Moncreiffe Hill near Perth

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This excellent circular walk explores Moncreiffe Hill, a beautiful woodland managed by the Woodland Trust, as well as visiting the summit with its grand views over Perth, the Ochils and Fife.

Terrain

Waymarked woodland paths; can be muddy in places.

Public Transport

No public transport to the start, which is 3km along a minor road from the Bridge of Earn.

Start

Moncrieffe Hill woods parking area near Easter Moncrieffe on south side of hill (do not confuse with Tay car park on north side). Map and directions.

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 8km / 5 miles
Time: 2 - 3 hours
Ascent: 250m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NO153192

Summits Climbed

Sub 2000: Moncreiffe Hill

Maps / GPS

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Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

The parking for this walk is a little obscure; take the minor road heading east from the A912 just north of the Bridge of Earn. The road passes under the M90 and just over a kilometre and a half further on a sign for Moncreiffe Hill indicates a track on the left. This track can be carefully driven, following it when it bends sharp right and eventually doubles back left. There is room to park for a number of cars just before a gate which marks the start of the Moncrieffe Hill woodlands. Do not confuse the start with another car park for Moncrieffe on the north side of the hill (Tay car park) where there is a waymarked walk and sculpture trail. Begin this walk by passing through the gate. A sign indicates the three trails waymarked by the Woodland Trust; this route follows the longest trail which is marked in red. The track heads through very fine mixed woodland with glimpsed views to the left across the fields to the nearby Ochils.

Stage 2

Ignore several turnings off to the right which are used either by the other routes or for the return, instead keeping to the grassy track. After two kilometres this slopes down slightly and comes close to the noisy M90. Just when it seems it might be heading to the motorway itself the track ends and the walk continues on a waymarked path which heads to the right uphill and deeper into the forest. The path then loops round to the right in a clearer area and, still heading uphill, passes a small pond; at the junction beyond this, bear left (still following the red marker posts). A bench just down to the left of the path is on the very edge of the woods and has an excellent view northwards over Perth.

Stage 3

At the next junction, keep right for Moredun fort (marked). The path continues uphill through the woodland, looping round to the right at one point before another viewpoint bench is seen just over to the right. Continue on the path which turns left where the yellow route joins in and reaches the edge of the trees at the foot of the steep grassy dome of Moredun Top, the summit of Moncrieffe Hill. The waymarkers keep to the right but it is well worth making a detour to the top. Rather than heading directly up the steep, eroded path opposite there is a better graded way following the path to the left of this, which curves round to the right all the way to the summit of the hill, almost in a spiral.

Stage 4

The top is encircled by a grassy bank which is all that remains of an iron-age fort. The walls of the fort were made of vitrified stone - rocks heated to such a high temperature that they melted and fused together. How such a high temperature was reached and why it was done are still a mystery to archaeologists. The summit is marked by a small cairn and has terrific views, especially over Perth and the Tay to the north, backed by the first hills of the Highlands. Slightly further round the summit edge is a curious flat stone slab with a deep hole carved into it, overlooking the M90 stretching away south towards the central belt. Return from the summit back down the curving path to return to the waymarked trail.

Stage 5

Turn left back on the trail, once more following the red waymarkers through the forest, which is mainly coniferous in this area. Ignore the yellow waymarked route off to the right. The path runs along the top of an escarpment for one section giving more good views of the Ochils. Eventually it curves to the right and descends to rejoin the outward route. Turn left here to head back to the gate and the start of the walk.

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