6k Run Blairgowrie: Scenic Summit of The Knockie

Route Overview & Local Insights

The Knockie loop is a local favorite in Blairgowrie, offering a condensed 5.8km adventure that packs a surprising punch. Starting with a gentle warm-up along the Riverside Path, you’ll track the fast-flowing River Ericht before transitioning onto the Ardblair and Cateran Trails. The terrain is a balanced mix of 60% paved surfaces and 40% rugged woodland paths, with a moderate "Category 3" hilliness character. The ascent up the Knockie provides the route's peak challenge, rewarding runners with panoramic views across the Ericht Valley and the surrounding Perthshire countryside before a swift, technical descent back toward the town center.

Steeped in Scottish history, this route utilizes sections of the famous Cateran Trail, a long-distance path named after the cattle reivers who once raided these lands. As you run alongside the River Ericht, notice the towering Victorian-era textile mills; Blairgowrie was once a booming hub for jute and flax production, powered by the very waters you see today. This transition from industrial heritage to the wild, elevated scrubland of the Knockie offers a unique glimpse into the geography that shaped this gateway to the Highlands.