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Tay Forest Park adventures

Tay Forest Park Adventures

Tay Forest Park is a diverse and expansive forested area in central Scotland offering extensive trails, wildlife viewing, and varied outdoor recreation opportunities amidst stunning highland and lowland scenery.

81,500
Acres Protected
150+
Miles of Trails
Over 1 million
Annual Visitors
1930s (managed as public forest estate since early 20th century)
Year Established

About Tay Forest Park

 

Tay Forest Park spans approximately 33,000 hectares across the Highlands and Perthshire region of Scotland, managed by Forestry and Land Scotland. The park encompasses a wide range of landscapes including native Caledonian pinewoods, mixed conifer plantations, lochs, moorlands, and open hillsides. Its geography is shaped by glacial valleys, rolling hills, and water bodies such as Loch Rannoch and Loch Tummel. Ecologically, the park is rich in biodiversity, home to species like red squirrels, capercaillie, red deer, pine martens, and numerous bird species, making it an important habitat for conservation and wildlife enthusiasts. Historically, the area has been used for timber production, hunting estates, and more recently for recreation and sustainable forest management. Visitors to Tay Forest Park can enjoy a wide variety of recreation including hiking, mountain biking, fishing, wildlife watching, and winter snow sports. Notable landmarks and facilities include the Queen’s View overlooking Loch Tummel, Carter Caves with scenic walking routes, and various dedicated mountain bike trails. The park offers several waymarked paths and longer routes that pass through ancient woodland, loch shores, and open hills. The remote feel of some areas combined with accessible facilities and well-developed recreation infrastructure makes Tay Forest Park a popular destination for all levels of outdoor enthusiasts. The park is also valued for its role in conserving natural landscapes and supporting rural communities through sustainable forestry and tourism.

Highlights

Highlight

Queen’s View – panoramic viewpoint overlooking Loch Tummel and surrounding hills

Highlight

Carter Caves – network of limestone caves with marked walking trails

Highlight

Mountain bike trails at Glen Errochty and other designated biking areas

Highlight

Wildlife watching opportunities including red squirrels and capercaillie habitats

Notable Natural Features

Queen’s View

A famous viewpoint offering sweeping vistas over Loch Tummel and the surrounding hills, attracting photographers and sightseers.

Carter Caves

A series of limestone caves accessible via waymarked trails, providing geological interest and scenic woodland walks.

Glen Errochty Mountain Bike Trails

A network of well-maintained mountain biking routes ranging from beginner to expert levels set within forested hills.