Alyth, near Blairgowrie, Perthshire

Alyth Den

Broadleaf woodland

Place photograph

5.2

Wildland

1–2 hours

Time

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Cost

Peaceful

Feel

WoodlandRiversideVillageWalkersWildlife loversDogsPhotographers

Why it's Wildland

5.2

A short woodland escape on the edge of Alyth, where paths follow the burn beneath a canopy of beech and other broadleaf trees. The den is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its varied habitat; red squirrels are a possible sighting, not a guarantee.

Alyth Den earns its place as a compact, wooded riverside walk with more ecological interest than a quick town-side stroll might suggest. The burn, sheltered broadleaf canopy and SSSI habitat give the visit a clear sense of place, while the circuit is short enough to fit into an hour.

Peaceful · Secluded

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Alyth, near Blairgowrie, Perthshire

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The experience

A compact woodland circuit beside Alyth Burn: come for the shaded path and the sound of running water, and take your time among the trees. The standard loop is described as 1.5 miles and around 30–60 minutes, though riverside closures can affect the route.

Things to do

Walk the Alyth Den loop

Follow the short woodland circuit beside Alyth Burn. The listed route is 1.5 miles, with gentle inclines; closures or fallen trees can affect the riverside path.

30–60 minutes

Look out for red squirrels

The Den’s sheltered woodland is noted as a possible place to spot red squirrels. Watch quietly and treat a sighting as a bonus.

Explore Alyth’s historic town centre

Pair the walk with a visit to Alyth’s town centre, where the riverside area and square have information boards about the town, including its packhorse bridge and the Arches.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · Around 30–60 minutes

Quick escape: the Den circuit

01
Start from the small car park described by AllTrails.
02
Follow the woodland trail beside Alyth Burn, taking the loop where paths are open.
03
Allow extra time to turn back or use an alternative if a riverside section is closed.

Half day · Half day

Make a half day of it: woodland and Alyth

01
Walk the Den circuit, checking for current path closures before setting off.
02
Continue into Alyth town for a look at its historic centre and burn-side information boards.
03
Choose a café or other place to eat in town; check current opening details before visiting.

Hidden details

A woodland with SSSI status — The Den is described by Visit Cateran Country as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its varied habitat, sheltered by beech woods.

When to go

September · October · November · Earlier in the day for a quieter-feeling walk; current visitor levels are not confirmed.

A local walking post highlights the Den in autumn colour. The shaded woodland also offers a leafy setting in warmer months, but exact seasonal wildlife or flower peaks are not established by the supplied sources.

Riverside paths may be affected by landslides or fallen trees, and some sections can be closed. Check current conditions before visiting.

The route

ascent: 150 ft
stiles: Check before visiting
surface: Check before visiting
distance: 1.5 miles
duration: 30–60 minutes
difficulty: Easy, with a few gentle inclines
waymarking: Check before visiting
route shape: Loop
start point: Small car park, Alyth Den; exact entrance details should be checked before visiting
parking start: AllTrails describes a small car park at the start; Google’s source row reports wheelchair-accessible parking.
shorter alternative: Turn back along the open section of the burn if closures prevent completing the loop; no measured shorter route is supplied.

Woodland beneath a broadleaf canopy
Alyth Burn
Possible red squirrel sightings

Worth pairing with

Alyth town centre

Pair the woodland walk with Alyth’s historic centre and its burn-side interpretation boards, including details about the packhorse bridge and the Arches.

What to look for

01
Notice the contrast between the burn-side path and the sheltered broadleaf canopy. Watch quietly for red squirrels, which the local tourism source says may be seen here
02
sightings are not guaranteed.

Best time to go

Autumn for woodland colour; spring and summer for a leafy, sheltered walk and the chance of wildlife sightings.

Autumn brings woodland colour. For a quieter-feeling walk, go earlier in the day; no specific quiet-time data is available, so conditions may vary.

How long to spend

1–2 hours

Perfect for

Walkers · Wildlife lovers · Dogs · Photographers

Before you go

Google Maps

Address

Blairgowrie PH11 8JF

Google rating

4.8 · 108 reviews

Practical information

Opening & access

A woodland walk beside Alyth Burn, described by a regional tourism source as within walking distance of Alyth town centre. Google’s source row reports a wheelchair-accessible car park and entrance; check current path conditions before setting out, as sections beside the burn may be closed after landslides or fallen trees.

Check before visiting

Parking

A small car park is reported at the trail start. Google’s source row reports a wheelchair-accessible car park. Check before visiting for current parking arrangements.

Check before visiting

Toilets

Check before visiting

Food & drink

Alyth town has cafés and other places to eat; check current options before visiting.

Check before visiting

Dogs

Visitor reviews describe the walk as dog-friendly, but current rules and lead requirements are not confirmed. Check signage before visiting.

Check before visiting

Accessibility

Google’s source row reports a wheelchair-accessible car park and entrance. Trail conditions and accessibility along the route are not confirmed; the described circuit has gentle inclines, but riverside sections may be affected by closures or fallen trees. Check before visiting.

Check before visiting

Cost

Check before visiting

Water

Alyth Burn