A walk to two quiet Ochils summits.

  • Distance: 10 km / 6.2 miles
  • Ascent: 430 m / 1400 feet
  • Terrain: Mostly path-less ground on tussocks and heather (some quad bike tracks can be used), Quite a bit of fence climbing required
  • Start / finish: Layby on A823 opposite Glendevon Reservoirs road, north of Glendevon, grid ref NN 948 052

Route Map

Route map

Climb the fence at the north end of the layby into the adjacent field and start making your way up the hill alongside the trees. At the far side of the field climb another fence/gate onto the open hill. From this point a feint path leads upwards soon becoming a quad bike track. This track can be followed as far as a TV aerial, after which it starts to peter out.

Aim roughly north towards the summit named The Seat. You may be able to pick up other tracks to follow but take care to ensure that they are heading in the right direction, especially if visibility is poor. After The Seat continue northwards for a further 500m before bearing left towards the summit of East Craigs 600m north west.

There are two cairned summits and the second one is the highest point at 473m. To avoid losing height, leave the summit in a north north east direction aiming towards a coll 500m distant. Turn north west at the coll aiming towards the summit of Eastbow Hill. The terrain here becomes a bit rougher over tussocks although you may be able to pick up a quad bike track to ease progress.

Eastbow Hill at 476m sports its own OS trig point to mark its summit. The route from here to Steele’s Knowe is almost due east following the wall / fence for over 2km. The terrain is easier now although it can be quite wet in places.

Steele’s Knowe summit lies north of the wall so as you start to approach it you will need to cross the wall/fence to reach this 485m summit also with a trig point. From the summit either return to the wall and follow it along to the wind turbine or head directly to the turbine. From here follow the road south south west for 800m to reach turbine no. 1 (don’t be tempted to follow the exit sign).

At turbine 1 leave the road on a feint path heading downhill in a south westerly direction. The path soon joins a quad bike track beside a fenced off area for the descent to the confluence of two burns at a sheep feeding area. The burn is easily crossed by means of a wooden bridge .

From the burn head south west up the easy grass slopes of Truffy Knowe. Cross a fence after which the terrain becomes a bit more tussocky / heathery until you reach the flat summit area. Continue south west downhill until you start to approach a fence. At this point turn south and then south east for the summit of The Law. This dog leg avoids descending and reascending steep ground at The Goat.

The Law at 404m is the last summit of the day. It’s an unremarkable summit without any feature. From here it is now all down hill. First though, head to the 393 point south of the summit. Descend south west towards Glenhead Farm. A fence needs to be crossed and unlike all the earlier fences this one includes a barb wire strand. After the fence it is a straightforward descent on a quad bike track down to the farm.

Follow a path round the back of the farm and make your way along the hillside beside the walls to reach the stand of trees close to where you started. Climb the gate and cross the field back to the road.