Alva Glen

The Alva Glen is a steep-sided cleft scored in the southern front of the Ochils range. This short walk up it follows a dramatic path, easy at first, which climbs up into this ravine. The upper part involves a steep ascent with precipitous slopes and ends at a viewpoint overlooking the Smuggler's Cave in the floor of the gorge.

Terrain

Clear and popular path; the second section where it climbs across the flanks of the gorge has unprotected drops and steep ascent, so the walk is given grade 2.

Public Transport

Bus to Alva

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Start

Alva Glen car park, Alva. Map and directions.

grade grade
Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 2.5km/1.5 miles
Time: 1 - 1.5 hours
Ascent: 172m (Profile)
Grid Ref: NS884974

Maps / GPS

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Buy Explorer 366 - Stirling
GPS Waypoints - QUO 2
GPS Waypoints - GPX
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Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

The Alva Glen has its own car park, well signed on the northern fringe of the hillfoot town of Alva. Begin by following the broad path into the start of the glen. It passes an old quarry, now with a pond, and continues through the woods before crossing a bridge over the burn. Go up the steps on the far side and turn left to continue by the burn. Water cascades dramatically over the lowest of the glen's dams which once powered the mills of Alva; the narrowness of the gorge above the fall is well seen from here. Head up another flight of steps to reach another T-junction and again turn left, passing under the pipes which once supplied Alva with water.

Stage 2

The path passes a building and then goes through a gate. The next section of path is dramatically cut out of the rocky flanks of this section of gorge, with the babbling burn far below. After a series of waterfalls the burn is soon back up beside the path. Pass a low dam with a sluice gate and then cross the burn twice on metal box bridges.

Stage 3

Another bridge is crossed directly below a large dam with another cascade. On the far side the path swings sharply left to begin climbing up the steep gorge sides; from this point on the walk requires more care. A bench is reached with a good view back out from the gorge over the Devon plains towards the Forth. Above, the path continues to climb steeply with a series of sharp zig-zags.

Stage 4

The very steep grassy slopes are briefly contoured before a further series of tight zig-zags brings you up to the upper section of the gorge. The views back down the glen are superb. Continue on the now almost level path.

Stage 5

When an iron railing is reached there is a great view down into the gorge to the Smuggler's Cave, where the rocky walls overhang the burn. The walk ends here, and the return route is to retrace your steps. Although grassy paths do continue via a dog-leg to the left, one heading back high across the slopes above the gorge (a possible alternative return route) and the other continuing up the glen; both these paths are narrow and the steep grassy slopes can be dangerous.

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Route Profile

Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is each walkers' responsibility to check it and navigate using a map and compass.