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Wild Scotland on your doorstep, with trails to fantastic views, amazing wildlife and remarkable history

Carron Valley

Come and get active at Carron Valley

Get a taste of the Highlands in this rolling forest on the shores of the Carron Valley reservoir. Enjoy an easy waterside stroll or family cycle ride, a blast through the forest by mountain bike or tackle the distinctive peak of the Meikle Bin for panoramic views over central Scotland.

These woods are alive with wildlife and history – discover standing stones, old drove roads and a reconstructed Iron Age fort, spot red squirrels and crossbills in the trees and watch for ospreys and waterbirds from the lochside hide.

You can download our Carron Valley Walking Trails leaflet (PDF 6MB) or Carron Valley Mountain Biking leaflet (PDF 1.45 MB) to help explore the area.

Notice

  • The top section of Eas Dubh mountain bike trail is closed this week to allow for safe removal of trees. For your safety please follow all on site safety signage.
  • We will be commencing  tree felling operations in Carron Valley towards the end of November. This work is expected to take  up to 6 weeks to complete and may result in  a number of road closures, and closure of the mountain bike trails at a number of points. All closures will be clearly marked with diversion signposts and we would ask all visitors to ensure they adhere to all redirection signs, to ensure their safety, whilst forest operations progress. We do apologies for any inconvenience this essential work may cause you.
Parking (charge) Picnic area Walking Viewpoint

Life’s essentials

There are toilets in the main car park, including accessible facilities, which are open year-round. Find places to eat, drink and shop at the nearby towns of Fintry, Denny and Kilsyth.

Parking and picnicking

Car parking at Carron Valley is available all year round. Stroll across the little bridge beside the car park to reach a pretty picnic spot on a grassy island in the Carron River. There is also a small car park at the other end of the reservoir called Todholes.

Car parking charges

Please note, parking charges are as follows:

£1 for up to 1 hour

£2 for up to 3 hours

£3 for all day

£12 for minibus and coach all day

Season passes are also available. For more information please contact us.

Walking trails


Loch Shore Trail

A scenic trail alongside Carron Valley Reservoir with play features, picnic spots and some wonderful views. Ideal for a family stroll or cycle ride.

Firm gravel surface throughout, with some loose and uneven sections. Several short fairly steep slopes with plenty of resting places. Includes a section of boardwalk. Parts may be slightly muddy.

Moderate

2 ¾ miles /
4.5 km
Allow
1½ hours

More information...

Cycling trails


Mountain biking trails

The top section of Eas Dubh mountain bike trail is closed this week to allow for safe removal of trees. For your safety please follow all on site safety signage.


The Red Route

Red: DifficultRed: Difficult - 5.0 miles / 8.0 km

Singletrack heaven and packed with variety. Remember to catch your breath at the top and admire the stunning views before the great Eas Dubh (Black Waterfall) descent and sweeping Cannonball Run.  

Up for an airy finish? The Runway is a fast flowing freeride descent, packed with features: berms, jumps, stone drop-offs and table-tops. 

 More information...

Watching wildlife at Carron Valley

A host of iconic Scottish species make their home in this forest, including Scottish crossbills, red deer and red squirrels, as well as elusive pine martens and wildcats. In summer, watch out for butterflies in woodland glades, dragonflies near the water’s edge and ospreys fishing for trout and powan in the reservoir. Greylag geese can be seen here year-round and, if you are very lucky, you might spot a hen harrier overhead or glimpse a black grouse in a grassy clearing. There are hides along the reservoir ideal for bird watching.

Fishing on the reservoir

Carron Valley reservoir is one of the most scenic trout fisheries in Scotland. Stocked rainbow trout and wild brown trout swim in the reservoir, which was built in the 1930s and is cared for today by Scottish Water. For more information, and to buy permits for bank and boat fishing, contact Carron Valley Fishery.

Heading for the hill

The distinctive peak of Meikle Bin looms above the forest. It’s a steep climb up through the woods and onto the open hill to reach the summit, but if you’re fit and prepared, well worth it for the views. For the quickest way onto the hill, park at the western end of the reservoir. Be aware that the route is not waymarked, so you need to take a map and know how to use it. Remember that even in summer the weather can change very quickly here, so be prepared.

Mountain biking at Carron Valley

Fast, fun and purpose-built for year round use – the Carron Valley mountain bike trails are guaranteed to bring you back for more. There’s 5miles/8km of red-grade trail here. Click the Bike tab to find out more.

History comes alive at Carron Valley

This landscape is rich in history. Explore the forest with a map to find standing stones, old cattle drove roads and fisher paths. Near the western end of the reservoir, you’ll find the remains of the 13th century fort of John de Graham of Dundaff, who fought alongside William Wallace.

History is literally alive in the forest too – the Clanranald Trust is constructing a full-scale replica medieval village in the woods, called Duncarron. They often host costumed re-enactments, music events and exciting living history events but the construction site is closed to visitors otherwise. Look out for news of the next event here.

Contact: Scottish Lowlands Forest District

Address: Five Sisters House, Five Sisters Business Park, West Calder

Postcode: EH55 8PN

Telephone: 0300 067 6700

Email: scottishlowlands@forestry.gsi.gov.uk


How to get here

Take the B818 west from Denny, signposted to Fintry. The car park is on the left after about 6 miles (10km), at grid reference NS 721 848.

There is also a small parking area at Todholes at the other end of the reservoir.

Using SatNav?

FK6 5JL is the nearest postcode for the main car park.

Nearby places

Callendar Wood is over 500 years old, and full of fascinating historic features. Larbert Woods is a peaceful green space and wildlife haven on an historic estate; an ideal place for an easy stroll at any time of the year. At Nethercroy you’ll find lovely wildflower meadows, open woodland and a Roman frontier above the Forth & Clyde Canal.


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For questions and complaints, please contact us directly.