This beautiful short walk offers great views over Loch Tay and the Rivers Lochay and Dochart. The walk is level and easy to follow, although some parts may be wet or impassable after very wet and stormy weather.
Summary
Old railway line, good paths on fairly level ground. After very wet weather or storms parts of the walk may be impassable.
Terrain
West car park with toilets near Old Railway, Killin
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1. Start the walk from the car park at the west side of Killin. To get here follow the road signed for toilets, parking, and Old Railway Line, from opposite Killin Outdoor Shop, passing St Fillans Church on the way. From the car park get access the old railway line behind the toilets. Turn left and follow this track and cross the River Lochay on the old railway bridge.
2. Keep following the old railway line as it passes through pleasant woodland for half a mile. Ignore the gate immediately after the bridge - this is the return route. When the railway track reaches the head of the Loch, turn right and go through a gate to access the lochside.
3. Cross the head of Loch Tay on a clear path, passing small beach areas. If you look back you may be able to make out the remains of the site of a crannog, an artificial island on which a house on stilts was built 5000 years ago. To see a recreated crannog, visit the excellent Scottish Crannog Centre near Kenmore at the other end of the Loch. Keep following the path as it curves to follow the shore and the mouth of the rivers Lochay and Dochart.
4. Pass a wooden gate keeping on the inland side of it and the fence. This part of the route has become eroded and you need to go through a metal gate a little further on and then follow the path by the River Lochay. Canoeing and fishing are popular pastimes on this section of the river. Keep following the wide river, passing through another small metal gate and crossing a field. Eventually the path returns to the old railway track at a metal gate. Turn left and re-cross the bridge.
5. Immediately after the bridge turn left down the bank, dodging the low growing branches. Go through a small metal gate after a short while. Follow the river bank until trees and shrubs block the way and the route turns to the right to follow the River Dochart upstream.
6. Pass through a farm gate into a field and follow the path up the steep bank onto the old railway track. Turn right here and follow the track until it emerges in a small housing estate. Turn right and look for the old railway continuing after a turning space. Follow this back to the car park and the start of the walk.
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