Acharn, near Kenmore and Aberfeldy, Perth and Kinross
Falls of Acharn
route · Waterside walk
Place photograph
7.2
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Check
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
7.2A steep woodland path leads through a dark Hermit’s Cave to a waterfall gorge above Loch Tay, with the upper bridge and viewpoints looking towards Ben Lawers.
The Falls of Acharn turn a short village walk into a small adventure: pass through the Hermit’s Cave, follow the gorge to the upper cascades, then take in the mountain views. It is more atmospheric after rain, but the steep, uneven path calls for care.
Atmospheric · Dramatic · Secluded
Find your way
Open mapAcharn, near Kenmore and Aberfeldy, Perth and Kinross
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Know this place a little better?
The experience
Allow around 40 minutes to an hour for the falls walk, with extra time for the gorge and viewpoints. Expect a steep route and uneven ground in places. Heavy rain makes the falls more impressive; take care on wet paths.
Things to do
Walk through the Hermit’s Cave
Enter the dark cave and pass through it to reach the wooded amphitheatre and viewpoint for the lower falls.
Follow the gorge to the upper falls
Follow the signed route from the lower-falls viewpoint towards the upper gorge, its viewing platform and the upper bridge.
Look north towards Ben Lawers
From the viewpoint, look towards Drummond Hill above Kenmore and the Ben Lawers range.
Watch for woodland wildlife
In summer, look and listen for siskins in the surrounding woodland; the local tourism source also mentions red squirrels and the possibility of pine martens.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Around 40 minutes–1 hour
Quick Escape: Cave and Falls
- 01
Start from Acharn village and follow the uphill route towards the falls.
- 02
Pass through the Hermit’s Cave to reach the viewpoint for the lower falls.
- 03
Follow the signs towards the upper gorge and return by the described route.
Half day · Allow a half day, including time to pause at the falls and viewpoints.
Make a Half Day of It: Follow the Gorge
- 01
Walk from Acharn village to the Hermit’s Cave and lower-falls viewpoint.
- 02
Continue along the signed route to the upper gorge, viewing platform and upper bridge.
- 03
Pause for the views towards Drummond Hill and Ben Lawers, then retrace or complete the local circuit as conditions and route signage allow.
Verified history
The supplied Visit Aberfeldy account describes a Hermit’s Cave on the route and viewing points at the lower and upper falls. The supplied material does not establish a date for the cave or verify its historical use.
Folklore & legend
A supplied Tripadvisor description says local tradition links the Hermit’s Cave with visitors including William Wordsworth and Robert Burns. Treat this as local tradition, not verified fact.
Hidden details
The cave is part of the route — The Hermit’s Cave is not just a nearby curiosity: the described walk passes through it before reaching the lower-falls viewpoint.
A waterfall with a changing character — The local tourism source recommends visiting after heavy rain, when the burn is in full spate; it also notes mosses and algae on the stone slopes.
When to go
· No specific time of day is established by the supplied sources.
The supplied local tourism source says the falls are most impressive after heavy rainfall and notes summer woodland wildlife. Exact peak months are not established.
The approach is steep in places and has been described as uneven. Rain can make the falls fuller but may also make the route slippery; check conditions and take care.
The route
- surface
- Farm track and woodland path; uneven sections reported. Other surface details are not confirmed.
- distance
- A supplied guide gives the falls as approximately 0.4 miles from Acharn; another supplied source describes a short 2 km circuit. These figures may describe different route extents.
- duration
- Around 40 minutes–1 hour for the falls walk, according to a supplied guide.
- difficulty
- Steep in places; uneven sections reported.
- waymarking
- Follow signs towards the upper gorge, according to Visit Aberfeldy.
- route shape
- A short circuit is described by one supplied source; confirm the intended route and current signage locally.
- start point
- Acharn village
- parking start
- Parking details are not established by the supplied sources; check before visiting.
- Hermit’s Cave
- Lower Falls viewpoint
- Upper gorge and viewing platform
- Upper bridge
- Views towards Drummond Hill and Ben Lawers
What to look for
The dark passage through the Hermit’s Cave, the lower falls framed by the wooded gorge, the upper viewing platform and bridge, and views towards Ben Lawers.
The story
Hermit’s Cave; local tradition associates the cave with visitors including William Wordsworth and Robert Burns, but this is not verified here.
Best time to go
After heavy rainfall for fuller falls; summer for woodland birds and wildlife.
Visit after heavy rainfall if you want the burn in full spate. In summer, the surrounding woodland is noted for siskins and other wildlife.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · Wildlife lovers
Route at a glance
Duration
1–2 hours
Terrain
Woodland, Valley
Parking / start
Check before visiting; parking arrangements are not confirmed by the supplied sources.
Before you go
Address
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
A signed walk from Acharn village leads to the falls via steep sections, a Hermit’s Cave and viewing platforms. Check local conditions and access before setting out.
Check before visiting
Parking
Check before visiting; parking arrangements are not confirmed by the supplied sources.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Dogs
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Accessibility
Not wheelchair accessible according to the supplied Google listing. The described walk is steep in places; a source also reports uneven sections.
Cost
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Water
Waterfall
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Falls of Acharn
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
