Glen Sherup loop
Length
16 Kms
Elevation gain
623.5 m
Max elevation
636.7 m
Difficulty
****
Rating
****
Type
Loop
Route id
543
Main road
0 Kms
Country road
0.6 Kms
Dirt road
3.3 Kms
Dirt path
0 Kms
Trail
12.2 Kms
1
0
Be warned that this route has a lot of climb in it at almost
635 m
elevation gain. However, the views are spectacular if you
can manage it.
From the car park follow the small path behind the information signs up through the trees. This joins the main forest road after about
300 m
and you start the long climb on this road up to about the 3.5 Kms
mark. At that point you have to take the path following the
fire break. This is marked on the left by a little sign and on the right by a small cairn. The path through the fire break is wide, muddy in parts
and actually makes for a good running surface.
The end of this section is marked by a gate. Once through follow the faint grassy path directly on the right, don't follow the markers
at this point. You now have what feels like a long run to the top of Innerdwonie. It is less than
2 Kms
but the uphill makes it
feel longer. The views if there is no mist are brilliant.
A small hole in the wall lets you visit the first of the cairns. Keep on the grassy track with the wall and fence on your right hand side. Another
2 Kms
or so takes you to the top of Whitewisp Hill. If you look back you will see that you have actually had a bit of downhill before
the climbing started but it doesn't feel like that. Here and at most parts of this route you are out in the open, so take special care
when choosing your day to run this. There are no hiding places.
From Whitewisp Hill to the next summit of Tarmangie Hill is not too bad and the ground makes for good running even if a little boggy
in places. After Tarmangie we have less than
4 Kms
to the top of Ben Shee. This is mostly easy running apart from the short sharp
ascent for the last 500 m
. Again the views can be stunning.
Once past Ben Shee it is mostly downhill. After last style of the run at
13.7 Kms
turn sharp right. Do not follow the main path, but keep to
short grassy path that stays very close to the fence. This path quickly drops you down onto the small tarred road leading to the dam. Follow the
road up to and over the dam.
At the dam a gate on the left lets you access the path across the dam. Once across a short uphill path takes you back onto the forest
road from the car park. From here a short downhill back to the car park.
Route directions
Kms
1
Large free car park. Take path behind the notice boards which joins the main forest path after 300m.
0
2
Take the path to the right marked by a small cairn. Fire path clearing. See the pictures.
2.9
3
Through the metal gate and follow the path alongside the fence. Dont follow the path markers.
3.2
4
Dont go over the style...like we did. Opps
3.9
5
Follow the path at the right. Fainter outline of a path heading to top.
4.4
6
The first summit. Innerdownie
4.6
7
Path is visible but grassy
4.6
8
Over the ladder style.. or just go through the gate which is easier.
6.6
9
Another summit. Whitewisp Hill. Turn right following the path
6.8
10
Go through the gate in the wall
7.9
11
Another summit. Tarmangie Hill
8.1
12
Follow the path as it veers to the right but stays close to the fence.
8.1
13
Through the large gate
8.7
14
Keep on the main path, though it can get boggy
9.1
15
Keep on main path slightly to left
11
16
Following signs for Ben Shee
11.3
17
Up the small grassy path to the summit. Check the pictures for a look at the path.
11.6
18
Ben Shee summit. We took the left path off the hill, there are three all faint at the start.
11.8
19
Turn right when you rejoin main path that is heading down hill
12.1
20
Turn sharp right after the gate. Keep close to fence. Path is faint here and is slippy grass when wet.
13.7
21
Turn right on the single track tarred road
13.9
22
Left through the gate, over the dam wall
14.5
23
Throught the gate and up the hill
14.8
24
Turn left onto the forest road
14.8
25
Back down the small path on your left
15.7
26
Back to the car park
16
Car park area
The welcome sign on the main road.
Car park area
Large parking area
Car park area
Information sign
Car park area
Welcome to Glen Devon
Car park area
Wooden sign
Car park area
Path to follow from the car park
Car park area
Larger forest path
Car park area
The small river Devon
Car park area
River Devon beside the car park
Reservoir sign post
Stay on forest road at this point.
First climb
Looking back towards the windmills
A key turning
Note the small cairn on the right marking the route
A key turning
Truning into the fire break
A key turning
View of the path inside the fire break
First gate
Follow the faint path on the right just after this gate.
Start of open climb
A wee seat in case you need it.
Start of open climb
View down the hill
Start of open climb
View up the hill
Style area
Do not cross this one, keep the fence to your right.
Style area
Looking back
Innerdownie
Take path towards the top on the right
Innerdownie
The mist is coming in
Innerdownie
Almost a view behind the cairn
Innerdownie
No view this way
Innerdownie
The path to the next summit
Throught the gate
A style and a gate. The gate is easier.
Throught the gate
View back down the hill
Throught the gate
View down the hill towards the river Forth
Whitewisp hill
Cairn with more cloud
Towards the next hill
Path is faint but easy enough to follow
Towards the next hill
Low cloud above
Tarmangie hill
Another cairn. Lots of stone in this place
Tarmangie hill
The view behind the cairn is almost there
Tarmangie hill
Path ahead
Tarmangie hill
The cairn on Tarmangie
Large gate
Through the gate then off to the right
Path towards Ben Shee
Dramatic skyline
Path towards Ben Shee
Cloud base is starting to rise
Path towards Ben Shee
The path is faint and can get muddy
Ben Shee ahead
The last of the climbs ahead
Follow the signs
Only 500m to the top
Small path to summit
Take the small grassy and steep path on the right
Ben Shee
From the top
Ben Shee
No cairn on Ben Shee
Back towards Ben Shee
Looking back at the last climb
Last style
Once over this take a sharp right keeping the fence close
Small road to the dam
Over the cattle grid heading towards the dam.
Dam information sign
Useful information
Reservoir area
View across the reservoir
Reservoir area
Reservoir
Reservoir area
View back from the dam
Reservoir area
Looking down the glen from the dam
Reservoir area
At the far side of the dam
Reservoir area
Take the path straight up the hill, though this path joins up after a short distance