The Nebit

Route Overview & Local Insights

The Nebit loop is a punchy 4.7km fell run that packs a significant 380m of vertical gain into its modest distance. Starting from Alva Glen, this clockwise circuit transitions quickly from the village edge into the raw, rugged beauty of the Ochil Hills. You’ll encounter a mix of steep grassy banks, narrow trods, and loose terrain that requires nimble footwork, especially on the descent. Rated as high on the hill-scale, it is a perfect training ground for hill runners looking to build leg strength and descending confidence while enjoying breathtaking panoramas of the Forth Valley and the Wallace Monument in the distance.

Steeped in industrial history, the town of Alva at the base of the Ochils was once a bustling hub for textile production, powered by the silver-laden waters of the very glen you start in. As you climb The Nebit, you are running through a landscape famous for its "Silver Glen" mines, where some of the richest silver deposits in the British Isles were discovered in the 18th century. Today, the hills offer a different kind of wealth for the outdoor enthusiast; the "Hillfoots" villages provide a gateway to some of Scotland's most accessible yet demanding hill running, where the weather can shift as quickly as the gradient.