The River Lednock cascades out from a rocky gorge in the atmospheric tree-clad amphitheatre known as the Deil's Cauldron. This excellent circular walk from the attractive village of Comrie visits the Cauldron as well as having an optional ascent to the Melville Monument, an obelisk on Dun More hill that is a fine viewpoint.
Summary
Most of the route is on waymarked woodland paths. The very steep climb to the Melville Monument can be omitted.
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1. There is a car park at the west end of Comrie between the two right-angled bends on the main road. The walk is signposted from here as the Glen Lednock circular. Begin the route by leaving the car park and turning right along the road. When the main road turns sharp left, keep straight on, following the start of the minor road up into Glen Lednock. After another hundred metres where this road bends left, leave it and turn right onto a signed path between two old stone gateposts. The wide path now leads just inside the edge of some beautiful beech woodland.
2. The path soon heads into the woods and comes close to the River Lednock. Further along a smaller path descends some gradual steps off to the right. This is the start of a short loop to see the Little Cauldron. Follow this path to visit the Cauldron, where the river cascades into a deep pool in a low rocky gorge; it is well fenced. The path then soon rejoins the main route. Gain a fair amount of height and the route comes very close to the road once more; don't head onto the road but keep on the path to the right. The river is far below on this section.
3. The valley sides are becoming steeper and soon the path becomes a wooden walkway fenced against the steep drop. A flight of steps leads down to the viewpoint for the Deil's (or Devil's) Cauldron itself, where the river Lednock emerges from a rock-walled gorge in a double cascade into a wide pool. The verdant foilage adds to the gloomy atmosphere. After admiring the Cauldron follow the wooden staircase that leads up to the road. There is a pathway alongside; turn right along this.
4. After a short distance a signed path goes off to the left. This is the start of the ascent to Dun More and the monument; this part of the walk involves a steep climb and can be omitted by simply continuing along the road, rejoining the route further on. If attempting the climb, turn up the path and head steeply through the dense plantation. The path then bends left and becomes gentler before joining with a larger track and zig-zagging up the final slope to the Melville monument, a tall obelisk prominent when seen from Comrie. There is a view indicator to help identify the features in the grand panorama. To the south across Strath Earn are the Ochils whilst there is a glimpse of Loch Earn to the left, with Ben Vorlich and Stuc a'Chroin visible high above. Return down the zigzags to the track and follow this to the left.
5. The track leaves the woods at a large gate where it joins an old hill track known as the Maam Road. The junction is well signed - turn right, which is the direction for 'Monument Road'. The track passes a wooden seat and has fine views ahead looking up Glen Lednock. The descent is made via a series of enjoyable wide zig-zags, although a short cut route cuts across these. Continue down the track to reach the tarmac road. Turn right along the road for about three hundred metres to reach a signpost indicating a grassy track for 'Laggan Wood' to the left. If you omitted the climb to the monument, this is where you will rejoin the main route. Follow the grassy trod down to a bench; fork right here to cross a wooden footbridge. On the far side, take the path to the right running downstream.
6. The path now runs alongside the river, passing through lovely deciduous woodland. A short flight of wooden steps leads up to another path; turn right along this. You are now further from the river but there are dramatic views across towards the Melville monument. Go through a wooden gate and into a denser area of plantations. Ignore a first minor path off to the right, but take a second one - which is waymarked. Continue through the oakwoods - the path soon descends a flight of wooden steps to the right whilst a branch straight on ends at a wooden bench with a view across Strathearn. The path now slopes back down towards the stream once more, passing a weir to reach an iron bridge. You are now on the route of an old railway line; to the left is the car park at the east end of Comrie, whilst turning right over the bridge leads you through the back of the town back to the start.
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