West Highland Way: Trailblazer Ochils and Campsie Fells

 Southern Highlands

The Ochil Hills

Walking in Scotland - Lonely Planet The Corbetts - SMC


The Ochil Hills

The Ochil Hills

a range of hills in central Scotland
to the north of the Forth valley.

 They form an undulating plateau
 with no prominent peak
 - the highest point is Ben Cleuch 




The Ochil Hills

The Ochil Hills





The Ochil Hills

The Ochil Hills





The Ochil Hills

The Ochil Hills





The Ochil Hills

The Ochil Hills





The Town Hall in Linlithgow

The Ochils

and the Firth of Forth

from Cockleroy Hill

 in
Beecraigs Country Park

above Linlithgow




The Ochil Hills from the Falkirk Wheel

The Ochil Hills from the Falkirk Wheel

at the junction of the
Forth and Clyde Canal

with the
Union Canal



The Ochil Hills above Carron Sea Lock on the Forth and Clyde Canal

The Ochil Hills above Carron Sea Lock

on the Forth and Clyde Canal



The Ochil Hills

The Ochil Hills





Ochill Hills above Stirling from summit of Carleatheran

Ochill Hills above Stirling

from Gargunnock Hills





Ochill Hills from above Kippen Village

Ochill Hills

from above Kippen Village






Dumyat in the Ochil Hills

Dumyat in the Ochil Hills 





Ben Cleuch from Dumyat in the Ochil Hills

Ben Cleuch from
Dumyat

in the Ochil Hills 





The Ochil Hills on approach to Alva

Myreton Hill in The Ochil Hills

 on approach to Alva





Route Map for Ben Cleuch in the Ochil Hills

Route Map for Ben Cleuch




BEN CLEUCH - ROUTE DESCRIPTION:

Location: Ochil Hills
Map: OS Landranger 58 [GR 898975]
Distance: 6.5 miles [11km]
Time: 4 hours
Terrain: tracks and paths

Ben Cleuch, the highest hill in the Ochils, is usually climbed from Tillicoultry but parking here can be awkward, especially at weekends. Better parking can be found at a woodland car park accessed immediately to the east of Alva, where it is signposted from the A91. The circuit from here is also perhaps a finer way to appreciate the hill. Cross the access road to follow a track uphill through lovely woodland, then at the point this track descends to cross a bridge over the Silver Burn, break off right and climb a narrow path steeply through gorse then trees, out into the open. Climb the path up the shoulder of the hill past a stand of Scots pine and continue uphill alongside the grassy line of an old wall. Where the path forks, go left then swing around right on to the top of Wood Hill, at the end of the long, outstretched right arm of Ben Cleuch. Easy walking now leads across a curious trench-like landform, then along the arm and up on to the shoulder of Ben Ever. After a short descent, swing around and climb beside a fence to reach the surprisingly rocky summit of Ben Cleuch (721m), a splendid panoramic viewpoint. Descend gently south-east, then south along Ben Cleuch’s left arm, on to the top of the Law, where the slender south ridge leads steeply down to Tillicoultry. Cross the burn at the bottom and traverse over into the lovely gorge of Mill Glen. The path crosses over the burn a number of times to emerge at the bottom on its left side. Cross over once more, then go over Upper Mill Street into and down its continuation lane to reach Scotland Place. Go right, then left to gain a walkway and follow this westwards as it traverses above the golf course, then through the woods back to the start.




Route Map for Dumyat in the Ochil Hills

Route Map for Dumyat

 in the Ochil Hills 





DUMYAT - ROUTE DESCRIPTION:

Location: Stirlingshire
Map: 0S Landranger 57 and58 or the Harvey Maps Ochil Hills Superwalker
Distance: 5.5miles ( 9km )
Time: 3~4 hours
Terrain: hill climb, with road section

