Benarty Hill – The Whole of Loch Leven from the Top
About 4.4 miles on foot.
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.
- Time
- 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.
- The path
- Steep in places, on well-made paths with flights of steps in the wood and several gates. The top is open and exposed. Boots.
- Where to start
- 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.
- When to go
- 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.
- Children
- A steep hill with steps and an exposed top, for children used to hills. The reserve's level trails suit the youngest.
- Toilets
- At the reserve, by the car park, open at all hours, with a Changing Places toilet.
- Before you set out
- 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
Park at RSPB Loch Leven, on the south shore of the loch near Kinross. KY13 9LX is the postcode. The car park is open at all hours and costs £4 a day for a car, free to RSPB members and Blue Badge holders. The toilets are open at all hours too. This is the same car park as the reserve's level trails and hides, and the paths for the hill start from the visitor centre. 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. Walkers' guides give the round as 7.1 km, or four and a half miles, with 300 metres of climb, and two to three hours. 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. From November to January, set off by 11.30am.
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.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
For further reading, before you go.
Photograph by Wojciech Suszko via Google