Route: Above the Soldier's Leap

Distance: 16km

Ascent: 550m

Grade: Strenuous

Time taken: About 7 hours

This is a fantastic, varied walk from Blair Atholl to Pitlochry, taking in lovely birch woods, a high moor, a great viewpoint, old homesteads and the Pass of Killiecrankie. The walk follows the banks of Loch Faskally back to Pitlochry. 

After catching the bus from Pitlochry to Blair Atholl, the route goes through the village and across the River Garry to pick up an old route that goes uphill through a lovely birch wood (the route crosses the A9 so take special care to cross the road as it can be busy). The path then takes you up onto a fine moor with great views of the surrounding hills, including Schiehallion, Beinn a' Ghlo and Beinn Dearg. The route follows a faint path across the moor and down to the farm at Ardtulichan. From here, the route climbs up Craig Fonvuick – a super viewpoint. The route then descends past some old homesteads and into the famous Pass of Killiecrankie. The autumn colours here are usually fantastic by mid-October. After admiring the Pass, you cross a bridge deep in the gorge and follows a good path back to Pitlochry along the banks of Loch Faskally. 

The walk follows mainly good paths and tracks, but with some wetter ground in places. Although the walk starts in Blair Atholl, if you're staying in Pitlochry, you can catch the 10:00 bus to Blair Atholl at the bus stop in the West End car park off Station Road in Pitlochry. The price of the bus fare from Pitlochry to Blair Atholl is under £5 per person.

This is a strenuous walk, taking in a wide variety of landscapes. You should take plenty of water with you as well as a picnic lunch. 

The description above is not a detailed one. If you wish to try this walk, please make sure you are properly equipped and prepared, and that you have worked out the route on an OS map (the route is on the Landranger map 52 or the Explorer OL49.

Or you can book us for the day and we'll guide you along the route and tell you lots of things about the route, the area and what you're seeing. To book, please go to this page: