Devilla Forest - Four Lochs, near Kincardine

Summary

Devilla Forest is not the monotonous plantation you might expect, with many deciduous trees scattered amongst the Scots Pines, and a series of hidden lochs, each with its own unique character. The wildlife includes red squirrels, dragonflies and wildfowl.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Woodland paths and forest tracks. Rougher section to Keir Dam.

Getting there

Start

Forestry & Land Scotland's Devilla car park.

Public Transport

None to start; Moor Loch on the route can be easily accessed from Kincardine via Osborne Drive.

Start Grid Ref

NS963870

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 9km / 5.5 miles
Time: 2.5 - 3 hours
Ascent: 64m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (6)

Stage 1

The first part of the walk follows the waymarked Red Squirrel Trail, which is very short but is the only waymarked trail in the forest. Begin by heading through the wooden sculpture and going straight ahead onto the trail. When you reach Bordie Loch, ignore the path off left and instead continue on the path straight ahead, keeping the loch to your left.

Stage 2

This is the smallest of Devilla's four lochs, and has a really natural feel, beautifully fringed by pines. Continue until just after passing a stone on your left (known as 'The Pulpit Stone'), the main trail swings left (ignore a rough path straight ahead). Almost immediately, beside a red waymarker post, leave the formal trail and instead turn right onto a rough path heading west through the trees. Follow this clear but sometimes muddy path for 200m until it reaches a forestry track. Turn right along this.

Stage 3

At the next crossroads of tracks turn left and follow the track towards the pylons in the distance. The track swings right and runs beside the pylons. When you arrive at a T-junction turn left and go under the power cables. After about 500m you reach a barrier and another crossroads. Turn right down a darker, rhododendron-lined track, passing a house on your right. When the road forks go right, and then when you arrive at another T-junction turn right. The road forks one more time - again take the right fork and then stay on this track as it winds around the northern end of Moor Loch. The views soon open up; a bench on your right is a nice sunny spot to sit and take in the view across the reedy loch.

Stage 4

At the next fork turn left and follow a track slightly uphill, away from the loch. The track becomes a path, passes under some pylons, and then bends left. When it reaches a junction, bear right in the direction of the third and largest loch - Peppermill Dam. The path soon becomes a forest road that runs along the southern shore of Peppermill Dam.

Stage 5

After about 1.5km take the right fork to reach crossroads. Go straight across here onto another forest track. Ignore a track off left, and when you reach a T-junction marked by another wooden fingerpost, turn left in the direction of 'Cycleway Coastal'.

Stage 6

The track bends right, then left, followed by a long straight section. Look out for an informal path heading off into the trees on the right after 300m - this narrow path leads to the fourth loch of the route - Keir Dam. Ignore a path off left on the near side of the loch and instead continue to the outflow, with good views across the water.

Stage 7

Carefully cross the loch outflow and then continue straight ahead in the same direction through the scrubby woodland, following the rough and sometimes muddy path. After 100m you emerge onto the forest track. Turn left and then, at the next junction turn right to follow the sign back to the car park.

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