Beautiful Blairgowrie Walks
The Blairgowrie and Dunkeld area offers an exceptional variety of local walks, ranging from gentle riverside paths to longer woodland and hill routes that showcase the best of Perthshire’s landscapes. Whether you’re looking for a short leg‑stretch close to town or a more immersive day out, the network of trails here is easy to access and rich in scenery. Blairgowrie’s routes follow the River Ericht and weave through peaceful woodland, while Dunkeld offers classic Perthshire Forest walks, lochside paths, and viewpoints over the surrounding hills.
Many of the Blairgowrie walks are well‑maintained and suitable for most abilities, making this a great base for guests who want to explore at their own pace. From bluebell woods and historic bridges to open moorland and quiet glens, the area provides a wide range of options for relaxed strolls, family outings, and rewarding half‑day adventures.
The Cateran Trail
The Cateran Trail is one of the most loved long-distance walks in Blairgowrie. This fully waymarked, 64‑mile circular trail winds through Perthshire and the Angus Glens, offering moderate, rolling terrain that’s ideal for walkers of all experience levels. Recognised as one of Scotland’s Great Trails, it showcases a beautiful mix of farmland, forest, and heather moorland.
Most walkers complete the route in 5–6 days, starting and finishing in Blairgowrie. The trail is accessible year‑round, and Blairgowrie makes an excellent base if you prefer not to camp each night.
Typical stages of the Cateran Trail:
Day 1: Blairgowrie → Kirkmichael
Day 2: Kirkmichael → Spittal of Glenshee
Day 3: Spittal of Glenshee → Kirkton of Glenisla
Day 4: Kirkton of Glenisla → Alyth
Day 5: Alyth → Blairgowrie
The Loch Ordie Walk (or bike)
The Loch Ordie circular walk is a brilliant way to experience some of Perthshire’s most scenic views. Starting from the Cally car park just above Dunkeld, the full loop is around 10 miles, so it’s worth giving yourself plenty of time to enjoy it at a relaxed pace.
The route takes you along forest roads, past quiet lochans, and out across open moorland before reaching Loch Ordie itself. The elevation is gentle throughout, making it accessible for most walkers. When you arrive at the loch, you’re rewarded with a wide, peaceful view that feels genuinely breathtaking.
The Kitty Swanson Bridge Walk
The Kitty Swanson Bridge walk is an enjoyable walk that is about 5 miles long in total, starting and finishing in the centre of Blairgowrie. The loop will take you along either side of the river Erict, with Kitty Swanson bridge serving as your halfway point. The route is very gentle and offers some great views of the river and if you are lucky some impressive wildlife too.
The Kinclaven Bluebell Woods Walk
Kinclaven Bluebell Woods is a beautiful ancient oak woodland near Murthly in Perthshire, that is particularly vibrant in May when the Blubells are in full bloom, carpeting the forest floor a blue colour. However, the circular walk is lovely during any season of the year. It is about 2.5 miles in total, which makes it an easy family walk. The walk has a couple of added routes to it if you want to extend your walk a little.
Munros Near Blairgowrie
From Blairgowrie you have a couple of choices if you want to find the nearest Munros to climb, you can either head up the A93 towards Glenshee, where you can find a number of Munros in the Eastern side of the Cairngorm National Park, or you can head up the A9 towards Pitlochry and Blair Atholl where you can find some fantastic choices to climb on the Southern edge of the Cairngorm National Park. Alternatively, for a gentler day you can give Ben Vrackie a go, which is classed as a Corbett (between 2500 ft and 3000 ft) at 2759 ft. It is located just above Pitlochry and has a fantastic pub at the bottom too.