Craigower, Pitlochry

PITLOCHRY AND BLAIR ATHOLL


Summary :	If Beinn Vrackie seems too daunting or if short of time, little Craigower provides the perfect short hill ascent near Pitlochry. Owned by the National Trust of Scotland, the wooded summit is a fine viewpoint.
Terrain :	Good paths and tracks, waymarked; steep ascent at times.
Grade :		Distance :	5km/3 miles
Bog Factor :		Time :	1.5 – 2 hours
Start :	Craigower Car park	Grid ref :	NN936953
Map :	View an OS map of this route Buy Explorer 386 – Pitlochry	Ascent :	240m
GPS Route/ Waypoints :	Open this walk in QUO 2 Tell me more Open this walk in GPX format (compatible with Memory map etc)	Open in Virtual Highlands Tell me more Open this walk in Google Earth Tell me more
Pronunciation and meaning :	Press play button to listen Tell me more
Public Transport :	None to start but the walk could be begun from Pitlochry up Larchwood Road to reach the start.[Click for timetables]

1. There is a small dedicated car park for Craigower from which the route of the walk is waymarked. Follow the track (the continuation of the road) round the Balnacraig Steading to reach the golf course which you now start to cross. Keep to the right at the fork and watch out for golf balls as you cross the fairway to reach the fourth tee, where there are excellent views back over Pitlochry. Here a sign indicates the route, on a fenced path heading to the left.

2. The path soon winds to the right with more good views across the golf course before heading into the woods and gently climbing. When the path reaches a track, head diagonally left across it and take the path up off the far side – there is a marker post. This path now climbs very steeply through the dense plantations. Higher up a small post indicates the start of the land owned by the National Trust for Scotland and from this point the woods are more open and attractive.

3. Just when it seems like it will head into another block of plantations the path bends left up some wooden steps to reach the flat top of Craigower. Across this a cross-roads of paths is reached. The route goes straight on, but it is well worth diverting first to the left to reach a seat with a fine view of Pitlochry and the glen, and then to the right for a view the other way, to Loch Tummel with Schiehallion rising to its left. After enjoying the views, take the central path (which is waymarked) – it soon curves to the right.

4. A recently felled area of forest on the left permits even better views of Loch Tummel before the path goes up a couple of steps to meet a forest track. Turn right along this track, passing beside a communications mast. The track soon begins to wind downhill.

5. Further down the track reaches the junction where you crossed it earlier. Turn left here to follow the outward path back along the edge of the woods and then across the golf course to return to the start.

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Route profile

Accommodation links for this area:
Blair Atholl and Pitlochry: North Perthshire Hotels and Inns
Perthshire B&B (Bed and Breakfast)
Self catering cottages in Blair Atholl and Pitlochry: North Perthshire
Perthshire bunkhouses and hostels