Dunblane offers lovely walks for everyone; around the historic town, along the river, through parks, out to Doune, up to Sheriffmuir, up Dumyat and over the Ochils. Some can be walked one way returning by train or bus. See below for 8 downloadable popular walks.
There are also local led walks from short health walks, bump and buggy walks, dementia friendly, 2 hour rambles and local walking clubs. More info below.
Local Maps
Our Dunblane Area Green Travel Maps indicate paths and steps in town, the main paths in the surrounding countryside to local attractions, and local services. They can be picked up at the local Library or museum, or can be downloaded below.
Dunblane Area Map
Dunblane City Map
Dunblane Street Indexed Map.
Dunblane Heritage Walk
A leaflet produced by Dunblane Local History Society is available from Dunblane Museum. Also sometimes available, a one-hour guided tour through 2,000 years of history led by members of the Dunblane Civic and History Societies. Contact the Museum for details. A heritage trail is on Explore Stirling - Dunblane Heritage Trail.
Welcome to Dunblane Map
Welcome to Dunblane maps of the Town Centre attractions are situated at the Haining and Millrow carparks and can be viewed and downloaded here. We also have an informative guide here : In Dunblane and a map and local business guide here : Dunblane Map and Local Guide
Dunblane Community Paths
This leaflet details 6 popular walks from 3 – 7 miles; along the banks of the Allan Water north to Ashfield/Kinbuck, or south to Bridge of Allan (can return by train), out to Doune, and up to Sheriffmuir. It can be downloaded here and here. Also see more downloadable walks below.
Leaflets are also available for walks in our neighbouring communities : Doune and Deanston and Bridge of Allan.
Holmehill Green Walks
The Holmehill Community Buyout created a leaflet detailing some green walks in Central Dunblane.
Download here : Green Walks in Central Dunblane.
Strathallan Community Rail Partnership
A scenic and straightforward riverside walk linking Dunblane with the village of Ashfield - 4.5 miles. View Map
A gently undulating walk along open countryside, woodland and riverside between Dunblane & Bridge of Allan - 2.8 miles. View Map
A leisurely walk alongside Dunblane golf course to Glen road and Darn road.Can be muddy and slippy - 4.3 miles. View Map
Bridge of Allan and the Carse of Lecropt - 4 miles. View Map
Bridge of Allan to Dumyat - 8.3 miles. View Map
Short Walks around Dunblane
Allan Water/Laighills Loop – 2 miles
Walk by the riverside gardens, old mills, across Faery Bridge into Laighills Park, returning by the medieval cathedral, Victorian high St and old bridge – parts dating from 1409.
Holmehill and Ochlochy Park Loop – 1.8 miles
Cross the ancient bridge (1409) and along the river to the cathedral, through Holmehill - the Dun of Dunblane, used for waiting cattle at market, a private mansion, now a community park. Ochlochy Park hosts mallard, tufted duck, moorhen, swans and was previously a curling pond. Water from the Minnie Burn supplied town water and steam trains.
Longer Community Path Walks
Darn Walk/Glen Road through Kippenrait Glen – 7 miles (or 3 miles one way)
Ancient Darn Road by the Allan Water, by RL Stevenson’s cave, returning by Glen Road in Kippenrait Glen. Option of returning by train or bus from Bridge of Allan. Read the Herald article
Dunblane to Ashfield – 5 miles
A lovely walk along the banks of Allan Water, through Laighhills Park to Ashfield - a planned mill village. Back through Ramoyle weaving cottages, past the medieval cathedral and Victorian High St shops.
Up to Sheriffmuir – 6.5 miles
Past the medieval Cathedral and market place, walk past the Hydro on the old road up to Sheriffmuir – scene of the Jacobite battle in 1715. Last stance for thousands of highland Cattle and sheep enroute to Falkirk Tryst. Also where the army practiced with the Atlantic Wall before Dunkirk.
Dunblane to Doune castle - 4 miles one way
A lovely scenic walk to or from Doune castle - built by Duke of Albany, caretaker for James 1 whilst he was in prison in England. Murdoch was captured riding his horse to Dunblane, and beheaded at Stirling castle. Now better known for Monty Python and Outlander etc! An optional one-way walk using the bus 1, or 59 via Stirling.
