Discover Autumn Walks around Dundee

There’s plenty of fresh Scottish air and leaves of every colour to be enjoyed on autumn walks around Dundee. Make sure you discover these great walks in and around the City of Discovery.

Explore some beautiful autumnal walks around Dundee and make the most of the waning daylight as the trees change into their colourful autumn costume and the dark nights roll in. Enjoy a whole host of great autumn walks around Dundee and Angus and enjoy nature in all its glory. From riverside strolls, to some of the best urban and country parks in Scotland, with a few hills to climb along the way, autumn walks can be a highlight of the year.

What better way to start a fresh, crisp autumn morning than with a meander through Dundee University’s Botanic Garden. Trees from all over the world on their south facing 9 hectare site will guarantee you find a huge variety of trees to showcase the variety of intense colours we get in Dundee as we head through the autumn season. Their coffee shop is open 7 days a week from 9am till 5pm if the splendour of the autumn colours get too much and you’re in need a cuppa.

The riverside waterfront along the River Tay is proving an extremely popular walk for those wanting to stretch their legs close to the city centre. The recent additions of the Urban Beach, Dundee Cycle Hub and Tay Whale installation as well as Slessor Gardens make for an action packed beginning or end to your daily jaunt. You may even be tempted to pop in by the RRS Discovery or V&A Dundee for a visit. You can also check out the new VisitScotland Information Centre that’s recently taken up residence inside V&A Dundee.

If you’re travelling into town then why not park along Riverside Drive and make your way into the city towards V&A Dundee or out towards the nature reserve. You can even watch the planes come come in to land and takeoff as you pass by the airport.

Dundee has an abundance of fabulous parks throughout the city. Balgay Park is a great choice with a fantastic mix of woodland and views across the Tay. But the best view you’ll get is the one you’ll get from one of the telescopes in the Mills Observatory. Situated atop Balgay Hill the Observatory is operating during winter opening hours: Monday to Friday – 4pm – 10pm; Saturday + Sunday – 12:30pm – 4pm.

Throughout November you might even be able to see all the way to Saturn or Jupiter (weather dependent).

If it’s a proper woodland walk where you, the dog and the kids get to charge your way through mini mountains of fallen leaves then you’ll want to pay a visit to Camperdown Park. There are over 190 species of trees, who will mostly be dropping those leaves like they’re hot (or most likely cold). Camperdown can put on a good show and that rich tapestry of vibrant colours are guaranteed throughout October and November.

Not far from Camperdown Park lies Templeton Woods and the Woodland Trust’s Backmuir Woods. Both are amazing places to get in amongst the natural world and spot Red Squirrels. It’s always worth stopping by the Birkhill Inn on the way home to enjoy the best steak pie in Dundee!

On the subject of wildlife; keep your ears and eyes open for the annual migration of pink footed geese that will fly overhead as they make their way south from Montrose Basin. You’ll hear them before you see them.

You can hit new heights with a climb up Balkello Hill and be rewarded with a kaleidescope of rich autumn colours in every directions; south towards the city. east and north into Angus and west towards Perthshire. From Balkello you can follow the trails across to the other Sidlaw hills of Auchterhouse and Craigowl.

Get back amongst the woods in Crombie and Monikie Country parks. Both are just a short drive from Dundee and there are some wonderful trails to found her, plus they have public toilets on site. The country parks are not far from Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort, which is also has walks around their fishing ponds

Just north of the city, only 20 minutes by car you’ll find Glamis Castle, one of Scotland’s most historic visitor attractions. This autumn they are inviting visitors to “step into a fairy tale” as they launch a brand-new light show in the Castle’s gardens. A Trail of Tales at Glamis Castle will see the sprawling gardens illuminated in shimmering light installations which visitors will explore while discovering classic childhood stories on the way. 

A family friendly event, the inaugural show will run from October 29^th-November 7^th from 4pm-8.15pm each night offering visitors another opportunity to experience the castle’s spectacular grounds and gardens, but this time under moonlight. 

We can’t forget about our fantastic coastal scenery, but with so many beaches to choose from we’ll save that for another blog.

The city is fantastically located to explore all the great Autumn walks around Dundee. Why not book a stay at one of the local accommodations and spend time exploring all the area has to offer.