Top Winter Walks for Everyone
Depending on where and how you walk, it can be a gentle exercise, a cardiac workout, or something in between. It’s also a wonderful stress reliever, as it takes us out into nature, and is a fantastic way to clear your head. And going on a walk is undoubtedly a great family activity.
In this article, we’ve sorted three of our favourite walks into ease of doing them, to make sure there’s something for all fitness and mobility levels. As a guide, we consider an easy walk to be flat and reasonably short, with a good condition pathway and nearby parking; a medium walk may contain some very slight elevations, is longer, and might have some narrow or muddy sections; and a challenging walk is generally similar in terms of pathway, but also steep in places. Bear in mind that these are intended as recommendations for families with younger and/or older members—if you’re a seasoned Munro-ist, this probably isn’t the article for you!
Here’s our suggestions:
Easy: Loch Dunmore
Loch Dunmore just outside Pitlochry has a large car park just next to it with disabled parking and has a flat, firm and wide path running all the way around it, making it an ideal choice for those who are older or less mobile, or only just started working on their fitness levels. It’s also very pretty, with lots of points of interest, including the boathouse, wooden bridge and benches to sit and admire the view.
Other easy walks in Perthshire include Lady Mary’s Walk, Crieff (first half) and Kinclaven Woods.
Medium: The Hermitage
Everyone loves the Hermitage, and it’s easy to see why. Beautiful in all seasons, the walk to the famous Ossian’s Hall with its spectacular view over the Black Linn falls is a relatively easy stroll from the car park along the riverside path, with just a few steps at the end. It can sometimes be muddy though, and the walk gets slightly more difficult as you continue up to the actual hermit’s cave. However, it can’t be said to be hard and is certainly more than worth it!
Other medium difficulty walks in Perthshire include Den o’ Alyth, Kinnoull Hill and Loch Turret.
Challenging: The Black Spout
The Black Spout walk in Pitlochry has some limited parking at its base, but on busy days it may be necessary to walk a bit further. That’s not why this is a more challenging walk really though, the main reason is that it’s steep. It makes sense that, in order to see a high waterfall, which the Black Spout is, some climbing is required. The Black Spout lookout point is actually quite a short way up though, so it’s not a long sustained climb but a short burst of energy is definitely needed. And if you wish to carry on the walk afterwards up to Moulin, then do expect to keep on climbing!
Other slightly more challenging walks in Perthshire include the Birks of Aberfeldy and the Deil’s Cauldron, Comrie.
We hope you find this selection of walks sorted from easy to more challenging useful. Needless to say, whatever walk you go on, please make sure you’re dressed sensibly and with good walking shoes, and ready for if the weather changes suddenly, as it occasionally does in Scotland!
