Autumn 2024 Update
Forestry harvesting is currently taking place in the area and the track to Innerdouny is “closed”. Check the Hillbagging website for the latest logs for this area.
Innerdouny Hill with Mellock Hill and Carmodle
Innerdouny Hill is a 497m Marilyn (hill with 150m all round drop/prominence) in the Eastern Ochils. It can be easily ascended using forest tracks to reach the summit clearing. It’s difficult (unless you like bashing your way through rough conifer plantings) to make it into a circular route. For most people it is probably best done as an out and back route.
For the walker seeking a longer route, Mellock Hill and Carmodle can be included. Again, an out and back walk is probably the best choice due to a deer fence and forestry. These hills are path-less on tussocky ground and may not be to everyone’s liking.
Innerdouny out and back
- Distance: 9 km / 5.5 miles
- Ascent: 275 m / 900 feet
- Terrain: Forest track and trodden path.
- Start/finish: Parking area at Littlerigg grid ref NO 0132 070 on the B934.
Innerdouny and Mellock Hill out and back
- Distance: 13 km / 8 miles
- Ascent: 400 m / 1300 feet
- Terrain: Forest track, trodden path, path-less tussocky grass hillside
- Start/finish: Parking area at Littlerigg grid ref NO 0132 070 on the B934.
Innerdouny, Mellock Hill, Carmodle out and back
- Distance: 15 km / 9.5 miles
- Ascent: 550 m / 1800 feet
- Terrain: Forest track, trodden path, path-less tussocky grass hillside
- Start/finish: Parking area at Littlerigg grid ref NO 0132 070 on the B934.
Route Map
From the small car park a forest track goes up hill into the forest. Keep to this track through a mix of new and older plantings. After 1.3km a junction is reached. Keep right here ignoring the core path arrow that points left. Stay on the track for a further 2.4 km skirting around the northern slopes of Innerdouny Hill.
On reaching the high point of the track at NO 038 076, turn right onto a well trodden path. This path is easy to follow alongside a fence. On approaching the summit the path leaves the trees and fence, to head towards a triangulation pillar on open ground.
If only doing Innerdouny Hill return by the outward route.
To include Mellock Hill, descend northeast back to the fence. At the fence, turn left into a fire break leaving the main path. Pick up a feint trod at the left hand edge of the tussocky fire break. After 160m go left into another fire break. Don’t continue to the end of the first fire break. Again there is a feint trod in places that can be used to aid progress. After 600m a junction with another fire break is reached. Ignore this and continue straight on for a further 300m to where a track meets the fire break. Keep straight on, ignoring the track, until you reach a fork in the fire break. Take the left hand fork to reach the edge of the forest 320m after the track.
Exit the forest and climb the fence (not barb wire).
Follow the deer fence up Mellock Hill on rough ground. The terrain improves higher up and sheep paths can be used to aid the ascent. Carmodle can be added on to the route. Descend southeast over sheep pasture to the col between them. A convenient gate is located at the col. The ascent of Carmodle is straightforward on path-less tussocky grass.
It is possible to explore the other small hills in this area e.g. Cloon, Broadhead, and Braughty Hill. Doing this will entail crossing barbwire fences and some bits of boggy ground. Cattle may be grazing in some area. Unfortunately, Nether Town Hill is surrounded by a gate-less deer fence. You will need to climb the fence if you wish to include this hill.
From Carmodle return the way you came over Mellock Hill back to the fire break in the forest. An alternative is to descend northeast from Carmodle, through a gate in a fence, to meet a farm track. Turn left on this track and follow it to its end. Ascend northwest on increasingly rough ground to the forest fire break.
Return using the outward route but with the option to miss out Innerdouny.
Fife Walking 