NO5273 : Hill of Wirren

Hill of Wirren

678m Elevation
311m Prominence
Scotland Country
Find walking friends Explore routes

Good walks are even better shared.

NO5273 : Hill of Wirren

William Starkey Photo source

Explore routes near Hill of Wirren

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Forfar to Lunanhead: East Road and the Ditches Walk

6.9 km ~2h 15m Moderate

View route

Potarch to Shooting Greens: Deeside Way return

7.9 km ~2h 45m Moderate

View route

Loch Kinord: Muir of Dinnet Woodland Circuit

6.4 km ~2h 30m Moderate

View route

Banchory to Milton of Crathes: Deeside Way return

9.5 km ~2h 30m Easy

View route

Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Wirren Hill Circuit

A scenic loop starting from the eastern side, offering views of the surrounding heaths and shrubbery.

8.5 km ~2.5 hours Moderate
Browse more walks on the map

Make a day of it, together

Find someone to share the walk with, or organise a day out along a route you like.

Find walking friends Plan a walk here
Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Marilyn Graham Simm

Elevation

678m

2,224 ft

Prominence

311m

Coordinates

56.8544, -2.7840

NO522739

OS Map

44

Explorer: 389

At the Summit

The summit is marked by a modest cairn and provides ample space for small groups to enjoy a snack or simply relish the views.

Terrain & Geology

Mostly heather-covered hills with some rocky outcrops typical of the upland Scottish landscape.

The Hill of Wirren is primarily composed of metamorphic rocks, notably schists, which provide a unique and rugged landscape. These rocks were formed under high-pressure conditions during the Caledonian orogeny.

Views & Scenery

From the summit, you can see the sprawling landscapes of the Grampians, including nearby peaks such as the Ben Rinnes and the distant Cairngorms.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The name 'Wirren' is thought to derive from the Gaelic word 'Muirne', meaning 'beloved', suggesting a cherished location in ancient times.

Historical Significance

Historically, the area around Hill of Wirren has been a site of clan activity and local folklore, adding a rich narrative layer to your hike.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

There is a small parking area at NO520730, suitable for a few cars, just off the minor road leading to the hill.

Public Transport

The nearest bus service operates through the village of Keith, which is approximately 10 km away, and taxis are available.

Nearby Facilities

While facilities are limited on-site, the town of Keith offers cafes, restaurants, and public toilets.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Care must be taken on rocky sections, especially in wet conditions, as they can become slippery.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Hill of Wirren?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Hill of Wirren through the maps

Are there other walkers around Hill of Wirren?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Hill of Wirren search or of course create your own walk for Hill of Wirren

Can I organise a walk to Hill of Wirren?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Hill of Wirren.

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Hill of Wirren?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Hill of Wirren here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible

Location

View the hill's mapped position and surrounding paths.

Grid reference: NO522739

View on OpenStreetMap

Opens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.

Nearby Hills

Driesh

948m

Lochnagar - Cac Carn Beag

1,156m

Bennachie - Oxen Craig

529m

Ben Avon - Leabaidh an Daimh Bhuidhe

1,172m

 Bass Rock

Bass Rock

112m
See 5 more nearby hills