Strathdon is a village, but it is also an informal geographical area which takes in the village of Bellabeg. For many years the area was called Inverlochty due to its location at the confluence of the River Don and the Water of Lochty. There is a war memorial in the village, which hosts a traditional Highland Gathering. Donside has a lower profile than neighbouring Deeside, but for cycling that shouldn’t influence you. Strathdon is on the edge of a productive agricultural area, which results in lots of rural roads and small villages. However, at the same time the other direction shows a very different face of Aberdeenshire with some high hills and beautiful, but exposed moorland on the doorstep. 
You will find parking alongside the war memorial at Bellabeg. It’s also next to the much photographed ‘Lost’ signpost.
