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WALK 2B

Dumyat Hill

Start	Menstrie (GR851971)
Distance	6km
Total Ascent	403m
Grade	2
Time	1hr 50min
Maps	OS Landranger 57 (1:50,000) OS Landranger 58 (1:50,000) OS Explorer 366 (1:25,000) Harvey's Map – Ochil Hills (1:25,000)

An ambling and gradual route that follows the verdant and tranquil Menstrie Glen behind the back of Dumyat for the least busy ascent of the hill.

From the A91 at the west end of Menstrie, take Park Road, turning at the Holly Tree pub. As the road curves around to the right (away from the scout hut) park near the line of cottages.

At the end of the cottages a track heads towards the start of the hill, with a sign marking footpath on the wooden telephone pole. Cross here at the stile and follow the broad farm track, passing over a metal stile at the first loop in the track. Stay on this track as it somewhat tediously loops its way higher then contours parallel to Menstrie Burn.

At GR848974 leave the main farm track and continue along the grassy path that remains parallel to Menstrie Burn. After approximately 600m through bracken and gorse bushes, on the narrow but distinct path, go through the farm gate and cross the burn on the footbridge 200m further on. The path then descends amongst hazel trees to run by the side of the burn, crossing footbridges at the Second, then Third Ichna Burns. This section of the walk is perhaps the most pleasant, particularly in summer months when the sound of the slow-moving burn and the lush greenery of trees and bracken create a really tranquil environment.

At the Third Ichna Burn, pass through the metal gate, but ignore the obvious route across the wooden footbridge over the Menstrie Burn, instead heading right and uphill on an indistinct track that leads into a grassy pasture with pleasant views back to the burn. As the path becomes less distinct and eventually fades completely, head towards the gate at the bottom end of the drystone dyke, now directly in view. Pass through the small gate and keep to the line of the fence on the left for 200m as it moves gradually uphill into another open meadow.

A line of trees at the end of the field comes into view with a ruined building at the top. Stay in the bottom third of the field and continue along to the line of trees to reach a metal gate at a stone bridge. Cross through the gate and over the bridge, at which point some care should be taken, as some of the wooden sleepers on the bridge are rather decayed.

After the bridge an obvious track loops around the ruins of a building to soon reach the crossing point at Loss Burn just below the reservoir. The track widens after the burn and ascends past the reservoir in the direction of Dumyat. Continue to head in the direction of the summit, leaving the track as it bends, moving onto the vague grassy path, which, while indistinct, can be followed all the way to the top.

The view towards the verdant Menstrie Glen

Descend the summit via the same route as A, above, until you reach a farm track just after the fenced water-drainage area. At this point cross the track to pass over the stile diagonally opposite and continue descending on the clear path for another 5 minutes before reaching the metal gate and concrete steps that lead back on to the road. Turn left and pass the scout hut to return to the cottages and the start of the walk.