How hard is Benarty Hill?

Benarty Hill is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Forestry tracks for most of the approach with a steep eroded path onto the cliff plateau.

Where do I park for Benarty Hill?

Standard parking is at NT 156 968. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.

When is the best time to climb Benarty Hill?

The standard good-weather months for Benarty Hill are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.

Can I bring my dog up Benarty Hill?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

How hard is Benarty Hill?

Benarty Hill is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Forestry tracks for most of the approach with a steep eroded path onto the cliff plateau.

Where do I park for Benarty Hill?

Standard parking is at NT 156 968. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.

When is the best time to climb Benarty Hill?

The standard good-weather months for Benarty Hill are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.

Can I bring my dog up Benarty Hill?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

By Gary Innes

Photo: Richard Webb / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · ochils

Benarty Hill

Benarty Hill rears above the south shore of Loch Leven at NT15, a dramatic basalt escarpment of 356m known locally as the Sleeping Giant for its profile. The summit looks straight down onto the Loch Leven RSPB reserve and across to the Lomonds.

Quick facts

Height: 356m/ 1168ft
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NT 15381 97876
Parking: NT 156 968
Nearest city: Perth· 26km
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

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Standard route

volcanic basalt 50% · grass slopes 30% · heather patches 20%

GPX needed

Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

Start from Harran Hill car park in Benarty Forest and follow the forestry roads east, then cut up onto the escarpment via the steep path past the trig point. The cliff-edge walk west gives stunning Loch Leven views.

Terrain

Forestry tracks for most of the approach with a steep eroded path onto the cliff plateau. The summit walk follows a fence along basalt edges — keep well back in wind.

In winter

North-facing cliffs hold cornices after heavy snow. Conditions on the plateau are exposed; the escarpment edge becomes dangerous when iced and is best avoided in low cloud.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow2h 25m
Edinburgh1h 43m

Parking: NT 156 968

OS maps: OS Landranger 58, OS Explorer 367W

Mobile signal: Good. Fife/Kinross-shire; EE reliable.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

19h 44mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 04:25
Sunset: 22:03
Civil dawn: 03:22
Civil dusk: 23:06

NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026

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Around Benarty Hill on the SCOT network

Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Perth station

Gateway to Perthshire; Schiehallion, Beinn a Ghlo via bus

26km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Dunkeld

Southern Cairngorms gateway — Hermitage, Loch of the Lowes

47km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After the hill: Tullibardine

Blackford — central Highland distillery on the A9 between Stirling and Perth

27km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Benarty Hill — common questions

How hard is Benarty Hill?: Benarty Hill is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Forestry tracks for most of the approach with a steep eroded path onto the cliff plateau.
Where do I park for Benarty Hill?: Standard parking is at NT 156 968. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
When is the best time to climb Benarty Hill?: The standard good-weather months for Benarty Hill are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
Can I bring my dog up Benarty Hill?: Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
Is there mobile signal on Benarty Hill?: Good. Fife/Kinross-shire; EE reliable.
Is Benarty Hill safe in winter?: North-facing cliffs hold cornices after heavy snow. Conditions on the plateau are exposed; the escarpment edge becomes dangerous when iced and is best avoided in low cloud.

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