St Fillans Viewpoint circular

This route combines two walks in one, following a track on a climb to a fine viewpoint, and then exploring the woods behind St Fillans on the 'goat scree path' (not as bad as it sounds!)

Terrain

The walk up to the viewpoint is on an uphill track; the circular section through the woods is on a rough but waymarked path

Public Transport

Bus stops in St Fillans.

Start

Layby near Four Seasons Hotel, St Fillans. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

Users' reports

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 6km / 3.75 miles
Time: 1.5 - 2.5 hours
Ascent: 430m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NN690244

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Walk Description

Stage 1

The walk begins from the Four Seasons' Hotel in St Fillans; there are laybys for parking just to the west. Head up the lane that climbs gently to the west from beside the hotel - there is a map of the circular part of the route on an information board. The lane passes the entrance to St Fillans power station, a hydro-electric generator whose turbines are underground.

Stage 2

There are good views of Loch Earn as the lane continues to climb past a picturesque house. Continue up until a junction, then turn right - signed for Wester Glentarken. Cross over the bridge over the disused railway line and pass through an iron gate. The track continues through birch and conifer woods. When it turns sharp left note a waymarked gate leading ahead into the woods - this is used for the second part of the walk.

Stage 3

To continue the climb to the viewpoint, remain on the track to the left. Ignore a gated track heading off to the right and follow the track for half a kilometre, where it zigzags briefly to the right and then back left. Just beyond here it forks; take the right hand fork. This leads up to the edge of the forestry at a gate. Go through this to reach more open ground, with views to Ben Vorlich across Loch Earn. At a flattened area on the side of the hill the track forks again. Turn sharp left here to continue the final part of the ascent. There are good views down towards Strathearn as the track swings back to the right again before it ends at the fenced surge shaft.

Stage 4

Water is piped here from Glen Lednock reservoir and then plunges vertically into the underground power station to drive the turbines. There is a bench with superb views along the whole length of Loch Earn. From here, descend back the way you came down the track, rounding the various zig-zags to eventually return to the gate mentioned earlier on the first bend, waymarked with an arrow. Go through this gate and follow an initially good path slightly downhill.

Stage 5

Further on the path becomes rougher as it leads into denser woodland, sometimes with a fence on the right. The birchwoods are very attractive, but the path surface is poor and overgrown at times. Eventually a gate is reached; pass through and continue, soon reaching a track. Follow this downhill past a pair of cottages and pass through a gap in the old railway line where there once would have been a bridge. Immediately beyond turn right onto a cycle path.

Stage 6

The cycle path leads straight back to the start, but you can detour to head back through the village. Bear left onto a path that leads through oak woodland. It eventually emerges at a playpark - turn left here to follow Shoemaker's Lane. This soon reaches the main road, where the route turns right. It is worth crossing the road and visiting the bridge opposite here, as it has a great view up Loch Earn. The return walk leads back through the village - with Loch Earn on your left - to return to the start.

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