Venue: Ochil trails

Photos for Ochil four tops trail

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Stunning views from the summits, well worth the effort. We headed down to Tilly from Andrew Gannet Hill instead of completing the entire loop which was a great descent. Another mtber we met en route h... read whole comment... vicki gave this trail 4 stars about 2 years ago

Ochil four tops trail

starting at car park (tag 1) cross the road onto the forest path heading north west up a steep hill that drops down on a narrow path across a small foot bridge then to a gated fence (tag 2) onto a farm track with steep switch backs, head north into the hills the ground is very loose at the steepest part and may require walking some parts, continue on farm track to (tag 3) and then bear north east up to the summit of Ben Buck. Again some walking will be required due to rough terrain. At the summit of Ben Buck (tag 4) head south east to the summit of Ben Cluech (tag 5) the highest peak in the Ochil range. heading east again follow the path down with the fence to your left until the fence turns right (tag 6) over the fence and down hill fast to the start of a hard climb/push (tag 7) to the top of Andrew Gannel hill (tag 8). Another good down hill decent to the bottom (tag 9) where the hardest push of the day starts to the summt of Kings Seat (tag 10) enjoy the view! A very fast decent from here on, take care some parts a very steep and rocky (tags 11 and 12). The decent eases off and then its an easy ride to (tag 13) where a small gate leads into the path ways of Dollar Glen leading to Castle Campbell. Turn left when you reach the road and cross the small ford (tag 14) then a short climb to Castle Campbell car park (tag 15). Head down hill on a narrow steep road again use caution, beware of oncoming vehicles! head down to the main road A91 (tag16) turn right and follow road to turn left (tag 17) onto Station road. Follow road to the dead end (tag 18) and drop down onto the old railway line now a cycle path and head west to Tillicoultry. at (tag 19) cross road and follow cycle path until just before a wooden footbridge there is a gate on right (tag 20) and follow river bank to March Glen. Upon reaching road (tag 21) turn left and follow the road uphill to the bridge at (tag 22) where again you join the cycle path heading west, when you reach a farm road (tag 23) bear right on the farm road past a farm on your right, follow the road past the animal welfare centre on the left then just after a house on right (tag 24) turn right onto a foot path with a last rapid decent down to join the road (tag 25) and turn right. Follow road until you get to A91 (tag 26) and cross back on onto the single track road you drove up to the woodlands car park.

Photos for 2 Reservoirs Loop

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Did this route yesterday, and really enjoyed it. Some stunning views along the way. Couple of points for those considering doing the route. The elevation map is a bit misleading as it shows a flat run... read whole comment... seamusdubh gave this trail 3 stars about 2 years ago

Just did this route earlier today, started at Blair Logie, wich gave a mile or so on flat to warm up legs before hitting the hill. managed to pedal all the way up, never managed that on my road bike :... read whole comment... leswill gave this trail 3 stars about 3 years ago

considered your comments linnman and have changed the fitness grade to hard after reading the site definition apolagies for any discomfort caused to your wife, in my defence I did say the climb up to ... read whole comment... trekmamba commented about 3 years ago

I really enjoyed this but my wife found it to be a significant challenge. I'm not sure I agree with your ratings: the climb up to Sheriffmuir requires a high level of fitness, not moderate and the te... read whole comment... linnman gave this trail 3 stars about 3 years ago

2 Reservoirs Loop

Start ( tag 1) Logie Kirk cemetary car park just off the A91 heading to St Andrews from Stirling.From car park follow road past the church and head up a cat 4 climb which will get your blood pumping and lungs close to bursting! Once at the top (tag 2) turn left for a hundred yards then right (tag 3) into Pendriech wood and follow track up Black Hill. Eventually this track peters out (tag 4) and becomes a small track/path used mainly by horse riders , follow the hoof marks!! can be very muddy here if weathers been wet (unlikely in Scotland huh?) eventually you will come across the service road for Cocksburn Reservoir (tag 5)turn right on the road and head to the Cocksburn Reservoir head to the top of the reservoir wall (tag 6) turn right and head around the reservoir then along the track to Sherrifmuir road (tag 7) turn left on this road and follow it round to (tag 8) where you leave the road onto the farm track with Dumyat hill ahead of you on your right, follow the track and look for the small Lossburn Reservoir on your left at a fork (tag 9) turn right heading down a steep rough track to another fence, over this then cross the Loss burn and follow the faint track past some ruins and over a small wooden bridge into the field (tag 10) head up hill here to the visible fence line and through the gate into the next field and continue up until you find the start of the next track (tag 11) A good track here with some fast and steep down hill bits and some short painful climbs!! follow this until (tag 12) where all your effort is rewarded! Here starts the Kamikazi run a very steep track with some killer switch backs which can be taken at great speed but beware the ground is loose and can be very slippy even when dry! check your time on Strava for this segment to see how crazy you are. At the bottom (tag 13) turn right onto the road and head along the back of Menstrie past the scout hut over the bridge and along the back of the house's until you come out near the roundabout at the start of Menstrie then head west along the A91 back to the church car park where you started

