Loch Ordie and Deuchary Hill, Dunkeld

A long but easy-going walk into the quiet moorland north of Dunkeld, passing a number of picturesque lochs and climbing the superb viewpoint of Deuchary Hill before returning through mature woods.

Terrain

Forestry tracks, good paths, steep optional climb up Deuchary Hill. Short section on roadside verge.

Public Transport

Dunkeld is well served by both buses and trains.

Users' reports

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Start

Cally car park, near Dunkeld. Map and directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

The walk begins from the Cally Car Park which is one kilometre from Dunkeld. Follow the main road north from the village, turning right at the T junction onto the A923 Blairgowrie road. The lane leading to the car park is the second left from this road. Start the walk by heading back out of the car park towards the entrance track following the sign for Atholl Woods Path - Mill Dam and then turning left at the crossroads up the track signed for Mill Dam and Upper Hatton. When the track forks bear right towards The Glack and Upper Hatton, soon passing an area of felled forestry on the right. Keep right when the track forks again and soon pass the entrance to Upper Hatton (stay on the main track here).

Stage 2

After crossing a stone bridge, ignore the track leading to Birkenburn on the left and when the entrance drive for The Glack is reached turn left through a metal gate. The first part of the track is lined with cherry trees and if you visit in summer before the birds have had a chance to strip the trees you may be rewarded with a free snack. A short way along the track look out for a signpost on the right and turn right here following the Upper Path to Loch Ordie which soon passes the Mill Dam.

Stage 3

The track now climbs gently and after crossing the Leddown Burn turn right onto a narrow path which can be wet in places. After 1km the path crosses the burn again; very shortly after this a path heads uphill to the left through the bracken. This is the start of the steep detour to the top of Deuchary Hill which provides fabulous views - it can be omitted if a shorter walk is preferred. To reach the top follow the narrow, but clear, path which continues past some lower summits to reach the trig point marking the top.

Stage 4

Return back from Deuchary Hill by the same route, and once back at the main path turn left to continue, soon reaching a gate. Go through this and follow the fence with view over the open grouse moors and to Children's Loch ahead to the right. The path heads north to reach the surfaced road, turn left along it. Stay on the road, ignoring the turn to Grewshill and then turning left just before the bridge when the road curves right towards the fine building of Riemore Lodge.

Stage 5

Go over the stile at the gate and keep following the track which eventually reaches Loch Ordie. Keep on the main track to head clockwise around the south side of the Loch. Climb the stile and keep following the track around the edge of the Loch which is popular with fishermen, walkers and mountain bikers. At the head of the Loch a boathouse comes into view and large rhododendrons line the path. Just before Lochordie Lodge the route turns left (yellow arrow) to detour around the back of the building soon heading back towards the lochside.

Stage 6

The route then crosses the Dowally Burn on a stone bridge. Turn left after the bridge, following the sign for Dunkeld and stay on the main track, heading through a farm gate and generally following the course of the Dowally Burn. Keep straight ahead when a track heads over a bridge across the Burn and soon pass the buildings at Raor Lodge. Dogs must be kept on a lead for this short section as there are free range chickens and wildfowl. After the house turn left and go through the high gate to follow the track to Dowally Loch. The route skirts the east side of the Loch and then Rotmell Loch which is full of flowering waterlilies in late summer.

Stage 7

At a T junction turn right (signed Atholl Woods Path) and go through a gate. Keep following the yellow arrows, another gate leads into a section of forestry plantation. Keep straight ahead following the waymarkers when another forestry track leaves to the left and then keep left at the next fork in the trees. After a stile the track bears left and crosses open ground to reach the top of a slope overlooking the Tay. Turn off the main track to head left here signed for Polney Loch, passing some lovely mature beech trees.

Stage 8

The track eventually descends to the road (part of General Wade's military road) at a gate. Turn left and carefully follow the verge for 0.5km until Polney Loch is reached. Follow the signed track on the left to pass the Loch which is popular with moorhens, ducks and herons, and after a wooden hut head into the woods. The woodland path passes to the left of Polney Sawmill before returning to the car park at the start.