This straightforward walk explores the largest of West Lothian’s country parks, with a lake and woodland paths. It includes an ascent of Cockleroy, which gives stunning views across the Central Belt.
Bog Factor
Mostly well made footpaths, with a grassy path to the summit of Cockleroy. Some steps.
Beecraigs Country Park Visitor Centre.
b.
NT005746
The walk begins from the car park at the Beecraigs Country Park visitor centre, which includes a cafe. From here begin the walk by taking the path back to the approach road, and then turning right on the path that continues parallel to this road; follow the orange waymarkers. When it reaches a signpost bear left across the road, then taking the lane to the left of a house, passing a vehicle barrier and the Sutherland Buidling. Cross the car park and then climb the viewing platform for views out across West Lothian to Edinburgh.
Continue down the tree-lined track following the orange markers; ignore a path off right. The route then bends right to reach the woods - turn left here. The route then swings right into the woods. At a junction turn left, crossing the dam alongside Beecraigs Loch. Half way across descend the steps on the left, then follow the tarmac track to the right, soon passing a jetty. The loch is stocked with rainbow trout and is home to herons, cormorants and a variety of wildfowl. Planted in the 1920s, the spruce forest to your left is the oldest plantation in the park, with the tallest trees.
After crossing a concrete bridge turn left (orange waymarker) into the forest. The path crosses a footbridge and continues through the trees, eventually nearing a public road. It bears left parallel to this briefly, then crosses to continue on the far side. Follow the path, eventually crossing another wooden bridge. At a staggered crossroads follow the orange route straight on. With the burn down on your left, the path now ascends through attractive woodland, with the top of the mountain bike skills area to your right.
The path passes through a gap in an old stone wall. After this turn left (still following orange markers), and later crosses a footbridge. At a junction of forest roads, leave the orange route and go straight ahead, following the sign for 'Guthrie’s Path / Southern Boundary'. At a vehicle gate, cross over the public road and follow the forest road on the other side into a more open part of the park.
Ignore a track off right, continue ahead until a t-junction of tracks. This time do turn right, not onto the track but onto the surfaced path (blue waymarkers) that forks right. On your right is Balvormie Meadow, with an array of summer wildflowers and grasses. The main path swings left, then right - keep folowing the blue markers; bear right and then left at further junctions. At the toilet block leeave the blue route and instead turn left onto a wide path, now following the green waymarkers. Keep right at a fork (staying on the surfaced path), then turn right at a junction (again on the surfaced path, following the green markers). The route then crosses a wooden boardwalk.
After the boardwalk go left at a fork, soon reaching the public road. Cross this and take the surfaced path on the far side. This leads to a kissing gate on your right - pass through this to begin a short steep ascent up a grassy path up Cockleroy.
The 278m summit is marked by a trig point and view indicator, with superb 360 degree views on a clear day. Prominent nearby are Grangemouth refinery, the Avon viaduct and Linlithgow Loch and Palace; beyond is the Firth of Forth, the Ochils, and the peaks of the Highlands.
Retrace your steps back down to the road. Cross over, through the gate on the far side, but then turn left, following the green route and the sign for 'Balvormie Play Area'. Pass through another car park, cross the public road beyond and follow the green route to the left of the play area.
After the rope climbing frame turn sharply left onto well made path, then left again. At the edge of the woods pass through the stone wall and then turn right, following the sign for 'Visitor Centre / Hillhouse'. Finally go right at a t-junction to return to the visitor centre.
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