Highland Perthshire Walking & Cycling: Moderate

A short circuit including a loop in Craigvinean Forest

A varied route, which also includes the Hermitage - very popular with family walkers so a little care required here!
This trip was mapped by Progression Bikes, based in Dunkeld. Bike hire, guided trips, uplifts and more!

Loch Oiseanneach by Loch Ordie

Start from the Cally Car Park (signposted off the Blairgowrie/Loch of the Lowes road just outside of Dunkeld). Take the main fire road uphill, you achieve height quickly and easily. Continue up past Mill Dam and another two lochs, head through a gate and kept dogs on a leash as there are ducks and wildfowl, at Loch Ordie continue straight keeping the loch on your right. As you pass Loch Ordie continue on the main fire road as it bends left, right then bears left again. Either return by the same way or continue round the head of the loch taking second left then right to bring you round in a bigger loop back to Loch Ordie, this path may be boggy in places.
Tips:
OS Landranger (1:50 000) 52 Pitlochry and Crieff
Less than 30 minutes north of Perth.
Facilities in Dunkeld, five minutes from car park.

Birnam to Bankfoot via Glen Garr - and back by bus!

This walk begins in Birnam, following the Birnam Glen path up to just beyond Balhomish, then taking a left off into the fields leading into Glen Garr - a very old droving right of way. After you arrive at Upper Obney, follow the minor road into Bankfoot. If you've got your timing right, you can wait at the bus stop by the school for the bus to take you back to Birnam.

The alternative of course is to take the bus to Bankfoot from Perth, walk across to Birnam and from there the bus back to Perth. A great day out either way, with options for food and drink both in Bankfoot and Birnam!

A route around Birnam

A pretty easy short route featuring a steady climb through Birnam Glen followed by a gradual downhill to the Strathbraan road. Short stretch of road to join up again with the paths network and follow the rivers Tay and Strathbraan back to Birnam.

Dull Wood

A 10km mountain bike circuit comprising a steep climb and fast descent on farm/forest 4WD tracks. Lovely, elevated views of Aberfeldy, the Tay and Appin of Dull. Most suitable for fit and confident teenage and adult riders.
If you have carried your bikes by car or need to hire bikes then there is ample free parking and a wide range of visitor facilities at Highland Safaris, less than three miles west of Aberfeldy on the B846 Fortingall /Glen Lyon road (leave Aberfeldy by the famous Wade's Bridge over the Tay). Start the circuit by turning left out of the entrance and head down to the main road. Turn left and cycle back towards Aberfeldy for nearly half a mile to the Camserney turn off. Turn left to the bonny hamlet, passing the bus shelter and phone box at the road end. You now start climbing for just under two miles. Remain on the main track, it keeps heading up! The circuit is partially signed, with green core path indicators, as the Dull Wood Circular. At a point, close to the top of the climb, you will be confronted by a range of gates. A track continues ungated off to your right to Lurgan. Instead, pass through the gate straight ahead and continue uphill. Shortly afterwards you will encounter the main hill gate which has a small gate beside it, conveniently allowing cyclists and walkers to pass. Turn next left, down a seriously muddy and rutted track towards the burn and the footbridge, The latter is perched incongruously above the burn just upstream of a ford that is best ridden only in very low water. Head on up the track for a short distance and you'll encounter another gate (often there are ponies here). After that, turn left onto the forest track and continue to the unmarked but obvious viewpoint of the Rock of Dull. The views here are worth every bit of effort to get there! To your left is Aberfeldy, below are Dull and Camserney and to your right is Loch Tay and Drummond Hill (route on EveryTrail). The downhill on this well made forest track is fast and exhilarating. On my descent, I heard Chiffchaff just arrived from Africa, green woodpecker laughing on the slopes and scattered roe deer back into the woods! Near the bottom of the final descent just take care to take the left trail off to Dull. Otherwise, you'll have another gate to go through and a return along the main road. The return trail heads off level to your left on a very tight right hand bend before a gate by a house. This is a lovely trail that takes you back into Dull, bear left and downhill into Highland Safaris. You'll get a warm welcome and food or a cup of tea and cake inside!
Tips:
The pink (Landranger) OS map 52 Pitlochry, Crieff and Aberfeldy would be useful and offers a range of alternative routes in the area.
During office hours, parking is free and convenient at Highland Safaris . If the gates are closed, usually after 5pm, then park in Camserney.
Highland Safaris have a lot to offer visitors to the area including a cafe, food shop, excursions, a bike skills loop next to the car park and bike hire. www.highlandsafaris.net
Between Aberfeldy and Dull is the House of Menzies tearoom and shop, well worth a visit.
Aberfeldy is the nearest small town and offers accommodation, food and lovely walks. Camserney is linked by cycle path to Aberfeldy.
To the west, Kenmore is also nearby and The Courtyard is a delightful location for coffee, food etc. There's an EveryTrail route up Drummond Hill nearby.
The nearest bike shop is the fabulous Escape Route in Pitlochry http://www.escape-route.co.uk/