Walk of the week: Falls of Dochart amd Auchmore, Killin

This perfect summer family walk starts at the Falls of Dochart, a spectacular sight as the river of the same name makes its last hurrah before spilling into Loch Tay.

Falls of Dochart and Auchmore. Picture: Nick Drainey

For part of the way the route follows the Auchmore Circuit shown on National Park leaflets, but only signed in places and therefore difficult to follow. This walk leaves the circuit on the way back in order to increase the amount of off-road walking.

Combined with a visit to the Falls of Dochart and a clamber over the rocks next to them followed by a visit to the charming pub next door, it is a great way to spend a few hours.

Distance: 3 miles.

Height climbed: 250ft.

Time: 1½ to 2 hours.

Map: OS Landranger 51.

Park: There is roadside parking as you enter Killin from the west, on the A827, before the bridge at the Falls of Dochart and other parking in the centre of Killin.

In summary

Head from the centre of Killin over the bridge which crosses the Falls of Dochart and turn right. Go left almost immediately, after the Falls of Dochart Hotel, to follow a sign for the Auchmore Circuit up a narrow road.

Follow this road as it bends left, then when it goes right, head straight on to follow a wide track with a sign for Auchmore at the start, next to a stone gatepost.

The track climbs through woodland and views open out on the left, to the Tarmachan ridge and Ben Lawers, before the track begins to drop. As you go down, look left through the trees to see the Kinnell stone circle, thought to date from the second or third millennium BC.

After a track has gone down to the left you pass a white house on the right before reaching a stone bridge over the Achmore Burn. Beyond the bridge follow a sign for the Auchmore Trail up to the right, on to a wide, stony path. Go straight ahead at a junction as the path turns into a track and continues uphill.

At the top of the track go right to follow a narrow road past woodland and fields downhill. A very small stone bridge is crossed and then a second, just after a rough turning circle built for forestry lorries. Take a path on the right, starting at the far side of the turning circle.

The path passes through mixed woodland before meeting another path. Go left here and cross a wooden footbridge over the Achmore Burn.

The path goes high above the gorge carrying the burn before dropping to the track followed at the start. Turn left here to return to the Falls of Dochart.

Refresh

There is a wide choice in Killin, closest to the start is the Falls of Dochart Hotel.

While you are in the area

Enjoy some time by the Falls of Dochart.Or, on the other side of Killin, the Moirlanich Longhouse, a 19th dwelling shared by humans and their livestock, is looked after by the National Trust for Scotland. (Turn off the A827 once over the bridge over the River Lochay.) www.nts.org.uk