9k Run Crieff: Scenic Trail Along River Earn to Laggan Hill

Route Overview & Local Insights

Experience the very best of Perthshire’s natural beauty on this 8.7km loop through Crieff. Starting from Turretbank Road, you’ll enjoy a flat and scenic warm-up along the banks of the River Earn via the historic Lady Mary’s Walk. This section is wonderfully paved and shaded by ancient trees, offering a peaceful rhythm before reaching Puddock Pond. The intensity picks up as you tackle the steady climb up Laggan Hill; with a total ascent of 110m, it’s a manageable challenge that rewards runners with sweeping views over the Strathearn valley. The descent via Laggan Road provides a smooth, downhill finish back into the heart of town, making it an ideal route for those wanting a mix of riverside serenity and moderate hill work.

Crieff has long been a destination for those seeking fresh air and rejuvenation, famously known as a fashionable Victorian spa town. Lady Mary’s Walk, a centerpiece of this run, was named after Lady Mary Murray, whose family once owned the nearby Ochtertyre Estate; it has been a popular promenade since the early 19th century. As you climb Laggan Hill, you are running through a landscape that inspired renowned writers and poets, including Robert Burns who famously visited the area. This route perfectly captures the "Gateway to the Highlands" feel, blending the manicured elegance of old estate paths with the rugged upward pull of the Scottish hills.