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 | The Hatton Hoop |  |
At 25 miles this is short but tough. This route follows the north bank of the Dee to Hatton of Fintray where it joins the hilly road race circuit used as part of the Hatton Festival of Cycling - more. On returning to Hatton our hoop then tackles Bendauch Hill, used locally as a hill climb course, before dropping back to the start in Dyce.
The route also offers some fine points of historic interest.
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| Route Details | |
The start and finish point is Dyce Train Station. Check out our page on taking bikes on trains if you are considering using the train. The station also has a fair sized free car park if you decide to drive.
Leave the station and head into the town, turning left at the main road. Continue through the traffic lights and straight on at the roundabout following the road under the F&B way to turn left on to the B977, sign posted Hatton of Fintray.
Continue on this road for 4½ mile all the while climbing until you begin a descent with a 90 degree left hander and an option to go straight ahead, sign posted Inverurie. With care, take the unclassified road straight ahead.
Pass straight through Kinmuck to the junction with the B993 where you take a left.
After a mile there is a steep descent, and you turn off to the left at the bottom - watch out for loose gravel. See Alternate Finish Point.
Take the first left (Point of Interest #1) to start climbing again and continue through Balbithan Woods to meet the B977 once again. Turn left taking you into Hatton of Fintray. At the Tee junction in Hatton, turn right, cross the River Dee and continue to cross the railway. Immediately after crossing the railway turn left. Get ready to climb!
Keep on this road, climbing all the time to reach Slacks car park. Now enjoy the descent - you deserve it. On the way down you pass an entrance to Kirkhill, home to some good offroad trails and a fun park. Continue until you reach the airport periphery road (Point of Interest #2) where you take a left at the Tee junction.
Continue through the edge of the industrial estate to the traffic lights in Dyce. Take a right, and then another right to take you back to the station.
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| Alternate Finish | | |
Instead of turning left to leave the B993, continue into Inverurie. From here you can either head for the train station for a quick return home or, if you are really out to prove something, take in the Garioch Loop.
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| Points Of Interest | |
#1. Instead of turning left, continue straight for ¼ mile to visit Kinkell Church. A ruined 16th century church and sacrement house cared for by Historic Scotland - free entry. Also contains the grave slab of Gilbert de Greenlaw, killed at the Battle of Harlaw in 1411.
#2. A ¼ mile before the airport periphery road take a left, signposted Dyce Symbol Stones. Six engraved stones are housed in the ruined St Fergus' Church. One of them has a Celtic cross ornamented with a central boss of spiral work. Worth the detour.
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| Facilities & Services | |
Services are limited on the route; with no shops or cafes to be found. There are a couple of pubs, though you may have to time it right to get food. It is recommended that you take your own food and drink.
Dyce does offer a selection of shops, and pubs though sadly doesn't have any cycle repair facilities.
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