This circuit rises steeply from the pretty village of Alyth to the top of the Hill of Loyal and then the Hill of Alyth both of which have great views over the Sidlaw hills and into the southern Cairngorms.
Summary
Tracks, moorland path, some pathless sections, steep in places.
Terrain
Users'
rating
1. There is parking in the centre of Alyth, a pretty village with Alyth burn running through the middle. It looks particularly good in the evenings in the run up to Christmas when lights are strung across the water. The centre was a scene of flash flooding in 1998 when branches and tree trunks cascading down the burn and caused flooding of many buildings and houses. Start by crossing the burn from the main square and heading north along the east side of the burn passing the Alyth Hotel a Spar shop and the Alyth museum (open Weds - Sat summer only). Where the burn and the road diverge there is an old mill and stone bridge.
2. Continue along Toutie Street and up the steep road and turn right into Hill Street at the top. Bear left into Loyal Road following the green signs for the Cateran Trail (a long distance path from Blairgowrie). The road becomes rougher and passes the entrance to the Lands of Loyal Hotel. Keep straight on and pass a brick house on the left and go past the metal gate to follow the straight track uphill. This section is very steep but the views back over Strathmore and towards the Sidlaw hills improve all the time.
3. After a while the track becomes less steep until the final pull to the crest of the hill. Here there are three gates. Take the one on the right to detour to the top of the Hill of Loyal. Once through the gate keep close to the fence on the left to avoid a boggy area then leave the fence after 50 metres to cross the track and head north east through the trees, always heading uphill. Soon the trees give way to gorse and then heather and a number of smaller paths can be followed. The summit is indistinct but has great views. Go down onto the slightly lower part on the north side of the top and head east until you reach a fence. Here there is a good view of Barry Hill where the remains of a vitrified fort can be clearly made out. Return to the gate by the same route.
4. Go back through the gate and turn right passing through the pedestrian gate which is marked with the sign of the Cateran Trail. Leave the Cateran trail and head north west uphill following a grassy path. Where path forks after 30 metres, keep on the right hand branch. Keep heading on the path for the highest ground bearing north west and eventually reaching a trig point at the top of the Hill of Alyth. A metal bench nearby has a good view of the Sidlaw Hills while in the opposite direction Glen Isla can be seen. From here continue west for a very short distance on the grassy path and then head direct for the Alyth Millennium Beacon which lies 150m away in a south west direction. There is a network of paths here, just keep heading towards the beacon where you will pick up a larger track slight to the north of the beacon which you should follow to the west. . Once near the beacon there is a good view down over Alyth.
5. The path heads west downhill through the gorse, to join the line of the Cateran Trail. Turn left on the Trail to pass a small stand of pine trees which are on the opposite (left hand) side of the fenceOnce past the pines go straight ahead through a wooden gate with a yellow marker on it. The path which can be wet descends between gorse bushes. At the bottom turn left onto a track which soon bends right to descend directly towards Alyth with a view of the parish church. Pass to the left of some farm buildings and bear left along a road and then turn left at the T junction with the High Street to reach the top of the first hill out of Alyth. Turn right down Toutie Street to retrace your steps to the start of the walk.
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