The Cleish Hills offer good opportunities for the hillwalker to explore a rather neglected part of Fife. Heavily forested in many parts, the tops and surrounding open moor provide open walking and provide a marvellous viewpoint across central Scotland.

Loch Glow which nestles in a cradle below the principal tops of Dumglow and Dummiefarline has a distinctly Highland feel to it, and its trout-rich waters attract cormorants, goosanders and herons. Because of the loch’s popularity with fishermen in the spring and summer, I prefer to walk the Cleish Hills in the winter, so as not to disturb the anglers and also to enjoy the remoteness and solitude it offers.

There is a special attraction about hillwalking in winter, the hard crunch of snow under boot and the clarity and freshness of the air are compelling. On a clear day the Cleish Hills provide excellent views across to Loch Leven, the Lomond Hills and outer Forth to the east, and as far as Ben Lomond and the Arrochar Alps in the west.

The best starting point is from the small parking place on the small unclassified road that connects the B914 and the B9097 (see factfile for details). A track takes you through thick pinewood to the edge of Loch Glow. Turn left here and follow the rough and muddy path around the loch’s edge. The going can be a bit rough and wet and those looking for a drier walk would be best to cross the dam and walk along the path on that side of the loch.

Once you have looped your way around the loch, follow the course of a drystane dyke at the far end which leads to the Black Loch - a small and very picturesque lochan. Fringed by reeds, this is a good place for snipe. Strike straight up the steep hill here following the course of a fence, taking you to the twin tops of Dumglow. The highest top has a triangulation point and cairn, and is the site of an iron-age fort.

The route across to the tops at Dummiefarline is a bit tricky as it involves finding a narrow firebreak in a thick pine plantation that leads all the way back down the hill south-eastwards. It’s easy to miss, and you’ll know if you taken the wrong path if you quickly come to a fence and it’s not possible to go any further downhill. If this happens, turn right following the course of the fence and it won’t be long before the main downhill path is reached. Be careful though, for it is slippery when wet.
Once through this, the two small tops are obvious and are easily reached after about another 10 minutes. From here head down the hill towards the dam and follow the route back to the car.

Factfile
How to get there
From the M90 turn off at Junction 4 Kelty, head west along the B914 and turn right up the small road signposted Cleish just before the B915 turn-off. About a mile up the road use the small Foresty Commission Loch Glow car park on the left hand side.

Equipment
Strong boots, waterproofs and ordnance survey map OS 58 are essential.

Terrain
Rough and boggy in places and not recommended for children.

Distance
Approx three miles. Give yourself two hours.

What will I see?
The loch is good for whooper swans, tufted duck and goldeneye, albeit in small numbers. Ravens occur here.