Falls of Acharn and Kenmore Hill – Highland Perthshire

This fine outing combines two excellent objectives above the shores of the wonderful Loch Tay. First, you explore the ravine of the Falls of Acharn, with its beguiling ‘Hermit’s Cave’ – a human-made stone cave built in Victorian times as a viewpoint for the cascade. Then, you contour the hillside and ascend to Kenmore Hill, for splendid views across towards the Lawers Group and pointy Schiehallion.

You start from the parking at Taymouth Marina and take the minor road along the loch shore to the southwest. Once you reach the village of Acharn, follow signs for the ‘Falls of Acharn’ and ascend, with excellent views across Loch Tay at your back.

Eventually, the path leads to the Hermit’s Cave, which was built in the 1760s by the 3rd Earl of Breadalbane as a dramatic way to show visitors the waterfall. Take a left to find a balcony and enjoy the view across to the 66-foot (20 m) cascade. Exit the cave and pick up the path once more, before crossing the Acharn Burn to another impressive viewpoint.

You leave the waterfall behind, as the path turns left across the hillside, tracing its contours to the northeast, towards Kenmore Hill. All of this is part of the Rob Roy Way long-distance footpath, but you leave this behind to follow a path that ascends to the summit through some newly planted woodland.

Kenmore Hill, or Creag an Fhùdair in Gaelic, is a glorious viewpoint for the massive bulk of the Lawers Group to the west across Loch Tay and north to iconic Schiehallion. The best views are not from the actual summit but from a cairn on the main path, though it’d be rude to come this far and not claim the summit as well.

Descend to the northeast on a snaking path that takes you back to the Rob Roy Way, which makes use of a minor road. Turn left and follow the road back down to the shore of Loch Tay before making your way back to the start point.