Dumyet, the splendidly craggy little hill at the western end of the Ochils, is full of character and offers excellent views. The hill is often climbed from Blairlogie on the A91, but the ascent from there is a lung-burster and the approach from the Sheriffmuir Road is preferable, which apart from providing good views from the outset, starts from nearly 200m up and offers a more gradual climb. The hill's name sometimes causes confusion
it is pronounced "Dum-eye-at" not “Dum-yet".
This circuit gives a satisfying walk. It does mean there is a mile and a bit of road walking, but it comes at the end and has the eompensation of a lovely view over Cocksburn Reservoir towards Ben Lomond.
As soon as you start to climb towards Dumyat you can see down to the right the distinctive shape of the Wallace Monument. The view steadily expands to include Gargunnock Crags, the Forth and the carse between Stirling University campus is below you.
Dumyat then appears, looking every inch a proper little mountain. ‘The vista of the Forth now stretches beyond Kincardine Bridge. There are several lovely little corners along here where you can take a break.
You can see the summit, but the last section always seem to take longer than it should.
At the top, there are various hits of hill "furniture" including a large brazier, two memorial plaques to the men of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders and a representation of the regiments badge in a rather depressing grey colour. Ignore these and concentrate on the panorama. To the south is the carse, the Forth and Stirling. To the north are massed ranks of hills including Ben Ledi, Ben Vorlich, Stuc a’Chroin and many more. Eastward, the Ochils show as waves of green with Ben Cleuch just above the rest. The hillfoot towns nestle below.
Dumysat is a volcanic plug of igneous rock, as are Abbey Craig (site of the Wallace Monument ) and Castle Rock in Stirling. The steep scarp of the south face of the Ochils looks like a fault line, but in fact it is just a major geological uplift. The nature of the rock means that the ground is fertile, hence the wide range of wild flowers seen in spring and summer.
The second part of the walk, round the back of Dumyat, is a lovely meander, on generally unfrequented paths in beautiful surroundings Menstrie Glen ls below you. Grouse are found on these moors and you may well hear their distinctive rattling call. It is hard to believe that
Stirling is so near. There is a great sense of space here. As the path swings left, you see ahead across the glen the former in-bye land of the long-abandoned hill farm of Jetah.





Map of Alva Burn Circuit in the Ochil Hills

Map of Alva Burn Circuit

 in the Ochil Hills 



Route Description of Alva Burn Circuit


Location: Alva
Map: OS Landranger 58 (GRB849?5)
Distance: 8 miles (13krn)
Time: 4.5 hours
Terrain: paths, pathless hillside and hill tracks



This splendid high level circuit of the Alva Burn takes in the hilltops of Mid Cairn, Bengengie Hill, Blairdenon Hill and Craighorn.
Start from the Alva Glen car park, which is signposted off the main road through Alva. Walk through the gap in the wall at the car park entrance, cross the road to the water treatment facility, then go over a metal stile and follow a "narrow path steeply through gorse and bands of rock on to the hillside. Continue to where the path levels out Where it meets a fence, then break off left and climb steeply past a boulder on to the obvious grassy gully which can be seen high above.
At the top, take in the viewpoint of Wee Torry on the left, then continue up on to the rounded ridge to follow a narrow hill path over Mid Cairn ( 542111; 1778ft ) and on to Bengengie Hill ( 565m; 1853ft ). Drop off the back on to a grassy hill track that cuts across Menstrie Moss and swings up right onto Blairdenon Hill to meet another hill track which leads left to the summit ( 631111; 2070ft ).
Retrace your steps and continue east across the high ground, staying on the grassy track which swings around the head of the glen. Stick with the track as it cuts right beneath peat hags then left back on to the high ground before reaching a gate in a fence. Cross the fence by a stile and continue to the top of Craighorn ( 583111; 1912ft ).
Descend the hill’s southern spur via a path then a grassy track to gain the main track below at the point it bends across the Glenwinnel Burn. Cross the burn, then go up the track for 100m or so before breaking off right to descend a steep grassy ridge to gain the floor below. Take great care here, for the slopes closer to the burn drop sharply over rocks either side of a splendid waterfall.
Going upstream, cross firstly the burn issuing from the fall, then the main Alva Burn, then climb up the other side to a narrow path and follow this to where it splits at the Smugglers Cave viewpoint. Take the downhill path which leads pleasantly through Alva Glen back to the car park.