Explore the Ochils
Our local hill Dumyat – a prominent top in the Ochils is an easy walk from Pendreich carpark but can also be walked from the University and is a pleasant one way walk to/from Dunblane. Other noteworthy walks are via Lossburn reservoir to Blairlogie, with refreshments at the Coffee Bothy, and Hillfoots bus back. Or via Jerah to Menstrie. Or over the tops of the Ochils to Dollar, and Bus back. Here are 2 options.
Dumyat – from University to Glen road, Dunblane – 10 miles
After climbing Dumyat for lovely views, the route back is easy mostly along empty hill roads. Start by getting a bus towards the University or in reverse.
Dunblane over the Ochils to Menstrie – 9 miles
Good tracks take you easily over the Ochils with lovely views. Catch buses back changing at Causewayhead or Stirling.
Led Walks
Weekly led walks are co-ordinated by Active Stirling with some starting from Dunblane;
Short health walks, Community Walks, Buggy and Bump, Dementia friendly, Nordic walks.
Dunblane Rambling Club have a programme of led walks every other Sunday sharing the cost of transport, and alternating with Stirling Hillwalking Club.
Two long distance wilderness walks passing through Dunblane
The ‘Stevenson Way’ is a wilderness walk from Mull to South Queensferry, which passes through Dunblane. It follows the route made by young David Balfour in ‘Kidnapped’, just 6 years after the final defeat and punishments of the Jacobites. Here are 2 easy walks which follow part of the route and go to local places that inspired Robert Louis Stevenson when he came on holiday.
Dunblane Stevenson Walk 1
Dunblane Stevenson Walk 2
The Mary Queen of Scots Way - Arrochar to St Andrews
Other useful information
Stirling University Campus and MacRobert Arts Centre
Stirling University's 300 acre campus situated at the foot of the Ochil hills has beautiful walks with views to the Wallace Monument and across the Forth Valley. A map is available showing paths and food outlets here.
Neighbouring villages
Bridge of Allan Community Paths leaflet can be downloaded here.
Doune & Deanston Community Paths leaflet can be downloaded here. More local information from Kilmadock Information Centre, Doune
OS Maps: Landranger 57 and Explorer 366
Harvey Maps, Main Street, Doune. Open weekdays. Useful walking map for Ochils, Rob Roy Trail, West Highland Way.
The club meet once a fortnight on Siundays and use their own cars sharing the cost of transport. The winter programme normally has low level walks within easy travel distance. In summer we go further and higher!
All walks (except where noted in programme) leave Dunblane at 9am from the car park by Tesco. Membership : single £3, Family £5
See also a shortened version of our tourist leaflet In Dunblane *
* The In Dunblane tourist leaflet was produced by Dunblane Community Council in 2013 and updated in 2015. The leaflet gives details of places to visit in Dunblane as well as various activities and events in Dunblane throughout the year. The leaflet also contains information about places to stay in Dunblane and places to eat in Dunblane. Copies of the leaflet are available from the Library, Post Office, Cathedral, Museum and various hotels, B&Bs as well as shops and cafes. It has been distributed to Tourist Information Centres in Stirling, Perth and Pitlochry. The cover photograph of Dunblane Cathedral: © Crown Copyright Historic Scotland is reproduced courtesy of Historic Scotland www.historic Scotlandimages.gov.uk
A visit to Dunblane is not complete without a walk along the sides of the beautiful river Allan which runs through the middle of the town. Paths can be accessed from the cathedral or either end of the bridge in the middle of the town centre.
Dunblane’s Green Travel Map - Updated April 2016
The Green Travel Map shows the local footpaths and quiet cycle routes around Dunblane and surrounding area. Printed copies are available from Dunblane Library and Museum. You can click on the image below to see a larger version or you can download the pdf versions using the links provided.
NEW! Cycle rides and walks available here from Wikiloc – DunblaneCycle
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Welcome to Dunblane Maps
These maps provides visitors with orientation on arrival and suggestions of places of interest to explore
The map below highlights the town centre and riverside gardens.
