Climb Dumyat
A good introduction to hill-walking for anyone who's unsure about the whole thing is to head up Dumyat (Dum-aye-at)in the Ochils.
It's at the Western end of the range and is a bit of a postcard favourite - you usually see it in the same picture as the Wallace Monument, which sits on Abbey Craig. Dumyat's not a Munro, in fact at 1371 feet it's not even close. But it's a decent walk for all abilities.
There are various approaches. Most people drive up the Sheriffmuir Road behind Stirling University (which takes you a fair bit up the hill before you even start) and take the gentle slope to the top. Those who want to climb the whole height of the hill can go up Menstrie Glen from the east, which is mostly gentle but steepens up a little towards the top. The third way, and at one time the most popular, is to follow the gully straight up the south face. I haven't done this one, but I'm told it's fairly easy as long as you don't head up Raeburn's Gully (the first possible detour on this route) which is for serious rock-climbers only. Apparently Siart Gully and subsequent detours you'll discover on this route are progressively easier.
The Sheriffmuir route in particular is a great introduction to walking, as it's not particularly hard work, the terrain is kind, and you can be up and back in an hour or so. And you still get the great view over the Forth, over Stirling, and over the rest of the Ochils.
It's at the Western end of the range and is a bit of a postcard favourite - you usually see it in the same picture as the Wallace Monument, which sits on Abbey Craig. Dumyat's not a Munro, in fact at 1371 feet it's not even close. But it's a decent walk for all abilities.
There are various approaches. Most people drive up the Sheriffmuir Road behind Stirling University (which takes you a fair bit up the hill before you even start) and take the gentle slope to the top. Those who want to climb the whole height of the hill can go up Menstrie Glen from the east, which is mostly gentle but steepens up a little towards the top. The third way, and at one time the most popular, is to follow the gully straight up the south face. I haven't done this one, but I'm told it's fairly easy as long as you don't head up Raeburn's Gully (the first possible detour on this route) which is for serious rock-climbers only. Apparently Siart Gully and subsequent detours you'll discover on this route are progressively easier.
The Sheriffmuir route in particular is a great introduction to walking, as it's not particularly hard work, the terrain is kind, and you can be up and back in an hour or so. And you still get the great view over the Forth, over Stirling, and over the rest of the Ochils.
Location(s)
- Menstrie
- Causewayhead