The Clunie Walk provides an escape from the hubbub of Pitlochry by climbing up into the forested hills on the opposite side of the River Tummel. It gives superb views over both the town and the hills beyond.
Bog Factor
Good paths, tracks and minor roads, waymarked with a steep ascent. The route crosses the busy A9 so care must be taken.
Ferry Road car park, Pitlochry.
Buses and trains to Pilochry.
NN939579
The walk starts from the public car park (charge) off Ferry Road in Pitlochry. Follow Ferry Road under the railway and then turning right to reach the car park (on the right). Begin the walk by turning right along the road from the car park entrance, then taking the marked path that turns sharply left uphill with a railing, crossing over a track. The path leads through the woods to emerge at a road. Go almost straight across down a path signed for the Festival Theatre and the Fish Ladder. Follow this path and cross the Port-na-Craig suspension bridge. Port-na-Craig means ferry by the rock, referring to the large rock sticking out in the river; it's a beautiful spot.
After the bridge continue to the road, turn turn left up it for 100m. Cross the larger road and continue uphill on a smaller road following the signs for the Clunie walk which are marked by brown marker posts. The road climbs uphill and ends at a gate leading to the A9. Take care crossing this very busy road. On the other side follow the small road uphill passing farm buildings and continuing straight on. Ignore the track off right to Netherton. The climb is steep but the views back over Pitlochry improve all the time. Eventually a signed path leads off to the left as you enter Fonab woods. Follow this path straight uphill passing through a gate and into the forestry plantation.
When the path emerges onto a forestry track, cross over and follow the grassy path uphill on the other side. This path reaches a crossroads and you turn right here following the sign. The track straight ahead leads to Strathtay via the Rob Roy Way. Follow the forestry track, keeping an eye out for red squirrels and deer, until it passes a mast on the right and reaches a fence and the open moorland. Go through the gate and follow the narrow path through the heather.
There are good views over the rugged immediate landscape and to the distant hills - including Ben Lawers to the west. The path skirts around the hills. At one point there's a short detour path on the right that leads up to the top of a heathery mound with superb views over Pitlochry. Return to the main path, which is boggy in places - it follows the line of ancient Pictish road.
Keep following the path which soon leads through a gate. There are grand views over the Atholl hills as the path begins to descend towards the forest and becomes an ATV track. Fork left Follow left at a marker post to head down to a gate leading into the plantations. Continue through the trees until a t-junction. Turn right here and head slightly uphill. When the forest track forks, keep to the right uphill.
Where the grassy track meets another track turn right uphill and pass through a gate. There are views down to Loch Faskally and Pitlochry to the left. Eventually the track reaches a wide junction with another forestry track. Turn left downhill here and follow the main track as it curves down the hill, ignoring any smaller tracks. Soon the track passes through the gate at the entrance to Fonab Woods and after a very short while you are back on the outward route. Retrace your steps downhill past the farm and over the A9 and the suspension bridge back to the centre of Pitlochry.
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