Glendevon Circular Walk

Route of Glendevon Circular Walk
Summary

Distance : 9 miles / 14 Km.
Height Climbed : 1200 Ft / 365M - moderately strenuous / strenuous.
Terrain : Mixture of track and heather which can be deep in places.
Time : 4 - 5 hours.
Clothing : Full hill-walking gear.
Social stops : Auchterarder or the nearby Gleneagles hotel if you are feeling flush!

Description

This is an invigorating walk in the Ochil Hills east of Stirling. The following notes are for general guidance purposes only - if you intend doing this walk it should be studied closely on Ordnance Survey Landranger map no. 58 beforehand.

The walk starts and finishes at the Glendevon youth hostel which is just off the main A823 road - note that car-parking is extremely limited in this vicinity. Follow the track up past the hostel before bearing left onto Ben Thrush. Climb steeply to reach the summit at 1496 Ft / 456M. From here follow the obvious ridge northwards. You will see the long ridge which encompasses Steele's Knowe coming into view away on your left. Upon reaching the next grassy top bear left onto this ridge and follow it in a north-westerly / westerly direction to take in Steele's Knowe (1591 Ft / 485M), Carlownie Hill and finally Eastbow Hill (1562 Ft / 476M). Take time to enjoy the beautiful views northwards into Highland Perthshire.

Return along the ridge almost as far as the top of Steele's Knowe but instead of continuing eastwards bear sharply downwards in a north-easterly direction. Continue downwards through thick heather towards Coulshill Farm. Walk down through the patch of trees just to the south-east of the farm until you come to a well-defined track which is signposted towards Glendevon. Follow this track through the picturesque Borland Glen until you arrive back at the hostel at Glendevon.