Walking & Exploring Outdoors
Clackmannanshire offers lots of opportunity for exploring the
great outdoors which are suitable for all ages and abilities.
From Menstrie Castle Stay there are several footpaths leading towards Cambus, Alloa, Alva, Tillicoultry and Stirling with picturesque views of the Ochil Hills and surrounding countryside. There are also many established walks within the glens of the Ochil Hills, along the foot of the Ochils or within Gartmorn Dam Country Park.
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Please enjoy hill walking safely and always go prepared!
Breathtaking scenery for you to enjoy
Ochil Hills
Scottish Gaelic: Monadh Ochail.
The Ochil Hills are a long range of steeply sided, round topped hills, stretching 25 miles from the Firth of Tay to Stirling.
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In both apartments at Menstrie Castle Stay, there is a source of maps and walking routes available for guests who wish to explore the Ochil Hills.
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Alva Glen
Alva Glen is only 10 minutes from Menstrie Castle in the neighbouring village. This is a great option for those looking to combine a day of history with an outdoor hike. The first section is quite an easy hike and will take you through a series of waterfalls.
The second section of the walk opens up and involves some proper hill walking. From here you can visit the viewpoint at Smuggler's Cave and access the surrounding Ochil Hills.
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Alva Glen has its own car park.
Menstrie Glen
One of the local walks in the area will lead you to Menstrie Glen, which can be reached from Menstrie. An old ruin, Jerah can been reached whilst exploring the glen. This is on the north side of the Dumyat hill.
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Dumyat hill is a fierce little cub of the Ochil hills, far lower than the main range of hills, but rocky and packed with character.
The stunning views from the top overlook Stirling and the Central belt.
Dumyat Summit
Dumyat Hill sits 418m above Menstrie, it may be the smallest of the Ochils but offers wonderful views across Fife, Stirling, the nearby Wallace Monument, Perthshire and the Lothians.
As well as the incredible views at the summit, there is a memorial to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and the famous cairn with a beacon on top filled with stones.
If you are looking to walk up the hill there are multiple starting points from menstrie and Blairlogie which can be reached on foot from Menstrie Castle.
Gartmorn Dam
Country Park & Nature Reserve
Gartmorn Dam lies in the heart of the 370 acre Country Park and Nature Reserve. The 170 acre reservoir is home to a variety of local wildlife and birds, many of which breed here in the summertime.
There is an extensive path network throughout Clackmannanshire and the park links many of these routes with local communities, as well as various lovely walks around the Dam.
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Free parking on site.
5 miles from Menstrie Castle Stay.