Photos for Through the Ochils

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The Logie Kirk/Sherrifmuir climb is a killer and with a heavier full susser it takes grinds to a halt very quickly. Superb scenery and views though. Blackford up is another heavy climb to be rewarde... read whole comment... robgoo gave this trail 4 stars about 3 years ago

Through the Ochils

I started at woodland park but any where on route can be a start point. From start (tag1) head down hill and keep to the back road to Menstrie then join A91(tag2) to Logie kirk start your climb and either continue by road or turn left (tag3) to take you into Hermitage woods (tag4) gives a sharp right turn with a steep climb through the woods up to the hole in the wall (tag5) rejoin the road and uphill to (tag6) and turn right onto sherrifmuir road follow road up to sherrifmuir inn (tag7) and continue up hill then enjoy an easy ride and fast downhill to the A9. Stop short of A9 at (tag8) over the gate and along the farm track to Blackford and (tag9) over the gate here to start possibly the hardest climb in the
ochils! approx a 2.2 mile ascent with very little respite and a very nasty sting in the tail the last 0.5 mile make this whole climb without a stop and you'll be happy. Over the gate (tag10) and here starts the hard trail work. the path is easy to follow but difficult to navigate due to steep sides but still fun when dry follow the path and when the upper glendevon reservoir comes into view keep it to your right and follow the path round over tough terrain to (tag11) and drop down onto the dam wall and cross to the other side. Off the dam road and a sharp uphill right (tag12) and follow the construction road round to (tag13) leave the road here and you'll see the sign for tilly 5miles. From here the going gets very tough and you'll definately end up taking your bike for a hard walk this next long stage. its real cross country and the map path is very hard to follow but have faith (and a map) and you'll make it! (tag14) takes you onto the home stretch along a very narrow and rutted path that although clear to follow is difficult to navigate due to the deep rutting. Caution from (tag15) as the desent gets very steep and at times very rocky (I walked down most of this) lots of steep steps near the bottom to finally reach (tag16) and follow the woodland path past the golf course back to the woodland park and start in Alva.

Photos for Tilly Dollor Loop

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Tilly Dollor Loop

Various start points again but woolands carpark makes a good start finish point. from start (tag1) an easy run down behind tilly golf course to the A91 and turn left (tag2) and head along the main street to the mini roundabout (tag3) right turn here to (tag4) and the devonway cycle route to Dollor. Due to buildng works (tag5) head up to the main road (tag6) a91 and a short burst on here to (tag7) and turn right downhill to the signed path cross country (tag8) follow the obvious path through the fields to(tag9) and short road to farm track then downhill to small stream crossing (tag10) with footbridge. through next field here uphill to the farm and turn left (tag11).Back up to the A91 and turn right (tag12) briefly to (tag13) and turn left to the cycle friendly road all the way back to Dollor, good fast downhill here to (tag14) cross the bridge at the golf club follow the road then at (tag15) ver right uphill to Dollor bank farm a steep climb that takes you off road all the way to back to tilly (tag16) turn left here to follow the road back down to the A91 (tag17) then head by road back to (tag3) and retrace your route back to woodlands park.

Photos for Round the Gathering Stone

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Round the Gathering Stone

Best start point is Logie Kirk Car park but not essential. Head up to the cottages(1) then along to (2) sharp right up into Hermitage woods to join the road again(3) take the road to (4) then right turn along road to (5) junction jus before the pub. then a quick blast to the Monument to the McRaes who fought at the Battle of Sherrifmuir. At the Monument take the trail behind it up to the Gathering Stone (7) which it is said is where the standard of the highland clans was raised. From here follow the boggy path to the fire road (8) which is an easy downhill run.(9) Continue up past dykedale farm then follow the narrow path down to the housing estate (10) follow the road down to the mainroad and head down past the golf club to opposite the police station (11) Here take the darn walk for a great run through a tricky rock path with a steep difficult decent usuallyvery wet and slippy. (12) join the main road again and head back to University. (13) at pub turn left and head to sherrifmuir road and at (14) take the path behind the University to rejoin the road back to the start point.

Photos for Ben Cleuch Tilly round

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Comments and ratings for Ben Cleuch Tilly round

A tough old climb like you would expect but the downhill did not deliver. First DH section across the grass is OK but there's a fairly long section which is a deep rut with no room for pedals or feet... read whole comment... fatsandy gave this trail 1 stars about 4 months ago

Ben Cleuch Tilly round

Long hard climb initially on estate tracks and then open moorland to Ben Cleuch via Ben Buck leads to narrow occasionally boggy and off camber descent to the climb on to Andrew Gannel Hill. A short climb up then leads to an exhilarating grassy descent taken at whatever speed you feel comfortable (but make sure you go in the right direction) and then turn right down the very narrow singletrack ribbon clinging to the side of the hill as you descend on technical and often exposed singletrack much of the way toward Tillicoultry. This finishes on a rabbit warren of steep technical footpaths and then steps as you finish the descent into Tillicoultry. Follow the national cycle route back to Alva woodland Park and the starting point.