The Red Squirrel Walk is through open pine woodland where there is every chance of seeing red squirrels. It follows a path with a good surface with only one or two uneven stretches. There are several short slopes on the circuit around the loch, as steep as 19% (1:5) for 10m but the picnic area can be reached without passing the worst of the gradients. The start of the walk is in the car parking area on the A985 between Dunfermline and Kincardine at Ordnance Survey Grid Reference NS 964 870

Surveyed by: . Fieldfare, July 2010 (Summer)
Accessibility Rating: 3
Distance: 2.0 km

Full Profile

The start of the walk is in the car parking area off the A985 at Ordnance Survey Grid Reference NS 964 870

The car parking area is marked by the Devilla Forestry Commission signs.

The surface of the car parking area (OS grid ref NS 964 870) is of crushed stone and may have puddles after wet weather.The walks starts by the green barrier at the back of the car park.

The gap is more than 1200mm wide .

Take the first left after about 30m from the entrance

The path is wide enough for two people to walk side by side throughout its length. It surface is of crushed stone and is uneven for only a few shiort sections.

There is a small perch at the start of the board walk.

The board walk provides a viewing area over the pond and wetalnd as well as providing a bridge over the wet ground.

The board walk provides a bridge over the wet ground.

There is a 30mm step coming off the end of the boardwalk.

There is a 10m slope with a gradient of about 13% (1:8)

The slope through the avenue of trees has a gradient of about 8% (1:12) for about 70m.

At the first junction turn left to follow the trail anitclockwise around the pond.

There is a 10m slope with a gradient of 13% (1:8) leading to the first picnic bench. This is the first of eight seats around the pond loop. Check out the tags on the map to see hpow they are spaced out.

Here the path has a gradient that was sampled at 17% (1:6) for a short distance.

There may be a few areas where the surface is covered by larger or loose stones but it remains firm throughout.

By the second seat there is a slope with a gradient of about 12% (1:8) for 30m or so.

Just after the bend the slope is steeper at 19% (1:5) for 5m.

This seat provides another rest point along the slopes on this section of the trail.

This slope has a gradient of 20% (1:5) for about 10m.

There is another seat at the top of the slopes where the path stops climbing

The path levels off at this point

This picnic table provides fine views over the forth Valley. It is close to some features of interest associated with the Battle of Bordie

There are some uneven sections of the path in this area.

There is a slope of 12% (1:8) for about 10m

The path surface is a little uneven at the path junction. Turn right to follow the path to continue round the pond and back towards the car park.

There are some more small uneven areas on the path surface.

This is the first of four picnic tables with good views of this side of the pond.

Three of the pcinic benches are quite close together.

Three of the pcinic benches are quite close together.

There is a slope with a gradient of 15% (1:7) for about 35m.

A scuplture marks the point where you have nearly completed the loop around the pond.

At the junction go straight ahead and follow the path you came on back to the car park. Turn right at the T-junction at the end of this path and you are about 30m from the car park.

There are occasional signs giving information about the wood and its walks.

Some of the signs provided information on the history of the area.

There pleasant views across the pond from sseveral points around the trail.

The standard stone is a short way from the picnic table but over difficult ground.

An information sign near the picnic table provides more information.

This narrow path leads to the view point and towards the runins of Bordie Castle.

The pulpit stone is another feature of interest with an accompanying information board.

The pulpit stone is another feature of interest with an accompanying information board.