5k Run Aberdeen: Scenic Loop at Kincorth Hill Nature Reserve

Route Overview & Local Insights

This 4.9km circuit at Kincorth Hill Nature Reserve, affectionately known to Aberdeen locals as "The Gramps," offers a rewarding mix of terrain and scenery. While roughly 55% of the route is paved, you’ll navigate a series of hilly sections with a steady 62m of vertical gain that makes this short loop feel like a proper workout. Runners can expect a blend of well-maintained gravel paths and road sections around Redmoss, providing a varied underfoot experience. The ascent pays off quickly with panoramic views looking back across the Granite City toward the North Sea, making it a favorite spot for midday tempo runs or evening hill repeats.

Steeped in local history, Kincorth Hill serves as a vital green lung for the south side of Aberdeen and is recognized as a Local Nature Reserve. The area is a mosaic of lowland heath, gorse, and woodland, which provides a dramatic seasonal backdrop as you transition from the urban fringes of Redmoss Road back into the quiet of the reserve. For centuries, this high ground served as a natural lookout point, and today it remains one of the best places in Aberdeenshire to spot local wildlife, including roe deer and kestrels, right on the doorstep of the city's industrial heart.