Dunblane Community Paths
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The Dunblane Community Paths leaflet was updated in 2013 by Dunblane Community Council. The leaflet gives details of 6 walks varying in length from 3 - 7 miles through open countryside and along the banks of the Allan Water. Copies of the leaflet may be obtained in the Library, Cathedral, Post Office and at various other locations in Dunblane - it may also be downloaded here and here. Please note that the Darn Walk was extensively damaged in August 2012 by flash floods. As a result, a new section of walk, leading past Milsey Bank House and coming out at Lecropt School, was added to get round the section of the Darn Walk that has been closed because a bridge was washed away. The new section of the route was added to the map and is shown in the leaflet. Leaflets are also available for walks in our neighbouring communities : Doune and Deanston and Bridge of Allan. |
Strathallan Community Rail Partnership
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A scenic and straightforward riverside walk linking Dunblane with the village of Ashfield. View Map A gently undulating walk along open countryside, woodland and riverside between Dunblane & Bridge of Allan. View Map |
Holmehill Green Walks
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The Holmehill Community Buyout website has a leaflet detailing some walks in Central Dunblane. Printed copies of the leaflet are available free from Dunblane Library, Dunblane Cathedral and Dunblane Museum or you can download Green Walks in Central Dunblane. |
Dunblane Heritage Walk
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Leaflet produced by Dunblane Local History Society available from Dunblane Museum. Also sometimes available during the year, a one-hour guided tour through 2,000 years of history led by members of the Dunblane Civic and History Societies. Contact the Museum for details or visit Explore Stirling - Dunblane Heritage Trail. |
Follow Robert Louis Stevenson
The new ‘Stevenson Way’ http://www.kidnapped130.com/route/ is a wilderness walk from Mull to South Queensferry, which passes through Dunblane. It follows the route made by young David Balfour in ‘Kidnapped’, just 6 years after the final defeat and punishments of the Jacobites.
Here are 2 easy walks and 2 cycle rides which follow part of the route and go to local places that inspired RLS. Wikiloc - DunblaneCycle link.
Follow the Battle of Sheriffmuir - 1715
A walk and a glorious cycle ride go from where the Jacobites and Government forces camped the frosty night before the battle, and where they fought or fled. The landcape helps to inform the story. DunblaneCycle link
Stirling University Campus
Stirling University's 300 acre campus situated at the foot of the Ochil hills has beautiful walks with views to the Wallace Monument and across the Forth Valley. A map is available here.
Stirling City Cycling
Stirling City Cycling Map produced by Stirling Council is available at various outlets. More info here. There is also useful information on cycling in the Stirling area at Forth Environmental Link - Cycle Stirling.
Stirling Cycle Hub at Stirling station, provides information, maps, local rides, bike hire 01786 474160
SSRG bike rides
Cycle rides developed by the Stirlingshire Sustrans Rangers Group (SSRG) can be found here.
Cycle Hire
Cycles can be hired from the following places:
Stirling : Stirling Cycle Hub at the station. Nextbike from locations around Stirling, Bridge of Allan and the University
Callander: Wheelology/Mounter Bikes Phone 01877 331052 or visit their website.
Wheels Cycling Centre, Callander Phone 01877 331100. Also ex-hire bikes can be bought. Also now provides FABB all ability bikes.
Loch Katrine Katrine Wheelz Phone 01877 376366
Comrie Croft (between Comrie and Crieff) Comrie Croft Bikes Phone 01764 670140
Cheap bikes can be bought from Recyke a bike in Stirling Recyke-a-bike
Cycle shops/repairs
Roots Cycles, Dunblane http://rootscycles.co.uk/ 07799 417582
Stirling cycles http://www.stirlingcycles.co.uk 01786 451559
Recyke a bike http://www.recyke-a-bike.co.uk 01786 447559
Wheels near Callander http://www.scottish-cycling.com 01877 331100
Velocity44, Stirling http://www.velocity44.com 01786 465292
Other Useful Links
OS Maps: Landranger 57 and Explorer 366
Harvey Maps, Main Street, Doune. Open weekdays. Useful walking map for Ochils, Rob Roy Trail, West Highland Way, Forth Valley and Trossachs Cycle Map, Strathearn Cycling Map and Stirling Touring Map
Rucksac Readers long distance trail goes through Dunblane. Also covers Rob Roy Way combined with Harveys Map.
Free online cycle journey planner:
Biking Expert Mileage Calculator