A walk up Benarty Hill from RSPB Loch Leven

A walk · Kinross

Benarty Hill – The Whole of Loch Leven from the Top

4½ miles2 to 3 hoursa hilla loop

£4 parkingdogs on a leadtoilets

Benarty is the long, craggy hill that stands over the south shore of Loch Leven, and the view from its top is the best there is of the loch.

You look straight down on the water, its islands and its castle, with the Lomond Hills across the far side. The walk starts at the RSPB reserve, climbs steeply through the woods and comes back over Vane Hill, in two to three hours.

Where it starts

RSPB Loch Leven's car park, KY13 9LX: open at all hours, £4 a day for a car, free to RSPB members and Blue Badge holders.

Directions to the start

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

Two to three hours: a round of 7.1 km, or four and a half miles, with 300 m of climb, over Benarty Hill and back by Vane Hill, on a walkers' guide's figures. Steep in places, on well-made paths with flights of steps in the wood and several gates. The top is open and exposed. Boots. A steep hill with steps and an exposed top, for children used to hills. The reserve's level trails suit the youngest.

Good to know

All year in daylight, in clear weather. The Carden Flood on the reserve is drained for works until autumn 2027. From November to January, set off by 11.30am. Dogs under close control, on a short lead for preference, above all from April to August when birds are nesting. At the reserve, by the car park, open at all hours, with a Changing Places toilet. The reserve's car park and toilets are open at all hours. Its café is usually open 10am to 4pm; the RSPB posts each week's hours. The Carden Flood on the reserve is drained for works until autumn 2027.

The walk

The Benarty Hill round is 7.1 km, or four and a half miles, with 300 metres of climb, and walkers' guides give two to three hours. It starts at the RSPB Loch Leven visitor centre, climbs steeply through the woods and comes back over Vane Hill.

Benarty is 356 metres high. From the top the whole of Loch Leven is laid out below you, with its islands and its castle, and the Lomond Hills rising across the water. The way up is steep, through woodland with flights of steps, and the top is open heather and grass that catches the wind. Coming down over Vane Hill, at 253 metres, gives you a second view over the reserve. Wear boots. The RSPB asks that dogs are kept under close control, on a short lead for preference, and above all from April to August when birds are nesting. Down on the reserve, the Carden Flood in front of the Carden hide has been drained for works and isn't due to be refilled until autumn 2027, so expect mud there, not water. The reserve's café is beside the car park and is usually open 10am to 4pm. The RSPB posts each week's hours on its website. Walk it in daylight.

If it rains

The steps in the wood are slippery when wet and the top is in the cloud on a poor day, so keep the hill for clear weather. In rain the reserve's hides and café are the better plan.