Walks around Stirling
This fine city in central Scotland has some riverside trails, fine local parks, hill climbs and a wonderful castle to explore. The city is also close to the splendid Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park where there are numerous hill climbs and wonderful lochside trails to try.
This walk takes you around Stirling Castle, visiting the Church of the Holy Rude and a fine viewpoint. The medieval castle buildings date from the 15th and 16th century. It sits on a hill top with wonderful views over the city and the River Forth. The castle and its grounds are a fine place for a walk with pretty gardens which include a lovely 200 year old beech tree.
After exploring the castle head north east and enjoy a climb to the historic Wallace Monument.
Postcode
FK8 1EJ - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsStirling Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Stirling Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Stirling OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Stirling Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Walks near Stirling
- Plean Country Park - Enjoy peaceful walking and cycling trails in this large country park in Stirling
- Wallace Monument - This walk visits Abbey Craig hill in Stirling, home to the National Wallace Monument which commemorates Sir William Wallace, the 13th-century Scottish Knight.
- Carron Valley Reservoir - Enjoy a lovely woodland trail along Carron Valley Reservoir on this easy walk near Stirling
- Palacerigg Country Park - Enjoy miles of walking and cycling trails through this large country park in Cumbernauld
- Glen Ogle - This lovely cycling and walking trail takes you along National Cycle Route 7 through the beautiful Glen Ogle
- West Highland Way - This is a fabulous long distance walking and cycling* route from Milngavie, north of Glasgow, to Fort William in the Scottish Highlands.
- Loch Venachar and Loch Drunkie - This route in Queen Elizabeth Forest Park follows National Cycle Route 7 through the Achray Forest to two beautiful lochs in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
- Rob Roy Way - Follow in the footsteps of Robert Roy MacGregor, famous Scottish folk hero and outlaw of the early 18th century
- Loch Tay - Enjoy a short walk to Loch Tay from the town of Killin in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
- North Third Reservoir - This peaceful circular walk takes you around the pretty North Third Reservoir near Stirling.
- Meikle Bin Trail - Climb to the Meikle Bin mountain on this splendid walk in the Carron Valley
- Banton Loch - This walk visits Banton Loch on the lovely Colzium Estate near Kilsyth
- Fannyside Lochs - These two pretty lochs are located next to Palacerigg Country Park in Cumbernauld.
- Loup of Fintry - This walk visits the Loup of Fintry waterfall on the River Endrick near the village of Fintry
- Torwood Castle and Tappoch Broch - This circular walk visits Torwood Castle and the Iron Age Tappoch Broch near Falkirk in the Central Lowlands of Scotland.
- Dumyat - This walk climbs to Dumyat from Stirling University in a steady ascent offering excellent views of the surrounding countryside
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Head south from the city and you can enjoy a peaceful circular walk around the lovely North Third Reservoir.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Walks page.
Photos
Viewpoint near the Church of the Holy Rude. Accessed by means of stone steps, this viewpoint is located on its own mound at the western edge of the cemetery associated with the Church of the Holy Rude. A plaque on top of the pillar gives directions and distances to various points of interest. In the background is the broad flat plain that runs west from Stirling.
Rob Roy's statue. A statue of the famous Highland reiver and retriever Robert MacGregor.
Stirling Castle. The hill is a typical crag and tail glacial formation, with a steep front and tapering behind.
View across the courtyard and over to the Ochils. Through the battlements you can see the Wallace Monument.
A bagpipe band welcomes the delegates to the official opening of the 5th IRF World Congress in June 2008. The Congress was held at Stirling University. The William Wallace Monument is in the background.
The Esplanade, Stirling Castle. Now serving as the car park.
Music in the Rose Garden at Stirling Castle. Big brass band with snares and bass drums. Pleasant in the warm spring air. Johann Sebastian Bach - Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring. A lotta flag waving. Couldn't get "Lady Lynda" out of my beach-bum head all day. Not from round these parts. Funny tartan. Off stage they were too quiet for Mericans. Probably Cnadiuns. Very well behaved and polite.
Powder Magazines These blast-proof powder magazines were built in 1810 within the Nether Bailey of the Castle.