Marilyn · Ochils
Steele's Knowe
Steele's Knowe is a quiet southern Ochil summit at 485m, hidden away in the NN 969 grid square between Auchterarder and Glen Devon. The rounded grassy top is a tranquil viewpoint over Strathearn and toward the Highlands beyond.
Quick facts
- Height
- 485.6m/ 1593ft
- Prominence
- 178 m
- Grid ref
- NN 96946 07990
- Nearest city
- Perth· 21km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).
No GPX track yet
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Standard route
grass slopes 65% · heather patches 25% · boggy ground 10%
Access is from the back road south of Auchterarder via a farm track that climbs onto open hill. The line is straightforward but requires careful navigation across the broad, featureless plateau. Around 9km and 2.5-3 hours.
Terrain
Smooth Ochil grassland and bracken on the lower slopes, with patches of heather and bog on the broad summit area. Sheep tracks help thread between the wettest bits.
In winter
Light winters compared with the higher Ochils to the north but rime ice can form on the summit when easterly winds hit damp air. A reliable short-day pick from Edinburgh or Perth.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 49m
- Edinburgh1h 27m
OS maps: OS Landranger 58, OS Explorer 366E
Mobile signal: Good. Kinross-shire; solid EE signal — close to central belt infrastructure.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:13
- Sunset
- 21:29
- Civil dawn
- 04:23
- Civil dusk
- 22:19
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Around Steele's Knowe on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Steele's Knowe — common questions
- Is Steele's Knowe a hard climb?
- Steele's Knowe is rated 1/5 (easy) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Ground conditions: Smooth Ochil grassland and bracken on the lower slopes, with patches of heather and bog on the broad summit area.
- How much drop does Steele's Knowe have?
- The drop is 178m: measured from the summit of Steele's Knowe down to the saddle joining it to higher terrain. Passing the 150m-drop threshold on all sides is exactly what makes it a Marilyn.
- What's the best month to climb Steele's Knowe?
- Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Steele's Knowe. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.
- Can dogs go up Steele's Knowe?
- Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.
- Will I get phone signal on Steele's Knowe?
- Good. Kinross-shire; solid EE signal — close to central belt infrastructure.
- Is Steele's Knowe safe in winter?
- Light winters compared with the higher Ochils to the north but rime ice can form on the summit when easterly winds hit damp air. A reliable short-day pick from Edinburgh or Perth.
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