Top ten treks that are good for the sole
Path Birnam Hill Summer is truly here and Perthshire residents are being urged to get some fresh air and take in one of the region’s best walking routes.
Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust has unveiled its 10 favourite walks across the region.
A spokesperson for the group said: “Take advantage of the long days across Perthshire by enjoying a good ramble in open countryside, alongside lochs and rivers, up hills and gorges, past waterfalls and down the park with the whole family.
“Take in flowers in bloom, trees in leaf, birdsong, stunning views and more while exploring Perthshire at its most spectacular.”
Here is the top 10:
This climbs to King’s Seat at the hill’s summit. Birnam Hill Path is a strenuous circular route of about four miles and takes about 2.5 hours to explore on foot. It includes forest and open moorland paths, a steep incline to the hill’s summit and some short rocky sections. It is part of the Dunkeld Path Network.
The views and flora of the Cateran Trail are unrivalled throughout the year but are particularly worth seeing during the summer months. The stage between Spittal of Glenshee and Kirkton of Glenisla follows the Shee Water south past the incredibly scenic Dalnaglar and Forter castles into the fertile farmlands of Glen Isla.
Enjoy a tranquil walk up a hollow gorge overhung by lush green trees to where the River Lednock falls into a wide pool of madly swirling water that looks like it’s almost boiling, aptly named the Deil’s Cauldron (the Devil’s Kettle). Follow the path up from the gorge to Dunmore Hill for stunning views of the Ochils, Ben Vorlich, Loch Earn and the massive Loch Lednock dam.
• This stunning path meanders through varied landscapes of birch and pine woodlands, fields of livestock and heather moorland, the latter of which is particularly stunning when out in full bloom in the summer. It is a strenuous route and part of the Kirkmichael Path Network, for which you’d best strap on your boots.
• Make your way to Ossian’s Hall, built in 1757, to admire the roaring Black Linn Falls, where the River Braan tumbles down into swirling pools. Keep eyes out for red squirrels in the lush branches of some of Perthshire Big Tree Country’s finest examples of amazing trees and on the woodland floor.
A circular route that follows the Cateran Trail out of Blairgowrie and climbs the Knockie hill (about 190m), which offers beautiful views over Blairgowrie and the Sidlaw Hills. The path follows the River Ericht upstream.
• Features a range of natural and man-made features and is a fantastic place to visit in the summer with the whole family. Its Victorian bandstand hosts a number of concerts throughout the season. The path network includes some incredible trees, Turret Burn and Mill Lade. If you fancy a bit of a walk beyond the park, Currochs Path ( four miles), part of the Crieff Path Network, will take you to Glenturret distillery and back.
One of the most famous viewpoints in Scotland, offering stunning views across Loch Tummel to Schiehallion. Over 150,000 people visit the site each year. The site is fully accessible to all users. Enjoy a cake and cuppa at the café at its visitor centre before heading off to explore nearby Allean Forest for more incredible views of the tranquil loch below.
• Visiting this stage of the Cateran Trail in the summer comes with an added bonus: Dirnanean Gardens. Only open Park in Crieff during the summer, the garden consists of a Victorian Burn Walk and a designed landscape, including a shrubbery, walled garden, vegetable garden and orchard. This stage of the trail between Kirkmichael and Spittal of Glenshee also includes the trail’s highest point at An Lairig gate and the Upper Lunch Hut at Enochdhu, once visited by Queen Victoria. View The Queen’s
• Lies in the wooded grounds of the Dunkeld House Hotel looping from the historic Dunkeld Cathedral, gently up Bishop’s Hill, past the hotel, and back along the mighty River Tay. You will also get the chance to learn about 18 remarkable species of tree that grow along the route. It is part of Pertshire Big Tree Country.