Try hill walking with Falkirk Outdoors!

Falkirk has some great walking, but not many hills. Darach Hill is the highest in the area – although in the distance, to the Northwest, the familiar outline of the Trossachs hills looks tantalising.

Our NEW Local Hill Walks courses aim to provide access to these, and other nearby hills, for anyone wanting to get onto the high ground – and maybe see their house! No previous experience necessary, although seasoned walkers looking to get out are also welcome. Equipment, transport, advice and good company – all guaranteed.

These sociable walks will take place on the last Friday of the month over the summer period. Local hill walks start at 0800 and are run in small groups, with a maximum of eight participants.

Routes and Hills

May, Beinn Each 7.4km with 720 metres of ascent

Beinn Each is a Corbett, which means it’s between 2500 and 2999 ft and therefore not a Munro, which has to reach the magic 3000 ft height to qualify. Coming in at 813 metres Beinn Each is one of the lower Corbetts, but it is a hill of great character in its own right and is a great walk. This hill can be seen from the Central Belt but it doesn’t look like much due to it being attached to bigger neighbours. Our route begins by Loch Lubnaig and takes a very good path all the way to the summit. To vary the way down we will head off the path onto the softer grass and heather which makes up the southern side to get back to the valley.

June, Ben Ledi 9.5km with 790 metres of ascent

A very well seen hill from the Central Belt. Ben Ledi is a Corbett with a lot of history as well as offering a fine walk. This route takes in a circuit of the hill, beginning by the Leny, climbing up and along the broad southern slope which gives the hill its Gaelic name. After taking in the summit we will head down by Stank Glen to the north, which offers a more interesting route than the out and back one most walkers take.

July, Ben Vorlich 9.8km with 880 metres of ascent

Ben Vorlich looks like a limpet shell from the southeast, a pretty big limpet shell coming in at 985 metres, making it the first Munro of these local hill walk outings. From the summit you can see a fair chunk of the Central Belt. It’s even got a climbing route on it called I Can See My House From Here. Our way up is via a pleasant out and back route from Ardvorlich on the southern shore of Loch Earn. And yes, you might even see your house!

August, Ben Venue 12.7km with 750 metres of ascent

Wee Ben Venue is classed as a Graham – a hill between 2000 and 2499 ft. Don’t let its lack of height put you off, it has arguably the biggest character in all the local hills. Its steep northern flanks sweep all the way down to bonny Loch Katrine. We will go up from the Trossachs proper, which is the one mile area where the National Park takes its name from, and a very lovely walk in its own right through the native woods. There’s a bit of forestry to pass through, all on good paths, before the hill opens up and reveals itself.

September, Ben Lomond 12km with 1030 metres of ascent

Ben Lomond – beacon hill – is the most southern Munro. It’s a great vantage point, taking in views over the Trossachs and beyond to the Lowlands on one side, and Loch Lomond out to the hills of the Southern Highlands on the other. Beginning at Rowardennan, this route takes the more interesting way up via the Tarmachan Ridge, which gives the hill a great mountaineering character. After the summit we descend with the masses down the normal route.

October, Creag Mac Ranaich 8.5km with 550 metres of ascent

Sitting close to the Pass of Glen Ogle, this Corbett is the furthest of our local walks, but it is included because of its great character. Situated at the eastern end of a upland area stretching from Ben More in the west with the Braes of Balquhidder in between. There is a route round this, and its close neighbour Meall An T-Seallaidh, from Lochearnhead, but it’s quite long. Our way cuts out most of the height and is closer, going from the Pass in Glen Ogle. It’s a good introduction to pathless hill walking on a fine ridge up to the craggy summit. We will vary the way back a little to use a bit of the Glen Ogle cycle route.