Glen Lyon – The Birchwoods above Bridge of Balgie
2¾ miles · 1½ hours
free parking · dogs welcome
Glen Lyon is a long, quiet glen running deep into the hills west of Fortingall, and this is its own waymarked woodland walk.
From the estate car park at Innerwick a path climbs through the Ben Meggernie birchwoods for long views over the River Lyon, with the post office and tearoom at Bridge of Balgie on the way round. It's an easy-paced morning for anyone who'd rather have a glen than a summit.
Where it starts
Start at the Meggernie estate's car park at Innerwick, beside Glenlyon Parish Church; free, with picnic tables.
Is it for me?
Tap who is coming, or the day you have, for the answer on this walk.
Before you go
On the path
About an hour and a half: 4.5 km from the Innerwick car park through the Ben Meggernie birchwoods, by Bridge of Balgie. A walk. Unsurfaced, waymarked woodland paths with wooden steps. Fine for children who can manage steps; no pushchairs.
Good to know
All year in daylight. The tearoom shuts on Wednesdays; in winter ring it first. Dogs under close control: sheep and deer in the glen. Toilets at the tearoom at Bridge of Balgie, for customers. The glen road is single track from Fortingall.
The walk
The walk starts at the Meggernie estate's car park at Innerwick, beside Glenlyon Parish Church on the glen road, about a kilometre east of Bridge of Balgie. There's no charge, and there are picnic tables. The Innerwick Estate gives the walk as 4.5 km, about an hour and a half, on unsurfaced but waymarked woodland paths.
It climbs through the Ben Meggernie birchwoods for views up and down the glen, with the post office and tearoom at Bridge of Balgie on the route. There are wooden steps in places, so it's no walk for a pushchair. The road up the glen is single track from Fortingall.
Glen Lyon runs about 34 miles from Fortingall to Loch Lyon, and Meggernie Castle, the old seat of the Campbells of Glen Lyon, stands further up. Sheep and deer graze the glen, so keep dogs under close control.
If it rains
Mostly under the birches, and the tearoom is on the way round: a fair choice on a damp day, though the views go in low cloud.
Along the way
About 20 min on foot
Glenlyon Tea Room
Lunch
Lunch is on the walk's way round, at the Glenlyon Post Office, Shop and Tea Room at Bridge of Balgie: a stone cottage with a timber porch and picnic tables looking over the River Lyon. It opens 10am to 5pm (4pm on Mondays) and shuts on Wednesdays. In winter, ring 01887 866221 before you set off. Dogs are welcome. On a Wednesday, take a piece, a packed lunch.
After the walk
Something to do with the rest of the day, nearest the end of the walk first.
Places to stay near the walk
Our places to stay nearest the start, by road.
None of ours is close to the start. The nearest is Pheasant Cottage in Kincraigie, 30 miles from the start. Sleeps 6. An advert.
Then The House at Dun Aluinn in Aberfeldy, 19 miles from the start. Sleeps 18.
Did this walk?
Tell the next person how it went. The best go on this page, with your name.
For further reading, before you go.
Photographs by Holly Woodward and Sheena Anderson via Google
Maps from OpenFreeMap © OpenMapTiles, data © OpenStreetMap contributors; heights from Mapzen's terrain tiles.