In this part of Scotland good things come in small packages. None more so than Benarty, a distinctive mountain in miniature that stands alone, rising steeply over the Loch Leven basin to offer wide-ranging views. As hillwalks go this one's short, easy, family-friendly and very accessible - but it's still a varied and worthwhile trip.
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Detailed description
1
NT1589296974 An engineered path signposted for Benarty climbs steeply into the trees. At a junction go left onto a forestry track, which soon dwindles to a footpath winding through pretty wooodland. At the upper edge of the woods cross a low fence and follow the continuing trail on a long gradual ascent over rolling moorland to reach the trig point on Benarty's main summit. The best view is just a bit further towards the edge of the steep escarpment overlooking Loch Leven (incidentally, there's some limited rock climbing here - but it's pretty poor).
2
NT1538297908 Go west following a wall-and-fence line along the broad undulating ridge crest. Beyond a dip is a short sharp climb onto a slightly lower summit. Here step over a low wall and continue west along the ridge to the far west summit overlooking the M90.
3
NT1420997664 Descend along the edge of the steep slope overlooking the motorway. Signposts here warn of a rifle range on the hillside below; keep left of them. Stay outside a small wood, following a fence to a gate in a muddy field corner. In the next field pass a telecom mast to meet a grassy vehicle track. This curves downhill through pastures to rejoin the road at a gate. Turn left onto this to return to the start.
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Difficulty: EasyDistance: 3.26 miles (5.25 km)
Total ascent: 229m
Time: 1:30 – 3 hours (Walking)
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Additional Information
Start/Finish:Layby on minor road to Ballingry (limited parking), NT158970
Nearest town:
Ballingry, Kelty, Dunfermline, Glenrothes - take your pick
Terrain:
Easy grassy hillwalking - not too boggy, not too steep. Navigation is straightforward.
Seasonal variations:
Makes a nice snowy hill stroll in the short days of winter. Dog walkers should be aware that there may be livestock about.
Weather and Hill Conditions: mwis: Cairngorms & Monadhliath
Public transport:
Buses from Dunfermline, Glenrothes and Kirkcaldy to Lochore/Ballingry, then a stroll through Lochore Meadows Country Park or along the road at the base of Benarty Hill
Guidebooks:
Kingdom of Fife, 40 Coast & Country Walks by Dan Bailey, pb Pocket Mountains http://www.pocketmountains.com/product/kingdom-of-fife
Maps:
OS Explorer 367 (1:25,000), OS Explorer 369 (1:25,000), OS Landranger 58 (1:50,000) Directory Listings:
Find more Listings near this route Tourist info:
Dunfermline (01383 720 999); Kirkcaldy (01592 267 775); Visit Scotland Fife (01334 472021)
Further Routes
by Dan Bailey UKH
- Meall na Teanga & Sron a' Choire Ghairbh - The Loch Lochy Munros 6 Nov, 2023
- Bynack More 19 Oct, 2023
- Beinn a' Mhuinidh 4 Oct, 2023
- Loch Ossian round - Seven Munros by Train 15 Sep, 2023
- Beinn Dronaig - 30km of Solitude 23 Aug, 2023