Dumyat and Blairlogie circuit

Summary

An alternative to the popular, easier route from the west, this longer circuit of Dumyat makes for a rougher but enjoyable round, with superb views. The route can also be started from the car park at Logie Kirk by the Stirling University campus.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Varied; rough and steep hill paths in places. Short boggy areas.

Getting there

Start

Orchard car park, Blairlogie, off the A91.

Public Transport

Bus services run past Blairlogie on the Hillfoot road.

Start Grid Ref

NS831968

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 8.8km / 5.5 miles
Time: 3 - 4 hours
Ascent: 460m (Profile)

Summits Climbed

Sub 2000: Dumyat

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Walk Description

User reports (8)

Stage 1

The walk begins from the Orchard car park just east of Blairlogie on the A91 east of Stirling. TStart by taking the path from the car park and climbing the gate in the woods. Pass through this and turn left along the path beyond. This soon leads to a group of 17th-19th century cottages at Blairlogie - a conservation area. Pass through a gate and keep straight ahead at the cross-roads, passing a final house and then continuing beyond - first on a grassy track, then a path.

Stage 2

The path continues through the countryside, entering woodland at a pedestrian gate. Keep ahead here; the path soon swings left at a stone wall. Head along the track that keeps to the left of the wall, which encloses Logie Kirkyard. Continue until the tarmac road (there is an alternative car park on the left here), then turn right up it, passing the church. Soon the ruins of Logie Old Kirk are reached, which dates back to 1560-92; the Old Kirk was abandoned in 1801 when the new church was built.

Stage 3

Continue up the road into the woods. Look out for a gap in the fence on the right, where a path leads off, immediately fording the small burn on stones and then continuing up the opposite bank. Take this path, which soon swings right and climbs steeply through the woods with some steps. It levels at a junction - a steep path climbs directly ahead here, or you can take the left branch for a more gradual climb, soon swinging sharp right to meet the steeper path. The path continues through the trees, then passes through a tunnel of rhododendrons before emerging at a viewpoint with an outlook over the Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle.

Stage 4

Continuing up the path, the woods are left behind at a broken gateway. Continue up the path beyond across open ground, now with views towards Dumyat. The path climbs quite steeply, with superb views to the right over the Forth. The main Dumyat path coming up from the Sherrifmuir road is reached opposite a gate- turn right along this path.

Stage 5

After a further 500m a smaller path may be seen heading off to the right; this is a short but worthwhile detour (crossing a wire fence) that leads to the site of an ancient hillfort on a lower top of Dumyat, Castle Law. Follow the path; the stonework of the fort is very tumbledown but the summit is marked by a small cairn. The ground to the south falls away very steeply and this is perhaps the best viewpoint on the hill for the Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle. After enjoying the vista, return to the main path to continue the ascent.

Stage 6

Pass through a gate in a fence and climb steeply more more. Take time to enjoy the views looking back, with several Highland Bens on the horizon; from left to right they include Ben Lomond, Ben Ledi, Stùc a'Chròin, Ben Vorlich and distant Ben Lawers. The summit is soon reached, marked by a prominent metal beacon, a memorial to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and the obligatory trig point.

Stage 7

The views are, again, superb, with the hillfoot town of Alva prominent below the steep slopes and sweeping summits of the main Ochils range. Begin the descent on a narrower grassy path which descends eastwards. This soon steepens and is eroded for a short section, before becoming grassy once more as it continues down towards Menstrie Glen. Pass through a gate in a deer fence - the area beyond is returning to native woodland as part of a Future Forest project.

Stage 8

At a fork keep on the main right hand branch, with the town of Menstrie visible below. Keep left of a metal fence to descend to reach a pedestrian gate and gain the track beyond - turn right along this track. As the track nears a barn fork right again onto a footpath.

Stage 9

The route now cuts across the steep southern flank of Dumyat, soon rejoining the farm track. After another 550m the track curves left by some mature trees - look out for a path on the right just before this, it is unmarked at the time of writing and easily missed. The path climbs slightly and crosses a footbridge, and then descends gently to meet another path at a t-junction. Turn right here, and then left at the next junctio to return to the car park.

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