Walk: River Devon – rumbling rainforest ramble

Crook of Devon, Perth & Kinross
★★★

Soon after the River Devon escapes eastwards from its narrow glen through the Ochil Hills, it begins a lazy 180-degree meander, setting it on a course west through Clackmannanshire towards Alloa. The river feature gives its name to the settlement on the outside of the bend – Crook of Devon – where this walk starts. Enjoyable riverbank paths at the start and finish connect to a middle section on quiet, rural lanes, forming a pleasant circuit with no surprises in terms of difficulty. There is, however, a scenic surprise in store at Rumbling Bridge Gorge, where the previously tranquil River Devon unexpectedly enters a dramatic, mossy canyon complete with waterfalls and rapids.

Chronological photo guide

Location

Start / finish on A977 at junction with Naemoor Road, Crook of Devon. Alternative start at Rumbling Bridge gorge

O.S. Grid Reference: NO 033002

GPS coordinates: 56.184551,-3.559060

Bus to Crook of Devon

Street parking nearby

Key info

6 km / 4 mi | ▲ 60 m | 2 hr

Features: Crook of Devon; River Devon; Rumbling Bridge gorge ★★★

⬤ Easy | Clear paths & tracks, short sections of pavement & minor roads. Gentle gradients with a few flights of stairs, occasional mulchy sections mostly around gorge.

Clockwise circuit: start – Rumbling Bridge gorge via River Devon south bank – cross river by road bridge at Rumbling Bridge – follow northwest bank upstream (various detours to viewing platforms on right) – road / track to west then north of Lendrick Muir SU Centre – rejoin River Devon opposite Newbigging Farm – follow downstream to footbridge (don’t cross) – turn right to return to start

Download file for GPS

On our last visit

Wildlife: Many red deer (not wild), cows in adjacent fields, grey herons, grey wagtails, a pheasant.

Weather: Increasingly sunny following rain earlier in the day. Breezy with temperature in high teens.

June 2022