Best family-friendly walks near Dundee

Scotland may be well known for its challenging walking routes, but if you’re planning a getaway with the whole family, you may be looking for more family-friendly walks.

Located just north of Dundee, Scotland’s fourth largest city, our Country Resort is the perfect base for active families looking to lace up their boots and explore. To help ensure you make the most of your time, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite walks near Dundee, perfect for all the family.

A group of runners jogs along a riverside path at sunset, with the warm golden light reflecting off the water and a distant bridge extending across the calm river.

Dundee Waterfront Path

If you’re looking for some family-friendly walks near Dundee with spectacular views across the Firth of Tay, the Dundee waterfront path won’t disappoint. The paved path is pram and bike-friendly and stretches over 16 miles and can be enjoyed whatever the weather.

You can take in as much or as little of the path as you like, so is ideal if you want to combine sometime in the fresh air with exploring the city. We suggest visiting the V&A Dundee whilst your in the area for a peek at the best that Scottish designers have to display.

We recommend beginning at Riverside Park where there is a car park, or Riverside Place bus stop is just an eight-minute walk away. If you're feeling peckish at the end of your walk, head to Heather Street Food, where you can reward yourselves with mouthwatering freshly made donuts.

A serene lake reflecting the colorful hues of a sunset, with a grassy bank in the foreground and a dense line of trees silhouetted against the dramatic sky in the background.

Monikie Country Park

Located less than 10 minutes from Forbes of Kingennie, Monikie Country Park offers a wealth of trails to explore, making it one of our favourite walks near Dundee. The dog-friendly site offers a wealth of woodland and parkland self-led trails that all members of the family can enjoy.

The country park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, from red squirrels to woodpeckers, and has wildlife hides dotted throughout the park. The paths are mainly grassy, with some woodland paths where footing may be a little more uneven.

With a toilet with baby change facilities, a café and an information centre on-site, everything you need is at hand. There is a good-sized car park if you’re planning to drive, or buses serve the south and north gates of the park.

A tranquil coastal landscape at sunrise, with the sun rising over calm waters, reflecting soft pastel colors in the sky, and a foreground of tall grasses covering sandy dunes.

Monifieth Beach

If beach walks are more your family’s thing, we suggest heading south to Monifieth Beach. The western end of this long sandy beach is a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to the large populations of water birds and wildfowl that call this beach home.

Children will love exploring the rockpools or searching for the perfect shell amongst the many washed up on the beach. They can also explore the small play area located near the car park on Marine Drive, where there are picnic beaches if you want to pack up lunch. There are also toilets on site, which is always handy with little ones in tow. More facilities can be found in the centre of Monifieth, including a railway station, which offers regular services to Dundee.

A person and two dogs walk on a grassy trail surrounded by yellow bushes, with a distant view of a valley, wind turbines, and an industrial town under a blanket of clouds.

Carrot Hill

Although your children may not be up for bagging Munros, you can get them practising with this small summit in the Sidlaw Hills. Standing at 259m or 850 ft, it offers sensational 360º panoramic views across the glorious county of Angus, making it one of the best family-friendly walks near Dundee to pack up an evening picnic and enjoy watching the sunset together.

From the car park, the summit can be reached fairly quickly, so if you’ve got older children, you might want to carry on this walk towards Carrion Dodd Hill and the abandoned quarry. The paths are uneven and can get muddy in wet conditions, so sturdy boots are recommended.

Camperdown Country Park

Located just three miles from Dundee city centre, Camperdown Country Park is the largest park in Dundee. It covers over 400 acres and is home to more than 190 species of trees, plus an incredible playpark. The mix of parkland and woodland paths can get muddy in wet conditions, so the walks are best for older children or babies in a carrier rather than a pram.

We love the six-mile route that takes you through Camperdown Park, neighbouring Clatto Country Park and Templeton Woods. It takes around two hours to complete unless you’re constantly stopping to build dens in the woods, spot wildlife, or just enjoy the scenery.

There is parking available on-site or regular buses run from Dundee to the entrance.

Relax and refuel after your family adventure

Perched by the coast in the beautiful county of Angus, our country resort is the perfect base for the whole family to explore some of the best walks near Dundee. After a day of exploring, you’ll want somewhere comfortable to relax and some hearty food. Our luxury self-catering huts and lodges are equipped with all creature comforts to ensure you can put your feet up after a day exploring in the fresh air. Head to The Scullery to to enjoy a wholesome dining experience - menus are brimming with the finest local produce - overlooking the water. The perfect end to a day of adventures.