This route combines two walks in one, following a track on a climb to a fine viewpoint, and then exploring the woods behind St Fillans on the 'scree path' (not as bad as it sounds!)
Summary
The walk up to the viewpoint is on an uphill track; the circular section through the woods is on a rough but waymarked path
Terrain
Layby near Four Seasons Hotel, St Fillans
[Map of start point, satnav coords and directions]
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1. The walk begins from the Four Seasons' Hotel in St Fillans; there are laybys for parking just to the west. Head up the lane that climbs gently to the west from beside the hotel - there is a map of the circular part of the route on an information board. The lane passes the entrance to St Fillans power station, a hydro-electric generator whose turbines are underground. There are good views of Loch Earn as the lane continues to climb past a picturesque house. When it reaches a wooden garage the lane doubles back to the right to continue the ascent.
2. Cross over the bridge over the disused railway line and pass through an iron gate. The track is now running through birch and conifer woods. When it turns sharp left note a waymarked gate leading ahead into the woods - this is used for the second part of the walk. To continue the climb to the viewpoint, remain on the track. Ignore a gated track heading off to the right and follow the track for half a kilometre, where it zigzags briefly to the right and then back left. Just beyond here it forks; take the right hand fork. This leads up to the edge of the forestry at a gate. Go through this to reach more open ground, with views to Ben Vorlich across Loch Earn. At a flattened area on the side of the hill the track forks again. Turn sharp left here to continue the final part of the ascent. There are good views down towards Strathearn as the track swings back to the right again before it ends at the fenced surge shaft.
3. Water is piped here from Glen Lednock reservoir and then plunges vertically into the underground power station to drive the turbines. There are superb views from this point along the whole length of Loch Earn. From here, descend back the way you came down the track, rounding the various zig-zags to eventually return to the gate mentioned earlier on the first bend, waymarked with an arrow. Go through this gate and follow the uneven path through dense plantations of Sitka spruce.
4. The path heads through a gap in the trees where powerlines descend the hill - there are several benches here. Beyond it continues with some steps to pass through more forest, followed by attractive birchwoods in the high woods behind St Fillans. Eventually the woods are left behind at a gate, beyond which the path slopes down to join a track. Continue downhill past a pair of cottages and pass through a gap in the old railway line where there once would have been a bridge. Just beyond turn right through a small gate (with a marker arrow) that leads to a path crossing the fields and woods behind a new housing estate.
5. Keep on the main path as it bears slightly left towards the village playing fields. Bearing left again from here leads to Shoemakers Lane back into the village. Head down this to reach the main road beside the Drummond Hotel. It is worth crossing the road and the bridge opposite here, turning right to the village war memorial, as it has a great view up Loch Earn. The return walk to the start follows the pavement from the Drummond Hotel across the front of the village until it returns to the laybys
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