Bealach Route and Killiecrankie, Pitlochry

Summary

This varied waymarked walk climbs the open moorland above Pitlochry to cross the Bealach na Searmoin, offering great views, to reach Killecrankie. The return walk is down into the gorge, past the Soldier's Leap and along a delightful stretch of the River Garry and Loch Faskally. Killiecrankie Visitor Centre has toilets and seasonal cafe.

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Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Clear paths, sometimes boggy tracks and minor roads with a hill section over the Bealach and a gentle climb to Moulin from Pitlochry.

Getting there

Start

Rie-Achan car park, Pitlochry centre.

Public Transport

Buses and long distance coaches to Pitlochry.

Start Grid Ref

NN936582

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 16km / 10 miles
Time: 5 hours
Ascent: 625m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (4)

Stage 1

The walk begins from the heart of Pitlochry - the nearest parking is the Rie-Achan Road car park (charge). From the car park head up to the High Street and turn left along it. Continue until Larchwood Road turns off on the right hand side. There is a information board on the corner, outside tiny Sunnybrae Cottage, which was an inn and the scene of a fatal skirmish in 1767. Walk up steep Larchwood Road passing some fine houses and follow the road round to the left and around a sharp corner to continue up Golf Course road. Follow the minor road to the right past the ducks on the Cuilc pond and continue on the road passing the entrance to the golf club.

Stage 2

At a T junction with benches, turn right into the outskirts of Moulin. When the road bends round to the right, turn left up a steep hill past a row of terraced cottages and the lower car park for Ben Vrackie. Keep right further on to reach the upper car park. Go through this and take the signed path uphill through beech trees before joining a track keeping uphill. Cross another forestry track onto a path, cross a bridge and through woodland until you pass through a gate onto the open moorland.

Stage 3

Continue on the well made path, passing a couple of benches, until you reach a fork. Take the left hand path signed for Bealach Walk. The route now climbs up over the Bealach na Searmoin (pass of the sermon) with good views of Ben Vrackie at the start and then towards Blair Atholl as the path starts to descend. Keep on the main path ignoring paths to the right, follow the sign for Killiecrankie when the junction with the Ben Vrackie return path is reached. Continue downhill through a boggy section of path and over a small bridge to the left of a ford to eventually reach a gate and stile in a fence. Continue downhill on the grassy track and climb the stile over a stone wall and follow the path as it bears left next to a fence heading towards a water treatment works and a minor road.

Stage 4

Go through a gate and stay on the track to go through another gate and at the minor road turnurn right and follow it as it curves downhill passing a memorial on your left. Keep left at a road junction to head under the A9 before emerging on the B8079. Cross the road and head slightly to the left to reach the Killecrankie visitor centre. If not visiting the cafe or toilets turn sharp right before you reach the building and follow the steps and fenced path though woodland down to the River Garry. Follow the signs for Soldier's Leap for a short detour to the right past a bench to view the spot where one Government soldier successfully leapt the 5.5 metre river to escape the pursuing Highlanders during the battle of Killecrankie. Return from this short detour to take the riverside path alongside the railway viaduct.

Stage 5

Continue following the river downstream passing a recreated charcoal burner's camp. Pass the Garry footbridge which offers superb views down into the gorge. Do not cross - the walk remains on the near side of the river, soon passing under a road bridge which is the site of a bungee jumping operation and there is a tree zip line assault course here. The path winds through pretty woodland. Follow the green signs for Pitlochry and Bealach Path to follow the river, eventually passing the Clunie Power Station on the other side of the river which is now the River Tummel.

Stage 6

The path passes grand Faskally House and emerges on a minor road opposite a fishing research centre. Turn right onto the road and follow it around a wide basin and gently uphill. Keep straight ahead on the road where there is a parking area on the left and gate on the right. Soon turn right at the next (signed Faskelly) car park where there is a sign board for the Faskally Trails and views of Loch Dunmore. Our route keeps right to pass a metal farm gate followingto green arrow and white waymarkers. Ignore a turning area to the right keeping ahead to pass behind Loch Dunmore (don't descend to the water) and through Faskally Wood (keep following green arrows) before bearing right at a fork to return to the riverside which is now also Loch Faskally (Note that this section is closed after 4:30pm when the Enchanted Forest event takes place for 3 weeks every Oct).

Stage 7

Keep right at a fork and soon pass a stone viewpoint - the site of a former bridge - and follow the path past the Clunie footbridge and under the bridge carrying the A9. You soon reach the boating station where fishing permits and hire boats are available. Turn right onto the minor road and follow this up past the hotel to the A924 which you follow to return to the centre of Pitlochry.

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