Scotland is a walking enthusiasts’ dream location, with so many incredible walks and trails available throughout the Scottish Highlands. The Birks of Aberfeldy is a circular walking route that explores mature mixed woodland areas just to the west of Aberfeldy. The picturesque trail is a fairly modest hike that is suited to most abilities and offers some wonderful scenery and nature along the way.
Originally named the Dens of Moness, the route was renamed after the birks from the Scots for birch trees. Overlooking the Falls of Moness and lining the slopes of the Moness gorge, this walking trail is not one to be missed on a visit to Perthshire.
The Birks of Aberfeldy is a 1.5-mile circular walking route and is well suited to all walking abilities. On the way, you will experience a series of stunning hanging waterfalls through the beautiful woodlands.
To reach the Birks of Aberfeldy, you can walk from the town centre of Aberfeldy or drive and park in the car park, which is just one mile from the town centre. The route you take is circular, so you can choose to go either clockwise or anticlockwise, but in our opinion, the clockwise option offers the best views. If you pick this route, you should be aware that the steepest climb is going up a large number of steps, so if you want an easier walk then anti-clockwise might be the better choice.
The Birks of Aberfeldy is one of the most photographed sites in the whole of Perthshire. It was made famous by Robert Burns, Scotland’s national bard, who wrote the poem ‘The Birks o’Aberfeldie’ when he was touring the area back in 1787. In 1968, the Lower and Upper Birks, along with the Moness burn was gifted to the community by Millicent Frances Haggart. It was to be maintained as ‘a public park to be used as a pleasure ground of place of public resort and recreation’. The area is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of its unique botanical plant life.