This very varied walk takes in the picturesque Birks of Aberfeldy, the bleak moorlands around the Urlar burn and a return route through pastures and forests with good views of Strath Tay.
Summary
Good tracks; though following part of the Rob Roy way these are not waymarked and care is needed to stay on route.
Terrain
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1. This mid-level walk can also be begun from the Woodland Walks car park off the Kenmore - Amulree road at NN786455. This would either enable Aberfeldy to be reached midway for refreshments, or alternatively the section down the Birks to Aberfeldy could be omitted altogether to shorten the walk by around 3 kilometres. Most walkers however will want to include the birks and will probably prefer to start from Aberfeldy. From the Birks car park follow the nature trail, immediately forking left to cross the large bridge over the Moness burn. The path keeps beside the river and then ascends the side of a beautiful gorge, passing several small waterfalls.
2. Further on there is an excellent viewpoint for the Upper Falls of Moness. Cross the footbridge above the falls and then fork left (for the Urlar road). Keep on the main path to the right when a smaller path goes straight on and when the tarmac road is reached, turn left. The road leads to the fine farmhouse at Urlar; before reaching this take a signed path off to the left that runs around the edge of a field to avoid the farmyard. It rejoins the track beyond the farm. The track then forks; take the right hand branch, passing to the right of plantation.
3. Beyond the plantation the empty landscape of the Urlar grouse moors is reached. Keep to the main track which is never far to the right of the burn. After passing through a gate a blue-painted wooden hut is reached - this is used for lunch by shooting parties. Further on the track forks; keep on the main track which goes to the right here and ignore the smaller one heading straight on. The track climbs close to a minor hilltop to reach another junction; this time head to the left and follow a track with a drystone wall on your right.
4. The track crosses the wall twice before finally bending left away from it. Soon the Ben Lawers range comes into view as the track passes well to the left of a small reservoir. The Carn Mairg mountains and finally the distinctive Schiehallion appear across the water. The track ends at a gate on a minor road. Turn right down the road. This tarmac section is no great hardship as it runs downhill with excellent views of the mountains ahead. Continue along the road for around two kilometres to the picturesque Tombuie cottage. Immediately after this turn right over a gate (usually locked) and follow the track down through the field. Another track joins in from the right; pass to the left of the wooden barn ahead.
5. Just before a gate and the woods are reached, turn right leaving the track and follow a fainter path, passing through a gap in a fence (the original route through the woods and past the Tower House is now blocked). Further on a bulldozed track coming in from the left is joined. Follow this track, using the small pedestrian gate beside the large locked one. The track runs through some woodland and then reaches a more open section of pastures; there are several more large gates, all with pedestrian ones alongside. The views to the Tay and Schiehallion beyond are excellent along this section which passes in and out of forestry. Wooden double gates are reached above Tulliechiul; turn right when you've passed through these.
6. After another gate the track swings to the right uphill a little, passing under electricity pylons. Soon it forks; take the left branch, passing back under the pylons and then through another section of forest; this section can be muddy. The track forks again in the forest just past a rock; again, keep left. A stile and gate are reached before the track descends to the large new stone-built house at Upper Farrochil where a larger track is joined. When the track swings left leave it for a smaller track heading to the right. This ascends through another gate and some lovely woodland to eventually reach the tarmac Urlar road once more. From here you can either turn left and follow the lane down into Aberfeldy or, more attractively, you can turn right along the road for a short distance and then turn left on a path into the woods to return to the top of the Birks of Aberfeldy. You can then follow the path down the nearside of the gorge to return to the car park.
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