Walks

Begin at the visitor centre and head past the chambered cairn (on your right) in the lower garden. This neolithic cairn is around 5,000 years old and is surrounded by a magnificent white-flowered rhododendron. 

The path loops round to a viewpoint.

Pause at the viewpoint to admire the view over the lower garden, before turning back to climb the path.

At a star junction of 5 paths, take the furthest left – heading along a bank that loops through the trees. You will soon pass our bird hide, well worth a visit. 

We’ve recorded a wide variety of birdlife here, including bullfinches, blackcaps, goldcrests, treecreepers, pied flycatchers and sparrowhawks. White-tailed eagles have even been seen from the garden!

At a T junction, turn left again.

Continue to climb the path up through the garden, this time ignoring the path that loops off to the left, and stay on the main track. 

You will pass tulip trees, beautiful azalea and some of our prized southern beeches (Nothofagus).

At the crossroads with the forestry road, turn left and continue up the forestry road until you come to the new path on your right. Follow this delightful path through mature Scots pine. 

After 100m, cross the upper bridge over the burn and enjoy the panoramic view down the gorge. Look out for the Serbian spruce (Picea omorika), standing tall in the garden surrounded by other European conifer specimens.

Having crossed the bridge, turn left and climb into another section of woodland.

You are now among our graceful poplar trees. Watch out for roots across the path here, as you follow it round in a clockwise direction. 

In spring, the camellias are a real treat, putting on a show to rival the rhododendrons! 

Turn right at the junction.

At the next crossroads, turn right and then shortly right again to immerse yourself in our Jurassic area, where Wollemi pines and other primitive conifer species are doing very well. 

This little loop then rejoins the main path after 80m.

At the junction with the path that leads back to the upper bridge, stay left and head down into the woodland (ignoring the two paths that go left further down into the glen) and eventually loop back up to the waterfall bridge.

Cross this bridge – admiring the view of the waterfall as it tumbles down the gorge – and turn left to return to the star junction of Step 2.

This time take the forest track to the left, bordered by mature larch and Scots pines, and head to the pond and nearby viewpoint. 

Turn left to climb Nigel’s Steps to reach the pond.

The nearby Rhododendron falconeri grove dates from 1918 and contains the oldest rhodies in the garden. 

After also admiring the gunnera and bamboo, retrace your steps a little until you meet the main path that drops down into the lower garden.

Walk past the Meconopsis river on the west bank of the Crarae Burn, sticking to the outer path around the lawns. 

Enjoy views here of mature magnolia, azalea and eucalyptus.

Turn right just before the propagation shed and admire our newly planted borders. 

You will also pass the neolithic chambered cairn again on your right.

The walk ends at Crarae Visitor Centre, where you can reward yourself with a lovely hot drink and snack as you browse the shop.