Dunkeld Hermitage Loop
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Dunkeld Hermitage Loop

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Overview

Distance
11.9 km
Duration
1 - 2 hrs
Total Ascent
171 m
Difficulty
Easy

Route Details

OS Grid Ref: NO 02658 42649
OS Landranger Map: 52
Terrain: Quiet roads, cycle paths and well-maintained paths
Facilities: Dunkeld (shops, food, cathedral, historic houses), Birnam (shops, food, arts centre)
Route Architect

Route Description

The Old Military Road passing through The Hermitage
The Old Military Road passing through The Hermitage

Route Description

Starting at the Scottish Deli in Dunkeld, the route passes some of the historical houses in the village square and Cathedral Street. The route takes a path towards the River Tay and follows the river briefly. It crosses under the Telford bridge, and then ascends on a ramp on the east side of the bridge onto it to cross to the other side of the river.

Following the river westbound on a well-surfaced track, the route then passes on tarmac paths and a quiet road through Inver, heading towards the carpark at the entrance to The Hermitage. The route passes on a wheelchair-accessible path through this stretch of magical Perthshire forest under giant Douglas firs, amongst the tallest trees in the UK.

The Inchewan Path
The Inchewan Path

A small detour to Ossian’s Hall of Mirrors is a great option. This is an impressive building which looks like a small circular temple, with paintings on the inside. If lucky, this is a good place to spot salmon jumping up the Black Linn falls of the River Braan.

Leaving the woodland the route follows a small tarmac road to which crosses the river and then joins the A 822 at Rumbling Bridge. A well surfaced gravel path leads from the road to Balhomish, then following the Inchewan Path through a dense woodland to Dunkeld and Birnam Station, where the route continues on a quiet tarmac road through Birnam Glen. A path leads to the banks of the Tay, and follows the river westbound past the Birnam Oak back to the Telford Bridge and to finish in Dunkeld.

The Birnam Oak
The Birnam Oak

Route Map

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