CYCLING

Atholl Estates welcomes responsible cyclists on our Estate roads and tracks. Please do not cycle on the busy, narrow footpaths in the grounds of Blair Castle or on high upland plateaus where vegetation is easily damaged. Please be courteous to other users of the countryside, and in particular, give way to our trekking ponies who can easily take fright at fast bikes. We produce a leaflet for cyclists ‘Cycle Routes from Blair Atholl’ showing the network of tracks suitable for cycling on the Estate, together with gradient and terrain. It also outlines 4 routes to try : Struan Circuit – 12 miles – easy. This route is currently closed where the bridge over the River Garry at West Lodge has been washed out. Glen Tilt – as long as you make it – moderate (Gilbert’s Bridge 3 miles, Forest Lodge 7 miles, Falls of Tarf 13 miles, one way) Banvie Circuit – 10 miles – moderate Bothy Circuit – 15 miles – hard. Many miles of very scenic off-road cycling is also available at the Dunkeld end of the Estate on good and rough tracks. A trail leaflet is available. Link to publications page. At Logierait Woods, half a mile north of Logierait on the Dunfallandy road, there is a short waymarked bike route through the woods: Killiechangie Bike Trail – 3 miles one-way, 6 miles return. An easy off-road route through the woods bringing you out just a bit south of Pitlochry. Make it a circuit by cycling back on the scenic back road to the car park. Blair Atholl is on the Sustrans National Cycle Network Route 7, linking Glasgow to Inverness. Bikes can be carried on local Scotrail trains, though advance booking is required.

HORSE RIDING

Pony trekking takes place on the Estate from April to mid September using Highland ponies. The treks follow tracks through forests and glens on the Estate – a great way to see the scenery. On offer are 1 and 2 hour treks for beginners and 1 or 2 hour hacks for experienced riders. The treks are not suitable for children under 12, as the ponies are too big and strong, but the Trekking Centre offer pony rides. For further information and bookings, please telephone 01796 481568. The Trekking Centre is closed on Saturdays – the ponies’ rest day. If you wish to ride your own horse on the Estate please keep to the Land Rover tracks and avoid narrow paths and mountains where your horse may cause damage. Some tracks have locked gates with stiles to keep out unauthorised vehicles, so please do contact us for advice before setting out. The Estate is currently working to reduce the number of these locked gates. Alternatively, check our cycle routes leaflet as this shows the positions of the locked gates.

MOUNTAINS

Atholl Estates has a lot of hills, bumps and mountains to explore. Munros : Braigh Coire Chruin Bhalgain (Upland of the corrie of round blisters) 1070m. Carn nan Gabhar (Hill of the goat) 1120m. Carn a Chlamain (hill of the buzzard) 963m. Beinn Dearg (red hill) 1008m. An Sgarsoch (South Side) (meaning uncertain) 1006m. Carn Fhidleir (South Side) (hill of the fiddler) 994m. Corbetts: Beinn Bhreac (speckled hill) 912m. Beinn Mheadhonach (middle hill) 900m. You are welcome to explore our hills whether you are a walker, mountaineer, backpacker, fell-runner or bird watcher. Please take away happy memories and leave no trace of your visit on the hills. During the red deer stag stalking season we ask you to help us by visiting the hills on days when the stalkers are not in that area. Many of our mountains are in remote areas with fairly featureless summits. It can be easy to get lost, especially if the cloud comes down. Please make sure you have a map and compass and know how to use them. Allow plenty of time for your mountain day and take lots of food and spare clothing. Our hills are in wild and remote country a long way from the road.

WALKING

There are many different walks in the area, covering all distances and abilities – listed here is a selection of some of the most popular. Call in at the Information Centre in Blair Atholl or contact the Ranger Service for more detailed advice. We can also provide a leaflet providing supplementary route information for people with impaired mobility. Waymarked Trails from Blair Atholl Our booklet provides detailed routes for six trails varying in length from 1 mile to 10 miles, all starting from the Glen Tilt Car Park near Blair Atholl.  The full colour booklet with maps and photographs is available printed for £1.20 from Atholl Estates Information Centre (seasonal), Blair Castle gift shop, Blair Castle Caravan Park reception or Pitlochry Tourist Information Centre.  The booklet can also be downloaded as a pdf here Red Squirrel Trail – 1 mile (1.6km) - easy, woodland walk with a good chance of seeing squirrels. Banvie Burn Trail – 3 miles (4.8km) or shortcut 2 miles (3.2km) - an easy walk beside the tumbling Banvie Burn. Please note the burn runs through a steep gorge in places so children and dogs need close supervision. Farm & Forest Trail – 4 miles (6.4km) - an easy walk that takes you up above Glen Tilt for excellent views of the nearby mountains and returns along the glen. Woodend Trail –  4.5 miles (7.2km) - easy, woods and farmland with lovely view of Strathgarry. Glen Banvie Trail – 9 miles (14.5km) moderate – a longer walk, but all on good tracks, taking you through the woods and out on to the open moor. Glen Tilt Trail – 10 miles (16km) moderate or shortcut 6 miles (9.6km) - a fine walk up one side of Glen Tilt and down the other. Some rough paths and stream crossings. This walk passes through sheep grazings for most of its route, so dogs should be kept on leads