Best walks near Perth by train

Polmont Station to Linlithgow Station (Stirlingshire)

1h from Perth, with one change.

The highlight of the route is the spectacular Avon Aqueduct. A simple, direct and easy-to-follow walk mostly along the Union Canal towpath, with an uphill section from Polmont at the start and a downhill section into Linlithgow. Good surfaces with no road sections and though the towpath is narrow in places and there are stepped sections in Linlithgow. Follows the Union Canal towpath. Linlithgow has plenty of history to explore.

Easy: 10km, moderate ascents.

The towpath is narrow in places. Stepped sections in Linlithgow may present problems for some, though alternatives exist.

End-of-walk reward: the Granary.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Dunblane Station to Bridge of Allan Station (Perthshire)

30m direct from Perth.

An accessible, attractive walk entirely on roads with a good surface, the central third closed to traffic, through woods on the old Glen Road. A mix of quiet roads and a traffic-free closed road/cycle path and with a footpath that narrows along Glen Road and a bit more of a hill than the alternative route. The traffic-free central section is part of the National Cycle Network spur connecting Bridge of Allan with Doune.

Easy: 6km, moderate ascents.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Blair Atholl Station to Pitlochry Station (Perthshire)

30m direct from Perth.

attractive scenery. A largely flat, mostly riverside route along the Garry and Tummel through the Pass of Killiecrankie, on forest and riverside paths that are part-paved and with just under half on quiet tarmac roads or pavement. Plenty of shade. Some flights of steps. Mostly follows the River Garry and Tummel. The NTS Killiecrankie visitor centre, just off route, makes a worthwhile half-way break. Both ends are on the same bus and train line.

Tough: steep ascents. 13km.

One quiet quarry road has no pavement and may carry quarry lorries on weekdays. An alternative path through woods avoids walking the main road around a blind bend at Killiecrankie.

Lunch: Potential refreshment stop just off route at the NTS Killiecrankie visitor centre, roughly half way.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Carnoustie Station to Arbroath Station (Angus)

45m direct from Perth.

beautiful views; nice views out to sea. An easy, flat walk on unsurfaced hardcore running level alongside the railway for most of the route, with town streets twisting through at each end and nice sea views. Suitable for cycles and wheelchairs and pushchairs. Follows the train line. East Haven has a small beach.

Easy: 11km, gentle ascents.

There is a possibility of flooding at one point, though remedial work has been done and it is fine in most weathers.

End-of-walk reward: the Marcos.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Lochgelly Station to Kirkcaldy Station (Fife)

45m direct from Perth.

A varied rural walk on tracks and paths through fields and woodland, including a picturesque wooded glen and burn and with short pavement sections beside busier roads at each end. Over 90% off-road. Rough and occasionally steep paths. Mostly uses Fife's core paths. Highlights include the late-18th-century designed landscape of Raith Park and the wooded ravines of the Den Burn. No places to eat or buy food between Lochgelly and Kirkcaldy. A bus service runs between the two towns.

12km. Moderate ascents.

One short core-path section involves climbing a very rickety gate wrapped in barbed wire through undergrowth; it can be avoided via a couple of quiet roads.

Lunch: Nowhere to eat en route — pack lunch!

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Kinghorn Station to Kirkcaldy Station (Fife)

45m direct from Perth.

Lovely bit of the Fife Coastal Path. A pleasant, easy-to-follow section of the Fife Coastal Path on hard-packed gravel, with lots of ups and downs and sets of stairs and ending near Kinghorn High Street. A little urban and post-industrial at the Kirkcaldy end. Follows the Fife Coastal Path; check the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust website for diversions.

Tough: steep ascents. 6km.

Lots of ups and downs and several sets of stairs. The Kirkcaldy end needs some redirection, as the road from Abbotshall Road is private with no access to the station; route instead via the war memorial gardens.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Dalgety Bay Station to Burntisland Station (Fife)

45m direct from Perth.

Very nice section of The Fife Coastal Path; a stunning section of the Fife Coast Path. A stunning section of the Fife Coastal Path with good surfaces throughout and minimal gradients and becoming a little industrial on the final approach to Burntisland. The pavement is narrow through Aberdour. Follows the Fife Coastal Path; the journey can be broken at Aberdour (station and buses) or combined with the Inverkeithing to Dalgety Bay route. A little waterfall near Aberdour is worth seeing.

Tough: steep ascents. 10km.

The pavement is narrow through Aberdour.

Lunch: Easy access to facilities along and at either end of the route.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Inverkeithing Station to Dalgety Bay Station (Fife)

1h direct from Perth.

great coastal views throughout; Great views. A pleasant, varied and easily followed coastal walk along the Fife Coastal Path on good tarmac and gravel surfaces, with woodland sections in Dalgety Bay, great views over the Forth and little or no main-road walking. One set of stairs at the Inverkeithing end. Follows the Fife Coastal Path; easy to extend along the coast to North Queensferry or Aberdour. Several seating areas along the way; a small shopping area in Dalgety Bay.

Tough: steep ascents. 5km.

One set of steps at the Inverkeithing end (a short, easy detour avoids them).

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Arbroath Station to Montrose Station (Angus)

45m from Perth, with one change.

breath-taking views along the cliffs. A dramatic clifftop coastal walk on worn-grass and farm tracks (which can be muddy), with sandy beach, pebble-beach and some road sections. Spectacular cliff scenery throughout and with steps and erosion in places. Crosses the Montrose Basin (a notable wildlife site) on the approach to Montrose; nice artworks line the path into town. Optional diversions take in Lunan Bay, Red Castle and Scurdie Ness.

Tough: 31km, steep ascents.

The route runs close to cliff edges where there is some erosion; watch your footing and follow any diversion signs. Some farm-track sections can be muddy.

Lunch stop: the But 'n' Ben.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Falkirk Grahamston Station to Polmont Station (Stirlingshire)

45m from Perth, with one change.

A good route through pedestrianised streets and the delightful old woodlands of Callendar Wood on well-made paths, then a twisty maze of little paths with steps through the Hallglen Estate, before a calm, tarmac towpath along the Union Canal. It finishes on the busy, noisy Station Road into Polmont; some steps and with likely step-free alternatives in Hallglen. Follows the Union Canal towpath. Callendar Wood is an attractive area of old woodland.

7km.

Several flights of stone steps through the Hallglen Estate. At the Redding Industrial Estate the towpath briefly becomes a road open to cars. The turning off the towpath into Polmont is easy to miss. Station Road into Polmont is busy and noisy.

Lunch: Lots of cafes and shops in Falkirk; a small shopping centre with a supermarket in Polmont.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Gilshochill Station to Bishopbriggs Station (Lanarkshire)

1h from Perth, with one change.

A short, simple route through housing estates on the northern edge of Glasgow and with a short muddy section after wet weather and small patches of woodland. An easy alternative avoids the muddy section via Duncryne Place and Brackenbrae Road.

Easy: 4km, moderate ascents.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Ladybank Station to Leven Station (Fife)

30m direct from Perth.

19km. Moderate ascents.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route