Wallace Monument and Abbey Craig

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.

Terrain

Good woodland paths; mostly up and down

Public Transport

Bus to Wallace Monument from Stirling city centre.

Start

Wallace Monument parking area. Map and directions.

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 2.5km / 1.5 miles
Time: 1 hour
Ascent: 172m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NS808957

Maps / GPS

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Walk Description

Stage 1

Park at the visitor centre for the Wallace Monument, a visit to which is a must for all Scots patriots. Although there is a charge for admission to the centre and to ascend the monument, this walk can be done for free. Begin on a new path starting behind the visitor centre, which zig-zags its way up the slope just below the track. It meets the track beside a couple of wooden benches. Cross over the track and continue up the path on the far side, with the monument visible above through the trees.

Stage 2

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.

Stage 3

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, Stuc a'Chroin 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.

Stage 4

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 main path turns right; turn left here 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.

Stage 5

The blue route is regained at a crossroads of paths; turn right here. There are glimpses of the Ochils as the path winds uphill, eventually reaching the Abbey Craig viewpoint. The steep front of the Ochils is well seen from here, with the rocky outlier of Dumyat prominent. Continuing uphill, the path soon emerges at the benches mentioned near the start of the walk. Turn right and this time follow the track downhill back to the visitor centre.

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