Photographs, route descriptions and maps for the Ochil Hills in Central Scotland

Location: Ochil Hills
Map: OS Landranger 58 [GR 898975]
Distance: 6.5 miles [11km]
Time: 4 hours
Terrain: tracks and paths

Ben Cleuch, the highest hill in the Ochils, is usually climbed from Tillicoultry but parking here can be awkward, especially at weekends. Better parking can be found at a woodland car park accessed immediately to the east of Alva, where it is signposted from the A91. The circuit from here is also perhaps a ﬁner way to appreciate the hill. Cross the access road to follow a track uphill through lovely woodland, then at the point this track descends to cross a bridge over the Silver Burn, break off right and climb a narrow path steeply through gorse then trees, out into the open. Climb the path up the shoulder of the hill past a stand of Scots pine and continue uphill alongside the grassy line of an old wall. Where the path forks, go left then swing around right on to the top of Wood Hill, at the end of the long, outstretched right arm of Ben Cleuch. Easy walking now leads across a curious trench-like landform, then along the arm and up on to the shoulder of Ben Ever. After a short descent, swing around and climb beside a fence to reach the surprisingly rocky summit of Ben Cleuch (721m), a splendid panoramic viewpoint. Descend gently south-east, then south along Ben Cleuch’s left arm, on to the top of the Law, where the slender south ridge leads steeply down to Tillicoultry. Cross the burn at the bottom and traverse over into the lovely gorge of Mill Glen. The path crosses over the burn a number of times to emerge at the bottom on its left side. Cross over once more, then go over Upper Mill Street into and down its continuation lane to reach Scotland Place. Go right, then left to gain a walkway and follow this westwards as it traverses above the golf course, then through the woods back to the start.

Location: Stirlingshire
Map: 0S Landranger 57 and58 or the Harvey Maps Ochil Hills Superwalker
Distance: 5.5miles ( 9km )
Time: 3~4 hours
Terrain: hill climb, with road section

Dumyet, the splendidly craggy little hill at the western end of the Ochils, is full of character and offers excellent views. The hill is often climbed from Blairlogie on the A91, but the ascent from there is a lung-burster and the approach from the Sheriffmuir Road is preferable, which apart from providing good views from the outset, starts from nearly 200m up and offers a more gradual climb. The hill's name sometimes causes confusion
it is pronounced "Dum-eye-at" not “Dum-yet".
This circuit gives a satisfying walk. It does mean there is a mile and a bit of road walking, but it comes at the end and has the eompensation of a lovely view over Cocksburn Reservoir towards Ben Lomond.
As soon as you start to climb towards Dumyat you can see down to the right the distinctive shape of the Wallace Monument. The view steadily expands to include Gargunnock Crags, the Forth and the carse between Stirling University campus is below you.
Dumyat then appears, looking every inch a proper little mountain. ‘The vista of the Forth now stretches beyond Kincardine Bridge. There are several lovely little corners along here where you can take a break.
You can see the summit, but the last section always seem to take longer than it should.
At the top, there are various hits of hill "furniture" including a large brazier, two memorial plaques to the men of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders and a representation of the regiments badge in a rather depressing grey colour. Ignore these and concentrate on the panorama. To the south is the carse, the Forth and Stirling. To the north are massed ranks of hills including Ben Ledi, Ben Vorlich, Stuc a’Chroin and many more. Eastward, the Ochils show as waves of green with Ben Cleuch just above the rest. The hillfoot towns nestle below.
Dumysat is a volcanic plug of igneous rock, as are Abbey Craig (site of the Wallace Monument ) and Castle Rock in Stirling. The steep scarp of the south face of the Ochils looks like a fault line, but in fact it is just a major geological uplift. The nature of the rock means that the ground is fertile, hence the wide range of wild flowers seen in spring and summer.
The second part of the walk, round the back of Dumyat, is a lovely meander, on generally unfrequented paths in beautiful surroundings Menstrie Glen ls below you. Grouse are found on these moors and you may well hear their distinctive rattling call. It is hard to believe that Stirling is so near. There is a great sense of space here. As the path swings left, you see ahead across the glen the former in-bye land of the long-abandoned hill farm of Jetah.

This splendid high level circuit of the Alva Burn takes in the hilltops of Mid Cairn, Bengengie Hill, Blairdenon Hill and Craighorn.
Start from the Alva Glen car park, which is signposted off the main road through Alva. Walk through the gap in the wall at the car park entrance, cross the road to the water treatment facility, then go over a metal stile and follow a "narrow path steeply through gorse and bands of rock on to the hillside. Continue to where the path levels out Where it meets a fence, then break off left and climb steeply past a boulder on to the obvious grassy gully which can be seen high above.
At the top, take in the viewpoint of Wee Torry on the left, then continue up on to the rounded ridge to follow a narrow hill path over Mid Cairn ( 542111; 1778ft ) and on to Bengengie Hill ( 565m; 1853ft ). Drop off the back on to a grassy hill track that cuts across Menstrie Moss and swings up right onto Blairdenon Hill to meet another hill track which leads left to the summit ( 631111; 2070ft ).
Retrace your steps and continue east across the high ground, staying on the grassy track which swings around the head of the glen. Stick with the track as it cuts right beneath peat hags then left back on to the high ground before reaching a gate in a fence. Cross the fence by a stile and continue to the top of Craighorn ( 583111; 1912ft ).
Descend the hill’s southern spur via a path then a grassy track to gain the main track below at the point it bends across the Glenwinnel Burn. Cross the burn, then go up the track for 100m or so before breaking off right to descend a steep grassy ridge to gain the ﬂoor below. Take great care here, for the slopes closer to the burn drop sharply over rocks either side of a splendid waterfall.
Going upstream, cross ﬁrstly the burn issuing from the fall, then the main Alva Burn, then climb up the other side to a narrow path and follow this to where it splits at the Smugglers Cave viewpoint. Take the downhill path which leads pleasantly through Alva Glen back to the car park.