The view over Dundee from The Law |
- Description of Dundee
- Walking possibilities
- A vision for access for walkers in Dundee
- More walks within easy reach of Dundee
- Walking publications and maps
- Useful links for Dundee
- Travel information
- List of walking stories in Dundee at foot of the page
The City of Dundee might not be the first place that springs to mind for a hiking holiday, but think again! There are walks around the city itself, routes up nearby hills, and longer hikes in the Highlands within an hour's drive.
 RRS Discovery
The Howff
McManus Galleries
Dundee High Street
Cherry Blossom in Dawson Park
Broughty Ferry fishermen's cottages
At the top of Auchterhouse Hill, with its ancient hillfort overlooking Dundee
Claypotts Castle |
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Dundee is blessed with a wonderful situation on the East coast of Scotland, overlooking the Firth of Tay to the south. It lies about 100 km (62 miles) north of Edinburgh. The city centre has been improved enormously over the past 20 years, through partnership between the public and private sectors led by Scottish Enterprise Tayside and Dundee City Council.
It is increasingly recognised as an example to other cities of a partnership approach to regeneration. With a population of around 150,000, it has all the facilities of a modern city, combined with easy access to the surrounding countryside in Angus, Perthshire and Fife.
Once known as the city of jute, jam and journalism, Dundee has moved on. It is now known as the "City of Discovery" in recognition of the presence of the RRS Discovery, built and launched here in 1901, which Captain Scott used on his expeditions to the Antarctic. Discovery Point is now Dundee's premier visitor attraction. This title also points to Dundee's modern role as a centre for scientific discovery especially in the fields of biomedicine, environmental sciences and digital media. It has two expanding universities close to the city centre, bringing a large student population to the city.
It's also an attractive place to live - a place to be proud of - and we hope that these pages will help raise its profile and attract more visitors.
Galleries of larger images are being added to accompany the stories - the first gallery covers the City Centre walk.
The walk around central Dundee takes in these and other distinctive features of the city, linking heritage attractions, modern architectural landmarks, and cultural, retail and leisure facilities. Other walks lead up to hilltop viewpoints and through parks. They are listed with links at the foot of this page.
There's even a 26-mile Dundee Green Circular route for walkers and cyclists, taking in several parks including Camperdown and sections along the banks of the Dighty.
Walking routes can be enjoyed on the edge of the city, in Camperdown and Templeton Country Parks, along the coast at Broughty Ferry and Monifieth, and further inland extending into Angus (see list of additional walks in the area, below).
A Vision for Access in DundeeDundee City Council has set out a Vision for Outdoor Access in the city:
"A city that works for all its people as they move easily through its
built and green spaces to go about their everyday lives - for work or
play. Safe, healthy and friendly - a good place to be."
This recognises the benefits for health and the environment that can result from an increase in walking, cycling and horse ridging. The Dundee City Council website has an outdoor access section detailing its strategy and activities.
The coast and countryside of Fife, and the town of St Andrews, are just a short distance to the south, Perth is 32 km (20 miles) west, and the Highlands of Angus and Perthshire lie within easy reach to the north and west, around an hour's drive away. This makes Dundee an excellent base for walking and sightseeing across eastern Scotland.Other completed Walking Stories for places close to Dundee:
- 2 Glen Clova hill walks (1 hour's drive)
- Arbroath to Auchmithie Coastal Walk (30 mins drive)
- Monikie and Crombie Country Parks, Angus (30 mins drive)
- Backmuir Wood, Muirhead, Angus (15 mins drive)
- Auchterhouse Hill, Angus (20 mins drive)
- Perth Jugglers' Walk (30 mins drive)
- Kinnoull Hill, Perth (30 mins drive)
- East Lomond Hill, Fife (30 mins drive)
- Kingsbarns beach, Fife (45 mins drive)
For other walks within an hour's drive, go to the pages for Angus, Perthshire and Fife.
A range of walking books covering Dundee, Angus and Perthshire is available at bookshops in the city (Ottakars and Waterstons, Commercial Street) and at the tourist information centre in Castle Street.
These include James Carron's "Dundee Walks", 20 country walks within 20 minutes drive of the city, published in 2004.
These stores also have detailed Ordnance Survey maps showing the main footpaths. Town maps for Dundee are available at these and other locations.
Dundee City Council's website now includes a set of healthy walks in different parts of the city with detailed directions on streetmaps, which can be downloaded as pdf files and printed.
dundee4bairns.co.uk - this new website has an outdoor section describing countryside and town walks for families with young children.
Useful links for DundeeDundee City Council with information on leisure facilities, events etc
Discovery Point and Verdant Works heritage attractions
Dundee Contemporary Arts (including cinema)
Travel Dundee local bus services
Hilton Hotel, central for city walks
Visit Scotland Dundee page
The city is easily reached by rail (on the east coast main line), road and bus services. Dundee Airport has daily services to and from London City Airport with ScotAirways..
Scotairways flights to and from London
FirstScotRail train timetables (see Express East and Express West services)
Contributed by: Andrew Llanwarne - 2005
Stories
(To order the stories by name, date, country or type click on the appropriate heading)
