Take A Hike

Nick Drainey goes urban for a fascinating hill-to-hill hike across the city

WALKING through a city can be an arduous task,the necessity of getting from A to B to “getsomething done” being a chore rather than relaxing. However, as with many things, if it’s a choice rather than an obligation, an urban landscape can become an enjoyable exploration of history as well as fine views.

Dundee is built on hills – as well as jute, jam and journalism – and two of them are taken in on this walk. The highest, Dundee Law, has been a lookout for at least 3500 years and a great spot for panoramic views.

At the start, the walk takes in Balgay Cemetery. This is the last resting place of many of the city’s great and good below gothic-style headstones, redwoods and cedars.

At the eastern end is the ornate Balgay Bridge which crosses Windy Glack, a haunt of smugglers before a more respectable use took over the area.