either side creating that closed-in feeling you either love or find claustrophobic.

It's ideal for walkers who like something a bit more rugged than a stroll round a country park. Families with older kids will manage it fine; younger ones might find the muddy bits a slog. The main appeal is the sheer greenness of it all and the sound of water - there's no dramatic waterfall or viewpoint at the end, so don't expect Instagram moments. What you get instead is proper Highland woodland atmosphere without needing to venture into the mountains.

Allow an hour to ninety minutes for a decent explore, depending on how far you want to push along the valley. It's free to access and open whenever you fancy - there's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of. If you're staying at Turriff Caravan Park, it's barely over a mile away, making it a handy half-day outing. Worth combining with a walk elsewhere in the area, but genuinely good if you just want to get under the trees and breathe in some damp forest air.