The first glimpse of the falls visitors will see through a break in the trees while on the path
Looking for some new bucket list ideas for your time in Scotland? Located southwest of Stirling, the Loup of Fintry Waterfall is a hidden gem in the Scottish Lowlands. Scotland is well known for its abundance of natural wonders and undisturbed sweeping landscapes, so this waterfall offers a taste of the hidden secrets on offer in Scotland, off the beaten track.
Majestic as it is impressive, this natural cascade is a little-known destination, a short walk from the designated parking location.
The trail leads you past a handful of open viewpoints – which allow you to get a full open perspective of the waterfall in all its grandeur from above and across the valley – leading to the top of the waterfall and its connecting river.
There are various angles you can enjoy the glorious rapids from, just don't get too close!
Basics
The Loup of Fintry is a notable waterfall on the river Endrick, located around 2 miles (3 km) to the east of the small village of Fintry, 17 miles (27 km) from Stirling, and 23 miles (37 km) from Glasgow.
The total height of the waterfalls is 28.6 m (94 feet), which pales in comparison to some other Scottish waterfalls. It is a significant height for one located in the lowlands of the country.
An interesting note is that Loup is not Scottish for ‘loop’, but rather means ‘leap’ in Scots.
While the trail is short, you will be presented with the usual dramatic Scottish landscapes
Taking a up-close peak at the cascades
Weather in Scotland is unpredictable, and trails are often muddy and damp from previous days of rain - so pack accordingly!
If you see this sign just by the 'carpark', then you know you are on the right path
How to Get There
There is no public transport that can take visitors to the falls, as it lies in a remote area. Parking is also limited, consisting of approximately 5 spaces on either side of the road – and they are not the best either, with some major potholes that can damage your car if you are not careful. This means that no scheduled bus tours stop here either. So, the only way to reach this enchanted place is by private vehicle.
It might not be immediately clear that you are at the car park upon arrival, but the road is slightly wider by the entrance to the trail, rather than being clearly marked as parking spots. However, we used Google Maps and the pin for the ‘Loup of Fintry Waterfall Trail Start / Parking’ will be located exactly where the trail entrance and the widened road are, so this might help if you are uncertain.
Driving from Glasgow will take you approximately 45 minutes to reach the trailhead, and from Edinburgh it will be about 1 hour 15 minutes. While from the closest city of Stirling, it can be reached in approximately 30 minutes.
From the top of the falls you can witness the beauty of the valley that makes up the area you just traversed
The Waterfalls
After arriving at the designated parking space mentioned above, you will find a wooden gate and signage indicating that you are at the start of the trail.
It is only a 5-minute walk to the top of the waterfall, though you will undoubtedly want to stop for pictures of the falls from afar as well as the sweeping landscapes that surround it. The location makes this a great day-trip idea for those who might be on a slighter, tighter schedule.
The trail itself is extremely easy and straightforward; all you must do is keep following the trail, and it will lead you to the waterfall – easy even for someone like me who has a terrible sense of direction!
Make sure you pay attention to the right-hand side of the path, particularly at the midway point where it curves slightly. This is where you get the best views of the falls from above and where there are several breaks in the trees and foliage.
There are many great spots along the way that allow for amazing photo spots
Due to the Carron Valley Reservoir, lying a little upstream, the falls are noted to be heavier after rainfall, and we previously read that they are best visited in Autumn for this reason – enhanced further by the gorgeous autumnal oranges, yellows, and browns of the surrounding landscape. Thankfully, our visit was on a dry October Monday, after a weekend of flash floods – so, we were in all their spectacular beauty.
The waterfall is used as a secluded swimming spot in summertime. However, Scottish October’s are not well-known for their warm weather, so as you can imagine there were no swimmers in sight (indeed, we had the entire place to ourselves for most of the visit).
Once you reach the bottom of a short hill, you are directly in front of the top of the falls and its river. Here will provide you with a great top-down perspective of the waterfalls and the valley that now separates you from where you started the trail.
Other Things to Keep in Mind
The waterfall sits atop a high valley, and the water flow is also quite rapid. Therefore, extreme caution should be exercised when approaching the top to avoid any severe injury – or worse.
With a short flat trail from where you park, Loup of Fintry is a great option for those who don't have much time or cannot walk far
Rainfall is a common phenomenon in Scotland, which can also make the area around the top of the waterfall and the path dangerous to navigate. As such, I would recommend visits should only be conducted during a period of dry weather to reduce the chances of any accidents happening. Ideally, try to visit on a bright day after a period of rain or snow. This will make the cascades more pronounced, while also giving you a safer opportunity to view the waterfall. Ensure you wear decent shoes – preferably with a good grip – as the route down can get very muddy, even after a spell of dry weather.
As this natural formation is unregulated and unmanned, there are no specific entry times. However, visiting after daylight hours is not recommended – not least because the trail and the waterfall will be in total darkness.
Phone signals will be poor or non-existent in the area due to its remoteness, so that is something else to be aware of.
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