Autumn is here and the stunning countryside of Perthshire is putting on its most glorious colours.  Our countryside offers a fantastic variety of routes perfect for walking, cycling or horse riding from short strolls to five-day adventures through woodlands, glens, gardens, hillsides, moors and open countryside.

If you are want to visit but are not too sure where to go, let us help you decide.

Local Path Networks

Bluebell Wood at Blairgowrie © Photos by ZoeLady Marys Walk Crieff © PKCTPerson looking across the five lochs from Birnam HillHighland cows at RannochHeather in flower at PitcarmickThe 60 metre Black Spout waterfall on the Edradour Burn, by Pitlochry © VisitScotland / Kenny Lam, all rights reserved

Over the years we have helped build nine path networks in and around most of the larger towns and villages in Perth & Kinross. All of these networks give you the opportunity to discover these towns and villages and explore the countryside around them.  

These paths vary from short, easy-going paths suitable for a wide range of abilities to more challenging routes suitable for more daring adventures.

Check out our Local Paths page for full details of walks in and around Blairgowrie, Crieff, Dunkeld & Birnam, Kinloch Rannoch, Kirkmichael, Loch Leven and Pitlochry

You can also download free leaflets containing maps and details of each network here.

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The Cateran Trail

Cateran Trail logoBridge over the Shee at Glenshee © Mike BellCateran Trail © photos by zoeKirkmichael and Glenshee finger posts ©PKCTKirkmichael to Enochdhu © Mike Bell

If you are planning a walking holiday in Perth & Kinross, then the Cateran Trail fits the bill.

One of Scotland’s Great Trails, the Cateran Trail is a fully waymarked, 64-mile / 103 km long distance route through Perthshire and the Angus glens in the heart of Scotland.

The Trail is circular and divided into five stages and can be comfortably walked in five days. The Trail has no official beginning or end and can be joined at any stage. There is also a weekend Mini Trail that enables you to sample the highlights of the Cateran Trail in a weekend.

Check out details of the full Cateran Trail, Cateran Mini Trail or download the Cateran Trail leaflet to start planning your visit.

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Perthshire Big Tree Country

Perthshire Big Tree Country logoTREE HUGGING AT CLUNY HOUSE GARDENS, NEWAR ABERFELDY, PERTHSHIRE © VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins, all rights reservedBA Diana statue at Dianas Grove © Forestry CommissionLady Marys WalkBirnam OakWalkers approaching Kinnoull TowerQueens View

With more than 200,000 acres of woodlands, which include more champion trees than anywhere else in the UK, Perthshire is Big Tree Country. Together these create Scotland's most spectacular trees and woodlands, where there are lots of different experiences to discover and enjoy.

On a day out in Perthshire Big Tree Country, you could see Europe's oldest tree, waterfalls, lochs, tranquil deciduous and man-made woodlands, and much more. You can also discover the diverse flora and fauna from stunning spring bluebell woods to spectacular autumn colours and from ospreys nesting to salmon leaping.

We have brought together 18 of the best tree and woodland sights from across Perthshire Big Tree County and grouped them together around seven locations: Aberfeldy, Blair Atholl, Crieff, Dunkeld & Birnam, Perth, Pitlochry and Rannoch.  

You'll not experience a woodland adventure quite like Perthshire Big Tree Country anywhere else!

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Geocaching

The Geocaching Logo is a registered trademark of Groundspeak, Inc. Used with permission.Close up of geocacheSilver geocoinLittle bear Travel Bug

Geocaching marries the old-fashioned treasure hunt with modern technology and is catching on like wildfire in Perth & Kinross. Players try to locate hidden containers, called caches, using handheld GPS systems or GPS-enabled mobiles and then share their experiences online at geocaching.com.

There over 1.5 million geocaches around the world. Perth & Kinrosse itself has in excess of 1,000 caches, making it the geocaching capital of Scotland.

Visit geocaching.com and read the guide to the game and watch the short film. You can put in your postcode and see just how many caches there are hidden in your immediate vicinity. Then, you can register for a basic membership for free. This is quite sufficient to get you started, but, if you become hooked, you can always upgrade to premium membership at a later stage. Then, choose your cache and get out into the countryside of Perth & Kinross and start your first treasure hunt.

For more details about Geocaching and how to get started, click here.

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Banner video courtesy of VisitScotland