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Loch Earn Walk

3.42 miles (5.5 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap Explore the eastern end of Loch Earn and climb to a lovely viewpoint on this short walk. You can start the walk from the car park on the St Fillans Road just to the east of St Fillans. From here you can climb up to the viewpoint above the loch, passing through the woodland of St Fillans Park. There's splendid views over the beautiful loch to Ben Vorlich from this elevated spot.
After taking in the views the route descends towards St Fillans before following the lochside road back to the car park.
To continue your walking in the area head to the western end of the loch at Lochearnhead. Here you can pick up the trail to Glen Ogle. The shared cycling and walking route runs for about 8 miles along a traffic free path following the course of the former Callander and Oban Railway from Loch Tay at Killin to Loch Earn.
Also to the west is Loch Voil where there's some lovely waterside trails to try.
The epic Rob Roy Way also passes the loch.
For an easy walk head east to the town of Crieff and try the delightful stroll through Lady Mary's Walk.

Postcode

PH6 2NF - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Loch Earn OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Loch Earn Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

The Achray House Hotel is located close to the car park at the start of the walk. The Victorian hotel includes a high quality restauarant with a fabulous view over the loch. Next door there's also the Four Seasons Hotel with another fine restauarant.

Dog Walking

The loch and surrounding forest make for a fine dog walk. The Four Seasons Hotel mentioned above is also very dog friendly with dog blankets in the bar, along with treats, toys and water bowls.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

The St Fillans to Comrie Railway Walk starts in the village and takes you east along the old railway path to Dalchonzie and Comrie. You can see the remarkably well preserved station buildings in St Fillans as well. In Comrie you can then visit the splendid Deil's Cauldron. Here you'll find a cascading waterfall and several pools resembling a boiling cauldron.
The Lochearnhead to St Fillans Railway Walk will take you west along the loch and through woodland to Lochearnhead.
To the east is the lovely Glen Turret and Loch Turret. There's a fine circular walk around this remote loch visiting Ben Chonzie mountain.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Walks page.

Photos

A85 at St Fillans - geograph.org.uk - 1035378

A85 at St Fillans. Heading west along the north shore of Loch Earn, towards Lochearnhead. The railings on the left are to guard the tailrace of St Fillans hydroelectric power station.

Loch Earn - geograph.org.uk - 955202

Loch Earn

Spoil Heap from St Fillans surge shaft, from the Girron - geograph.org.uk - 1598174

Spoil Heap from St Fillans surge shaft, from the Girron. The large dome of rock and earth on the right of the picture is the spoil from the excavation of the shafts connecting to St Fillans Power Station on the lochside below. Other tunnels bring water from the surrounding hills to this point to provide hydro electric power generation for the community of St Fillans. The raw debris from the excavation is gradually being assimilated into the hillside as grasses and heather take over.

Cup-marked rock above St Fillans - geograph.org.uk - 688039

Cup-marked rock above St Fillans. Hills south of the loch which is in the background.

Track above Glentarken Wood, St Fillans - geograph.org.uk - 1579509

Track above Glentarken Wood, St Fillans. From here the track bends sharply and rises a further distance to the site of the Surge Shaft (of St Fillans power station) which collects and delivers the head of water to drive the turbines.

Moorland and Burn - geograph.org.uk - 688047

Moorland and Burn north of the loch.

Loch Earn and lower Glen Beich - geograph.org.uk - 749462

Loch Earn and lower Glen Beich from Meall a' Mhadaidh.

Western end of Loch Earn from the Glen Ogle trail - geograph.org.uk - 678453

Western end of the loch from the Glen Ogle trail. The Glen Ogle trail is part of the dismantled Stirling to Oban railway: This used to be considered one of the finest views from a train in Scotland.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Loch Earn.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Loch Earn.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)