Highland Perthshire Walking & Cycling: Easy

Birnam to the Hermitage

This is a really lovely, easy ride or walk that is almost completely flat, avoids roads, and takes you past some of the loveliest scenes in Highland Perthshire.

The Birnam Oak, the historic Telford's Bridge, the medieval Cathedral and old town of Dunkeld (looking across the river), the pretty hamlet of Inver and the stunning Hermitage (including possibly Britain's tallest tree) are all part of this route.

Great relaxed family cycling for a Sunday afternoon - or any other afternoon for that matter!

Tips:
There is a nice snack bar (Big Tree Cafe) in the Hermitage Car Park with good home baking - try the oatie biscuit... and plenty of refuelling opportunities in Birnam.

Loch Dunmore, Faskally Woods

A lovely, safe cycle route, suitable for families with young children around, Loch Dunmore in Faskally Woods. All credit to the Forestry Commission. Ten mins cycle/two mins drive from Pitlochry, Highland Perthshire. Take the old A9, now the B8019, north out of Pitlochry (signed Killiecrankie and Tummel Bridge) for about one mile. There is plenty of parking and toilets too. The route surfaces are suitable for small wheeled bikes and prams. There's lots to see and plenty of places to stop. The path keeps a discrete distance from the water and only offers a few places for access/getting wet!.
This is also the usual location for the famous Enchanted Forest spectacle each autumn: http://enchantedforest.org.uk/

Tips:
Parking and toilets. Picnic areas and benches. Just outside Pitlochry, the whole area is brilliant for visitors.
Faskally Woods are adjacent to Faskally Caravan Site: http://www.faskally.com/
Look out for kingfishers by the loch. Many types of fishes live in the loch including sticklebacks, carp and tench. Coarse fishing available: http://www.fishingnet.com/fishing_clubs/dunmore.htm
In spring the loch and environs are full of frogs and toads. Good place for newts (salamanders) and slow worms too.
Crossbills feed on the cones high in the trees. There's lots of Red Squirrels in Faskally Woods.
The route is designed to be done as a figure of eight and so can be halted after the first circuit if needs be. Older, more confident children can easily be accommodated by the network of informal routes throughout the forest.
Pitliochry is a major tourist centre with a vast range of visitor facilities. The bike shop is on the main street almost opposite the tourist information centre: http://www.escape-route.co.uk/

Faskally Woods

Older, confident children and adult beginners will find it fun and gently challenging on hybrids or mountain bikes.
Cycle out from Pitlochry or Faskally Caravan Park, it's ten minutes in either direction to the Forestry Commission Faskally Woods car park and toilets.
The route is a circuit around Loch Dunmore through Faskally Woods, starting at the carpark and toilets. The woods are the location for the Enchanted Forest spectacle in autumn

Tips:
The network of informal trails associated with this route offers huge potential to entertain the non-conformist, rebellious yoofs who really don't want to be on holiday with you anyway!
Sensible newcomers will stick to this route until they feel more confident! Over ambitious riders (usually Dads), who haven't been on a bike much recently, will at least find privacy when resting foreheads on handlebars prior to continuing on their chosen alternative trail!

Grandtully to Pitnacree Bridge

This waymarked path takes you from the tiny village of Grandtully through fields to just near the Pitnacree Bridge over the River Tay. From here, you can carry on along the quiet B898 towards Balnaguard and the Castle Dow path.

General Wade's Road

Starting out at the Cottage Hospital, this easy walk follows along the lines of General Wade's military road passing through farmland at the edge of Aberfeldy, until you arrive at Pittiely. Turn east here and continue downhill past the Spirit of Wood and head back to the starting point. An added highlight to this walk is to include a visit to Dewar's World of Whisky, before heading back to Aberfeldy!