Map of Corb Glen Circuit in the Ochil Hills

Map of Corb Glen Circuit

 in the Ochil Hills 



CORB GLEN CIRCUIT - ROUTE DESCRIPTION:

Lothian: The Ochil Hills
Map: OS Landranger 58 ( GR 017082 )
Distance: Six miles ( l9km )
Time: Three hours
Terrain: Tracks and hillside

This is a scenic walk over a number of minor hilltops in the lesser known eastern part of the Ochil Hills.
Start from the Forestry Commission car park at Tonguey Faulds, incorrectly signed as Littlerig, which is in fact a
kilometre or so further south and is met first on the B934 from Yetts O’ Muckhart and the entrance to Glen Devon.
Walk north up the road for 50m, then go through a gate on the other side and follow a track through a forestry plantation out
into the open. Continue beneath another plantation and when the deep defile of Corb Glen comes into view and the track starts to
descend. break off left to climb up the right side of the plantation to the top of Lamb Hill ( 422m ).
Swing around and drop down north-west into the dip then ascend a grassy track to the top of John's Hill ( 483m ) a splendid
viewpoint, especially north-west to the Highlands.
Descend south-west to a col then climb steeply to the top of Sim's Hill following a grassy track to the right of a fence, then
continue on to Green Law ( 481m ) with the 18 turbines of the Green Knowes wind farm ahead and the main mass of the Ochils beyond.
Now descend north, aiming for the right side of Craig Mead, a small outcrop of rock just above the track in the glen. On reaching
this, climb the slope on to Little Law then swing around north-east to pick up a grassy track which leads to the summit of Corb Law ( 475m ).
Cross the fence and descend southwards to a small plantation, then down its right side on to a track. Traverse this track
rightwards across the hillside to join the main track through Corb Glen and follow this back to the start. The final hill can be omitted and a shorter retum
made along the track through Corb Glen itself.




Location Map for Stirling and the Ochil Hills

Location Map for Stirling

 and the Ochil Hills
 


 Ochil Hills Gallery Photo Gallery

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  Ochils and Campsie Fells  Loch Lomond & Trossachs - 25 Walks  Loch Lomond & Trossachs NP - Vol 1 - West  Loch Lomond & Trossachs NP - Vol 2 - East  Scottish Hill Tracks  Central & Southern Scotland - Backpackers Britain  Walking Loch Lomond and the Trossachs The Corbetts - SMC 
 

Glasgow Visitor Guide - Colin Baxter Itchy Insider's Guide to Glasgow Glasgow Footprint Pocket Guide Glasgow Insight Pocket Guide Glasgow Guide Pub Companion Glasgow Scotland's Highlands & Islands - Rough Guide Scotland - Rough Guide Walking in Scotland - Lonely Planet 

Glasgow Insight Pocket GuideCollins Street Map of GlasgowGlasgow: Then & NowThey belonged to Glasgow Phillips Street Atlas of Glasgow & West Central Scotland Glasgow: The Photographic Atlas100 Hillwalks around Glasgow 50 Walks in Glasgow & SW Scotland

Visit Scotland - Touring Guide Scotland: Where to Stay - Hotels & Guest Houses Scotland: Where to Stay - Bed & Breakfast Rough Guide ScotlandScottish Highlands & Islands - Rough Guide Scotland - Lonely PlanetScotland's Highlands & Islands - Lonley Planet Great Glasgow StoriesGlasgow & Surroundings - Insight Guide

West Highland Way: Official GuideWest Highland Way: Rucksac ReadersWest Highland Way: TrailblazerThe West Highland WayWest Highland Way: Footprint MapWest Highland Way - Map West Highland Way - Map West Highland Way Wet Highland Way - Official Guide

Munro Almanac The High Mountains of Britain and Ireland The Munros: Scottish Mountaineering Club The Isle of Skye The Isle of Arran Wilderness Walks Ski Mountaineering in Scotland

More Wilderness Walks 50 Best Routes on Skye and Raasay Skye - W.A.PoucherMagic of the Munros Mountaineering in Scotland and Undiscovered Scotland by W.H.MurrayA Long Walk on the Isle of Skye

Classic Climbs - Central & Southern Highlands The Isle of Arran Lonely Planet, Walking in ScotlandPathfinder Guide: Skye and NW Highlands WalksPathfinder Guide: Fort William and Glen Coe Walks Rambler's Guide: Ben Nevis and Glen Coe50 Best Routes on Skye and Raasay - Chris Townsend









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