The Wallace Monument, immensely impressive on its wooded summit, is one of Scotland's best known landmarks and a national icon. This short walk visits the base of the monument and explores the woods, with excellent views over Stirling and towards the Ochils.
Bog Factor
Good woodland paths; mostly up and down
Wallace Monument parking area.
Bus to Wallace Monument from Stirling city centre.
NS808957
Park at the visitor centre for the Wallace Monument, where there is a large cafe. The car park and trails are free - the only charge is if you wish to ascend the monument itself. Begin on the path that begins alongside the visitor centre, which zig-zags its way up the slope, initially just below the tarmac lane, passing a series of wood carvings. It meets the lane beside a couple of wooden benches. Cross over the tarmac and continue up the path on the far side, with the monument visible above through the trees.
Continue to the base of the monument, which close acquaintance reveals to be huge, with elaborate stonework. Those who paid for admission at the visitor centre can ascend the tower via a spiral staircase, and see Wallace's enormous broadsword and the superb views from the top.
Pass the monument on the right. Even from here the views are excellent, especially over Stirling and its Castle but also towards the Highlands with Ben Ledi, and, over Bridge of Allan, Stùc a'Chròin and Ben Vorlich. Continue on the track and then fork right onto a path - there is a stone waymarker and you are currently following the blue route.
There are further good views over the river and Central Belt from the edge of Abbey Craig before the path heads through the trees and reaches a junction. Turn right here; further on, where the blue route goes left, you can either follow it to slightly shorten the route, or instead continue on the path directly ahead which has a couple of wooden steps. This descends close to the edge of the escarpment. Further down the path turns right; ignore the right branch which heads through a gap in the earth bank and instead turn left downhill through the woods, aiming for the large stone wall. As the wall is reached turn left onto a good path that climbs gently back into the heart of the wood.
The blue route is regained at a crossroads of paths; turn right here. There are glimpses of the Ochils as the path winds uphill; turn left at the next junctuon to head up to the Ochils viewpoint. The steep front of the Ochils is seen from a bench here, though it is becoming obscured by the trees. The rocky outlier of Dumyat prominent. Continuing uphill, the path soon emerges on the outward route start of the walk. Turn right and follow it downhill back to the visitor centre.
This website and app are run by 'Walkhighlands for All' - a not-for-profit set up to serve walkers' needs.
We rely on the generosity of our users - can you help?
