One of the most popular hills for beginners and families, Dumyat by Stirling has a great path to the top and is perfect for those new to hillwalking in Scotland. Here is how to climb Dumyat.
How to climb Dumyat, Stirling
Dumyat hill or Dunmyat (pronounced like the gealic would be spoken – Dùn Mhèad – Dum-aye-at) is one my favourite wee hills in Scotland. Great for beginners, kids, pups and the whole family, a walk up the hill path is a great way to spend an afternoon, or evening.
The smallest of the Ochills, with wonderful views reaching across The Ochils, Fife and Stirling, the Wallace Monument, Perthshire and the Lothians to much bigger hills beyond. At just 418 metres, the walk has one of the best views in Scotland for very little effort.
…and as you can see a perfect first hill walk for Hugo the LFS pup!
There are two routes up – the hill path from Sheriffmuir and the Pendreich forestry car park or the steeper but shorter route from Blairlogie. The most popular route is the hill path which is a slow and steady climb up to the two summits – Castle Law and Dumyat hill. The walk is signposted from the Pendriech car park.
On the top of Dumyat hill are a number of memorials – including one to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and the famous cairn its beacon filled with stones. The beacon was commissioned for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977 and was lit as part of the celebration.
More hills for beginners in Scotland
How long does it take to climb Dumyat hill?
It will take around 2 hours to climb depending on your fitness. The hill path is the steadier climb of the two routes up the hill.
Best time to climb Dumyat Stirling?
Dumyat is a good hill to climb at any time of the year. As with all hills, it is worth climbing on a good day for the views and you need specialist equipment in snow and ice. You can check the weather forecast for the Ochils:
- MWIS (South Eastern Highlands)
- The Met Office Mountain Weather (South Grampian and South East)
- Mountain Forecast
Dumyat route maps
- OS You will need Explorer 366: The Ochils and Stirling
- Walkhighlands have a Dumyat Route Map
How hard is it to climb Dumyat?
Climbing Dumyat is an easier climb than most hills in Scotland, but it is always worth being prepared for bad weather with good shoes and wet weather gear. If you haven’t hill walked before, have a look at my beginners guide to hillwalking in Scotland.
How to get to Dumyat / parking at Dumyat
Dumyat is a very popular hill and on a good day spots at Sheriffmuir and the Pendreich forestry car park and at the start of the hill path fill up quickly. FK9 4LS is the nearest postcode for the car park.
Parking at the Pendreich car park is free.
There is also a car park at Blairlogie. Don’t park in the passing places if you can’t find a spot. The route up to the hill is a single track road and parking is in short supply. Hold ups and traffic jams are common, so go early or go late to miss the traffic!
FAQs
How long does it take to climb Ben Vorlich at Loch Earn?
With a reasonable level of fitness, the walk up Ben Vorlich takes around 4–5 hours. The drive from Edinburgh or Glasgow is around 1.5 hours depending on traffic.
How high is Ben Vorlich at Loch Earn?
Ben Vorlich at Loch Earn is 985m (3,231ft) high. There is a trig point at the summit and a cairn a little further along the ridge.
How hard is Ben Vorlich at Loch Earn to climb?
Ben Vorlich is one of the best Munros for beginners — it has a clear, well-made path to the summit making it one of the more straightforward climbs. However it is still a Munro, so you need proper hill walking gear and should be prepared for weather to change very quickly. Mist, fog and rain can sweep in rapidly.
When is the best time to climb Ben Vorlich?
May and September offer the best weather conditions in Scotland. Always check the forecast before heading out via MWIS (South Eastern Highlands), the Met Office Mountain Weather, or Mountain Forecast. Ben Vorlich is a very popular hill — arrive early on good weather days as the lochside parking fills up quickly.
Where do you park for Ben Vorlich at Loch Earn?
Parking is informal alongside Loch Earn beside the small bridge over the Ardvorlich burn. There is no dedicated car park. On busy days the single track road gets congested and parking is in short supply — go early to get a spot and never park in passing places.
Is there another Ben Vorlich in Scotland?
Yes — there are two mountains called Ben Vorlich in Scotland. This one is at Loch Earn in Perthshire and is the closest Munro to Edinburgh. The other Ben Vorlich is at Loch Lomond and is significantly steeper. Make sure you’re heading to the right one when planning your route.
Love, from Scotland x
