Loch Lomond and the Trossachs · Easy · Circular

Doon Hill and the Fairy Knowe from Aberfoyle

From Aberfoyle past Robert Kirk's grave to the fairy tree on Doon Hill, returning through oakwoods and along the old railway.

Distance
6.2 km (3.9 mi)
Ascent
112 m
Time
About 1 h 45 min
High point
80 m
Grade
Easy

Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.

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Doon Hill and the Fairy Knowe from Aberfoyle
Rosser1954 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

The walk

From the east end of the main car park in Aberfoyle, cross the River Forth by the old bridge and follow Manse Road past the cemetery and the old Kirkton church, where Robert Kirk is buried. Keep left at a fork for the Doon Hill trail and continue on a track to a green-waymarked path that climbs through oaks to the top of Doon Hill and its great pine. A steep path descends to forest tracks and paths, waymarked blue, that loop south through the oakwoods and along a burn, then join the old railway path back into Aberfoyle.

It is 6.2 km with 112 m of ascent; allow about 1¾ hours. The grade is Easy: waymarked paths and tracks with one steep climb.

Robert Kirk, minister here from 1685, wrote about the secrets of the fairies; legend says they took him into the pine on Doon Hill and left a changeling to be buried in his place. Visitors tie rags, or clouties, to the trees there. Some tracks are shared with cyclists and sled-dog teams.

The main car park in Aberfoyle is free, according to OpenStreetMap, and has toilets and a visitor centre. Buses run from Stirling to Aberfoyle.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.

Good to know

  • Robert Kirk, minister of Aberfoyle from 1685, wrote about the secrets of the fairies
  • Legend says the fairies took him into the pine tree on top of Doon Hill; his grave is in the old Kirkton churchyard
  • Visitors tie rags (clouties) to the trees on the summit

Summits on the way

  • Doon Hill

Getting there

Start: Aberfoyle main car park · Free parking. 56.17806, -4.38275

Directions to the start

Places to stay nearby

Rooms in and around Arrochar and Tarbet: Booking.com → Expedia →

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Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line and figures come from OpenStreetMap and our own checks; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.