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The Loch Shore Trail at Carron Valley, on foot or by bike
A walk · Carron Valley

Carron Valley – A Loch Shore Walk or a Family Bike Ride

About 2.8 miles on foot.

Carron Valley car parkStartThe far end of the Loch Shore TrailWhere you turn

Carron Valley Reservoir lies in the hills between Denny and Fintry, more than three miles of water under the peak of Meikle Bin.

The Loch Shore Trail follows its wooded south shore, a family walk or bike ride with play features for children, picnic spots by the water and a hide at the far end.

Time
An hour and a half for the Loch Shore Trail, 2¾ miles or 4.5 km there and back.
The path
Firm gravel throughout, with some loose and uneven sections, several short, fairly steep slopes with plenty of resting places, a boardwalk, and parts that may be slightly muddy. A 40 m stretch climbs at about 1 in 6 from the car park to the level of the dam.
Where to start
Forestry and Land Scotland's main car park at the east end of the reservoir, on the south side of the B818 (FK6 5JL): £1 for up to an hour or £4 for the day, by coins, card or RingGo; Blue Badge holders park free.
Set off
From November to January, set off by 1pm.
When to go
All year, in daylight.
Dogs
Under close control, and on a short lead or close at heel from April to July, when birds nest in forests and on loch shores.
Children
Play features for children and picnic spots along the trail; it is open water by a working reservoir, so keep children close by the edge.
Toilets
At the main car park, with an accessible toilet.

The walk

Park in Forestry and Land Scotland's main car park at the east end of the reservoir, on the south side of the B818 (FK6 5JL), where there are toilets and picnic tables. The Loch Shore Trail follows the south shore west through the woods, with play features for children along the way and wide views over the water.

Look for red squirrels and crossbills in the trees. At the far end the path loops past a hide, where you can watch for waterbirds, and ospreys in summer, then comes back the way you went.

It makes a family bike ride too, so bring your own bikes if you'd rather ride. There's no café, so bring a picnic, and check for ticks afterwards.

If it rains

Much of the trail runs on sheltered woodland paths, so it still makes a walk in light rain, though parts may be muddy.

Before you go

  1. Book accommodation nearby

    If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.

    The nearest of ours is Moment Blythswood Street, 14 miles away. Sleeps 2.

    Then Cromlix in Kinbuck, 15 miles away.

Find out more

For further reading, before you go.

Photograph by David Black via Google