The Birks of Aberfeldy and the Falls of Moness
Perthshire
The Birks of Aberfeldy is a steep wooded gorge on the Moness Burn, just above the town of Aberfeldy in Highland Perthshire. There is no livestock here, so a dog can enjoy the lower beech wood off the lead by the burn, though the climb above is steep and narrow. Robert Burns rested here on a rock shelf now known as Burns' Seat when he visited in 1787, and his poem 'The Birks of Aberfeldy' has drawn visitors ever since. This 3.5km loop starts from the upper Birks car park and crosses a large bridge over the burn into a lower wood that is mostly beech, following the water past small cascades into the narrowing gorge. Stone steps and a wooden walkway zigzag up past a series of waterfalls, with handrails for most of the way, to a break in the trees framing the Upper Falls of Moness, the highest on the walk, and a footbridge above them with a dizzying view down. The return runs higher along the other side of the ravine through the birches, or birks, that give the glen its name. There is 195 metres of up and down on an excellent waymarked path.
This dog friendly walk is short, shaded and full of the sound of water, with no livestock anywhere in the glen. The burn is easy to reach near the start, but higher up the path runs above steep drops and is busy, so keep your dog close on the steps and the footbridge. Aberfeldy's cafes are a short walk away.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 3.5 km (2.2 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 1 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Waterfall, Woodland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- No facilities listed at the car park; cafes, shops and pubs in Aberfeldy town centre nearby.
- Parking
- Birks car park on the south side of Aberfeldy, with a path from the main square.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to The Birks of Aberfeldy and the Falls of Moness, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
The Old Police Cottage - Lintrathen
Sleeps 6 · 3 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £675 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in PerthshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is The Birks of Aberfeldy and the Falls of Moness dog friendly?
The Birks of Aberfeldy scores 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness, and it's easy to see why — there's no livestock anywhere in the glen, the burn is accessible near the start for a splash, and the 3.5km loop is well waymarked throughout. It's a genuinely enjoyable outing for dogs and owners alike, though the steep and narrow sections higher up mean it suits sure-footed dogs best.
Can dogs be off lead at The Birks of Aberfeldy and the Falls of Moness?
Dogs can enjoy the lower beech wood off the lead, where the path follows the Moness Burn past small cascades and the terrain is relatively relaxed. Higher up, where stone steps and a wooden walkway climb steeply through the gorge past serious drops, it's wise to keep your dog on the lead — particularly on the steps and the footbridge above the Upper Falls.
What should I know before visiting The Birks of Aberfeldy and the Falls of Moness with my dog?
The path involves 195 metres of ascent and descent, with sections that are steep, narrow and busy, so it's worth being prepared for a proper climb rather than a gentle stroll. There are no facilities at the car park itself, but Aberfeldy's cafes, shops and pubs are just a short walk away, making it easy to round off the walk with a well-earned rest.
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