Enjoy spectacular new walks along old paths

Jan 16 2009 by Felicity Martin

ROUTES on the Crieff path network can easily be combined into new walks.

This circuit combines the Hosh route, marked by red disks, with part of the Knock route, marked by blue disks. It starts at the Famous Grouse Experience and passes Crieff Hydro Hotel, thus linking the town’s two best-known institutions. Along the way, it takes in some of the best views in Perthshire, with panoramas in all directions.

I did this walk on a sunny day in the autumn, when the foliage colours brilliantly highlighted the attractive scenery. In winter, snow on Ben Chonzie adds drama to the views up Glen Turret, while spring will bring a flush of wildflowers to the woodland paths.

Some of the forest on the Knock was felled in 2008 and there may still be a small diversion in place at one point. There has also been some recent work on the paths, which should have improved the section at Lovers’ Walk.

1. Famous Grouse Experience

From the distillery car park follow signs for Woodland Walks and cross a footbridge over the Turret Burn. Keep right of a play and picnic area on a

woodland path that bends up to a path junction. Turn right to walk downstream above the fast running stream on a path with wooden railings. The woodland becomes more open as you continue down what is known locally as Lovers’ Walk. Cross two small side streams then turn left at a footpath sign for Culcrieff. This path zigzags up to a higher level, where it runs up to a tarmac lane. Turn left and walk towards the Crieff Hydro self-catering lodges at Culcrieff, the site of an old estate farm.

2. Culcrieff

Just before the Culcrieff lodges, go right on a marked path and, at a junction above them, keep straight ahead on a track through trees. The view opens up over a field to the right then you enter more trees and come to a T-junction. Go right and soon after leaving the wood come to Jesus Well, dated 1874. Pass a couple of seats that have a superb view westwards up Strathearn towards Comrie and the rugged mountains that rise up to the conical peak of Ben Vorlich. The track contours around the hillside, going back into trees then drawing level with another field where there is a view southwards over Crieff.

3. Crieff Hydro Hotel

Come to a tarmac lane and keep straight ahead until the lane runs through a high wall to the Crieff Hydro Hotel. Just before the wall, turn left through a kissing gate and walk up the side of a pony field. Beyond another gate, keep ahead on a tarmac drive past more lodges and come up to a junction, beside the Lower Knock parking bays. Go straight across the junction to a walks information board and follow the path beside it uphill.

4. Knock viewpoint

Walk up through broadleaved woodland, passing a grassy area with benches, to the summit of the Knock, where there is a viewpoint indicator on a plinth. The high mass of Ben Chonzie and the rocky slopes of Blue Craigs look very close from here. Continue straight over the summit, across a heathery dip and up to a deer fence. Go over the stile and continue ahead through a recently felled area with another stile on the far side – or if the diversion is still in place, follow it left around the outer edge of the fence. Once across, keep ahead up a steep, stony path into dense conifers.

5. Upper Knock

The gradient soon eases and the path runs over spruce needles and tree roots to a small cairn, marking the Upper Knock summit. Although higher, this top is enclosed by Norway spruce and has no view. Keep straight on through dark trees then bend left as the woodland becomes less dense. Join a forest track and turn right along it, soon gaining a wide view eastwards over a felled area. At a bend, go left on a path between two deer fences to a corner then straight ahead through a high wooden gate.

6. Kate McNieven’s Craig

Walk over a grassy knoll and continue about 50m to the right towards Kate McNieven’s Craig, where there is a spectacular view over Monzie Castle of the whole of the northern skyline. Return through the wooden gate and turn right, on a path between deer fences. Rise uphill, beside larch trees, and return to the forest track. Go right and walk gently downhill for 1km (0.6 miles) to the Upper Knock car park.

7. Back to the Hosh

Beyond the car park turn sharp right at a path sign to the Hosh and go downhill on a tarmac lane past various Crieff Hydro activities, including a disc golf course and a ropes adventure course. Just after Culcrieff Golf Centre, leave the tarmac and walk ahead through the Activity Centre car park. Keep straight past the building on a stony track that goes downhill. Lower down, the track curves under large beech trees to a bend, where you go left on a path. At a path junction, go right and return over the footbridge across Turret Burn.