Top 10 spring walks in Perthshire

Cluny House Gardens

Spring has well and truly sprung at Cluny House Gardens. Wander through this wonderful wild woodland garden and discover rare and exotic plants from around the world merged with native plants to create the unique atmosphere of Himalayan woodland paradise. This is the best site in Perthshire to see red squirrels. Watch as they run through the canopy and around Britain’s widest tree – a 130-year-old Giant Redwood.

Lady Mary’s Walk

This circular wooded walk provides a peaceful stroll along an avenue of mature oak, beech, lime and sweet chestnut trees beside the picturesque River Earn. It is vibrant with colourful flowers throughout spring. A favourite of Lady Mary Murray, the path was opened to the people of Crieff in 1825.

Kinnoull Hill

Kinnoull Hill provides a dramatic backdrop to Scotland’s ‘Fair City’ as it is visible throughout Perth. The Woodland Park forms a tranquil haven for people and wildlife with miles of grassy paths and waymarked nature trails through fine mixed woodlands. The distinctive folly near the summit was built in the 19th century as a reflection of the castles on the banks of the Rhine. Its neighbour, Deuchny Hill, is surmounted by the remains of an Iron Age fort. In common with other private sites at that time, Kinnoull Hill was part of a designed landscape with carefully laid out walks and drives.

Faskally Woods 

A network of old estate paths lead round the small but picturesque Loch Dunmore, with its timber bridge and boat house. The short walk around the Loch was updated to Access for All standards. Come and see the forest in spring when the trees are in bud and create lovely shaded canopies.

Ardblair Trail and Bluebell Wood

This lovely circular path from Blairgowrie meanders through the aptly named Bluebell Wood - one of the best places in Perthshire to see carpets of bluebells in late spring. It also takes in fertile countryside and two small lochs. Wildlife is abound along this route, and swans, coots and moorhens can often be seen at White Loch.

The Hermitage

Created by the Dukes of Atholl 250 years ago as an extension of the gardens of Dunkeld House, the Hermitage features an impressive stand of Douglas firs that create a cathedral-like atmosphere as you walk alongside the waterfalls, rapids and swirling pools of the River Braan towards Ossian’s Hall and Bridge. The beautiful spring colours make it a sight to behold.

Carie Walks and Rannoch Forest

The southern shores of Loch Rannoch offer fine forest trails through glades of mature Scots pines to panoramic views of the loch and distant hills. Further west lies the Black Wood of Rannoch – a remnant of the ancient Caledonian Forest that once covered much of the Highlands.

Loch Leven Heritage Trail

The Loch Leven Heritage Trail is a 13-mile (21 km) circular walk that links natural, historic and cultural heritage around Loch Leven. The Loch is a National Nature Reserve and one of the most important sites for waterfowl in Britain. In spring, you can listen to birdsong to your heart's content and spot great crested grebe, swallows and sand martins. Catkins on willow, hazel trees and early spring flowers add a wash of colour to the Trail.

Loch of the Lowes Path

This walk explores the rolling countryside on the north side of Dunkeld and meanders through coniferous and deciduous woodland to the Scottish Wildlife Trust Reserve at the Loch of the Lowes – one of the best places to spot osprey in Scotland. These magnificent birds are already starting to nest, so there's not better time of year to visit than now!

Riverside Path

This pleasant riverside walk at Kinloch Rannoch is ideal for enjoying woodland, spotting water birds and admiring Schiehallion across the water. It follows on from the Hillside Path along the River Tummel to the village. Walk among the daffodils and enjoy the spring sun shimmering on the water.