St Fillans Viewpoint circular

Climb up to this fine viewpoint looking along the length of Loch Earn, before descending back through the attractive village of St Fillans.

Terrain

The walk follows tracks and paths, with a fair amount of uphill.

Public Transport

Bus stops in St Fillans.

Start

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

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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, then turns sharply to the left (ignore the gate into the woods).

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 (used on the return) 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; head left through this gate, following a track to another seat with a view down Loch Earn.

Stage 5

Continue along the track, which eventually descends through a series of zig-zags. Continue 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 if you prefer, but you can detour to head back through the village itself. 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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