East Lomond and Falkland Hill Circular
Fife
This is a brilliant little mountain day out of a picture postcard village. The dog friendly circuit climbs steeply from Falkland, winding through beech woods before breaking out onto open moorland for the final pull to the 424 metre summit of East Lomond and its distinctive hillfort ramparts. The summit gives you one of the best viewpoints in the Kingdom of Fife, with the Ochils, Cairngorms and Firth of Forth all in sight on a clear day.
The circular is about 7.5 kilometres and takes around three hours, with roughly 330 metres of ascent. From the summit the path drops towards Craigmead and then swings back along the Maspie Den, a lush wooded ravine where you actually walk behind a waterfall, which dogs tend to love. Expect grazing sheep on the open hill, so lead up as needed; parking is in Falkland village and there are cafes, pubs, toilets and the National Trust's Falkland Palace for afterwards.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 7.5 km (4.7 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 3 hr
- Walk Type
- Peak, Woodland, Waterfall
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- Cafes, pubs, shops and public toilets in Falkland village; nothing on the hill itself.
- Parking
- Free on street and Back Wynd car park in Falkland village; additional picnic area parking at Craigmead mid route.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is East Lomond and Falkland Hill Circular dog friendly?
Yes, East Lomond and Falkland Hill Circular is a well-regarded dog friendly walk, earning a solid 8 out of 10 on our rating. The route offers a good mix of woodland, open moorland and a beautiful wooded ravine, making it a genuinely enjoyable outing for dogs and their owners alike.
Can dogs be off lead at East Lomond and Falkland Hill Circular?
Dogs can enjoy some off-lead time on this walk, but you should keep them on the lead on the open hill sections where grazing sheep are present. The wooded stretches through the beech woods and Maspie Den ravine may offer more relaxed opportunities, though always use your judgement based on what's around you.
What should I know before visiting East Lomond and Falkland Hill Circular with my dog?
This is a moderately challenging circular of around 7.5 kilometres with 330 metres of ascent, so your dog should be reasonably fit for the steep climb to the 424-metre summit. There are no facilities on the hill itself, so bring enough water for both of you; the good news is that Falkland village has cafes, pubs and public toilets for a well-earned rest afterwards. The highlight for many dogs is the Maspie Den, a wooded ravine where the path passes behind a waterfall — well worth the effort to get there.
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