Forvie National Nature Reserve, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Hackley Bay

Beach

Place photograph

7.6

Wildland

Half day

Time

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Cost

Wild

Feel

CoastalDunesWetlandRemote countrysideWalkersPhotographersWildlife loversCouples

Why it's Wildland

7.6

A sandy cove beneath Hackley Head is the striking midpoint of a varied coastal landscape of heath, cliffs and dunes.

Hackley Bay earns its place for the walk as much as the beach: a secluded-feeling sandy cove sits within a changing coastal reserve, with cliffs, heath and broad sea views along the way.

Wild · Secluded · Dramatic · Peaceful

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Forvie National Nature Reserve, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

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The experience

Make Hackley Bay the centrepiece of a coastal walk through Forvie National Nature Reserve. Choose a documented route from the reserve or Collieston, allow time for the uneven coastal terrain, and pause to notice the changing heath, cliffs and seasonal flowers. Check access and conditions before setting out.

Things to do

Walk the Forvie–Hackley Bay coastal circuit

Follow a varied route through coastal heath and cliffs to the sandy cove, with views towards Collieston on the circuit described by AllTrails.

1.5–2 hours for the 4.3-mile AllTrails route; an alternative account gives 2.75 hours for a longer route.

Look for seasonal cliff flowers

The supplied route account notes primroses, cowslips and butterwort in spring, followed by thrift, sea campion, kidney vetch and northern marsh-orchid in summer.

Take in the view above Collieston

The longer route account describes views from the headland above the lower village towards Collieston harbour and its small beach.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · Allow around 1.5–2 hours for the 4.3-mile circular route described by AllTrails; check the route and conditions before setting out.

Quick Escape: walk to the cove

01
Choose a verified current starting point at Forvie or Collieston and check parking and access.
02
Follow the coastal route through heath and cliffs to Hackley Bay.
03
Pause at the bay, then continue the loop or return by your chosen route.

Half day · Around 2.75 hours walking for the longer route described by The Mack Walks, plus time for stops; check current route details.

Make a half day of it: Forvie, Hackley Bay and Collieston

01
Start at Forvie Visitor Centre, as described by the route account, after checking current parking and access.
02
Walk across Forvie Moor and along the cliffs to Hackley Bay; allow time to notice seasonal flowers and coastal views.
03
Continue towards Collieston for views above the village, harbour and beach.
04
Arrange refreshments in Newburgh only after checking current opening and availability.

Verified history

The supplied route account says Forvie Moor was used for grenade and mortar training during the Second World War, with access restricted during training. It also describes Collieston as an established fishing village by the 16th century, with herring, haddock, whiting and cod fishing flourishing in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Hidden details

A changing calendar of coastal flowers — The route account notes different cliff and heath flowers by season, including spring primroses and cowslips, summer thrift and sea campion, and autumn heather and crowberry.

When to go

April · May · June · July · August · September · Choose a clear, relatively calm period for the coastal walk and views; no specific time of day is established by the supplied sources.

The supplied route account describes spring and summer cliff flowers, autumn heather and crowberry, and wintering waders on the reserve’s lochs. Conditions are seasonal and weather-dependent.

Coastal weather can change; check the forecast and route conditions before leaving. The supplied sources describe some paths as muddy after wet weather and include steps on the route.

The route

ascent: 344 ft elevation gain (AllTrails); 145 m gain in The Mack Walks account.
stiles: Check before setting out.
surface: Mostly good paths according to The Mack Walks; some sections may be muddy after wet weather. Natural coastal terrain.
distance: 4.3 miles (AllTrails circular route); another supplied account describes 7.55 km / 4.72 miles.
duration: 1.5–2 hours (AllTrails); 2.75 hours for the longer route described by The Mack Walks.
difficulty: Moderate (AllTrails); medium in The Mack Walks account.
waymarking: Check before setting out.
route shape: Loop / circular, depending on chosen route.
start point: AllTrails describes a loop in Forvie National Nature Reserve. The Mack Walks gives Forvie Visitor Centre as the start; confirm current route and access.
parking start: The Mack Walks account describes a car park at Forvie Visitor Centre. Check current parking and access arrangements.

Coastal heath and Forvie Moor
Cliffs and Hackley Bay beneath Hackley Head
Headland views towards Collieston harbour and beach
Seasonal flowers described along the route

Worth pairing with

Collieston

Extend the walk to the nearby former fishing village, where the supplied route descriptions mention the harbour, a small beach and headland views.

Newburgh refreshments

A supplied walking account names refreshment options in Newburgh. Verify businesses and opening arrangements before making plans.

What to look for

Look for seasonal flowers on the sea cliffs and changes in vegetation between the coastal heath, dunes and sandy cove. The supplied route account also describes views towards Collieston harbour from the headland.

The story

Forvie Moor was used for military training during the Second World War; the nearby village of Collieston has a documented fishing history.

Best time to go

Spring to autumn for varied coastal flowers and comfortable walking; winter offers a stark coastal walk and overwintering waders on the reserve’s lochs.

Spring brings primroses, cowslips and butterwort on the cliffs; summer adds flowering thrift, sea campion, kidney vetch and northern marsh-orchid. Go in calm, clear weather for the best coastal views, and check the forecast before walking.

How long to spend

Half day

Perfect for

Walkers · Photographers · Wildlife lovers · Couples

Practical information

Opening & access

Reached on foot via paths through Forvie National Nature Reserve. The supplied route sources describe walks to the bay from the reserve and Collieston; check current access and the best starting point before setting out.

Check before visiting

Parking

A supplied route account describes a car park at Forvie Visitor Centre. Check current parking arrangements and the appropriate start point before travelling.

Check before visiting

Toilets

Check before visiting

Food & drink

No café at the bay is verified by the supplied research. A supplied walking account mentions refreshment options in Newburgh; check current details before travelling.

Check before visiting

Dogs

Check current reserve guidance and signage before visiting.

Check before visiting

Accessibility

The bay is reached by walking on natural coastal paths. A supplied route account describes steps and says the route is not suitable for off-road mobility scooters; conditions and access may vary.

Cost

Check before visiting

Water

Sea