RoutesHiking trails & RoutesUnited KingdomScotlandClackmannanshireAlva
Waterfalls of Alva Glen – Smugglers' Cave, Alva Glen loop from Alva
RoutesHiking trails & RoutesUnited KingdomScotlandClackmannanshireAlva
Waterfalls of Alva Glen – Smugglers' Cave, Alva Glen loop from Alva
Moderate
4.2
(21)
86
hikers
Waterfalls of Alva Glen – Smugglers' Cave, Alva Glen loop from Alva
02:27
7.70km
330m
Hiking
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.
Last updated: August 8, 2026
Waypoints
A
Start point
Parking
1
129 m
Waterfalls of Alva Glen
Highlight • Waterfall
Alva Glen is a spectacular gorge situated above the village of Alva at the foot of the Ochil Hills.
Alva Glen is a diverse and attractive glen. The forest floor is carpeted with many wild flowers and there’s a variety of wildlife to spot, such as the kestrel and the long tailed wagtail.
The glen is managed by the Alva Glen Heritage Trust which is run entirely by volunteers. They regularly plant new tree and shrubs in the area as well as removing non-native species of plant.
Each year the formal garden and waterfalls are illuminated by coloured lights. These stunning Alva Glen illuminations have been attracting people from all over central Scotland for many years.
As you follow the path from the car park you reach the first of five waterfalls, the highlights of the glen, including the 23m Craighorn Fall and the Big Fall, a hidden waterfall which cascades magically into the Smugglers Cave. You can also see a number of ancient hill-terraces, known locally as ‘The Delvins’, on the slopes of the glen.
The glen was once the centre of a busy textile industry and the remnants of an old dam and numerous workshops can be spotted. There are a number information signs to tell you about the history of the area.
Alva Glen is a diverse and attractive glen. The forest floor is carpeted with many wild flowers and there’s a variety of wildlife to spot, such as the kestrel and the long tailed wagtail.
The glen is managed by the Alva Glen Heritage Trust which is run entirely by volunteers. They regularly plant new tree and shrubs in the area as well as removing non-native species of plant.
Each year the formal garden and waterfalls are illuminated by coloured lights. These stunning Alva Glen illuminations have been attracting people from all over central Scotland for many years.
As you follow the path from the car park you reach the first of five waterfalls, the highlights of the glen, including the 23m Craighorn Fall and the Big Fall, a hidden waterfall which cascades magically into the Smugglers Cave. You can also see a number of ancient hill-terraces, known locally as ‘The Delvins’, on the slopes of the glen.
The glen was once the centre of a busy textile industry and the remnants of an old dam and numerous workshops can be spotted. There are a number information signs to tell you about the history of the area.
Tip by
2
260 m
View of the Forth Valley from Alva Glen
Highlight (Segment) • Viewpoint
Viewpoint across the forth valley.
Tip by
3
806 m
Dog Gate with Sliding Panel
Highlight • Structure
Having lifted our little dogs over the turnstiles around our walk we were pleasantly surprised to find this one that had a sliding piece of wood to allow small dogs through the turnstile rather than having to lift them.
Tip by
4
806 m
Silver Glen Waterfall and Silver Mine
Highlight • Waterfall
The Silver Glen lies approximately 1 km to the east of the town of Alva, Clackmannanshire, Scotland, and takes its name from the silver that was mined there in the early 18th century. The story of the silver mine is a remarkable one. The deposit, the richest deposit of native silver ever found in the British Isles, was discovered just as the Jacobite rising of 1715 was breaking out, and its owner, Sir John Erskine, left to join the rebels, leaving his wife in charge of the mine. Some 40 tons of ore were raised and buried in barrels in the grounds of Alva House, whilst the richest of the ore was smelted and the ingots concealed under floorboards inside the house. The mine was then filled in during the aftermath of the failed rising, but its existence was revealed to the government by an employee of the Erskines. Samples of the ore were analysed by Sir Isaac Newton and found to be very rich. Sir John was later able to secure a pardon for his role in the rising, on condition he revealed all he knew about the mine, and gave a tenth of the proceeds to the government. Mining resumed a few years later and the remainder of the deposit was extracted. Later, in 1759, a vein carrying erythrite, an ore of cobalt, was found and gave a new lease of life to the mines, but it was soon exhausted
Tip by
5
1.41 km
View of Alva from the Hill Path
Highlight • Trail
Not really a gravel bike descent when the grass is damp as there is no traction and very hard to control on steep slope just before the stony hairpins of the Nebbit. Best done on mtb.
Tip by
6
1.50 km
View of Alva
Highlight • Viewpoint
7
6.22 km
Smugglers' Cave, Alva Glen
Highlight • Cave
Alva Glen is a spectacular gorge situated above the village of Alva at the foot of the Ochil Hills.
Alva Glen is a diverse and attractive glen. The forest floor is carpeted with many wild flowers and there’s a variety of wildlife to spot, such as the kestrel and the long tailed wagtail.
The glen is managed by the Alva Glen Heritage Trust which is run entirely by volunteers. They regularly plant new tree and shrubs in the area as well as removing non-native species of plant.
Each year the formal garden and waterfalls are illuminated by coloured lights. These stunning Alva Glen illuminations have been attracting people from all over central Scotland for many years.
As you follow the path from the car park you reach the first of five waterfalls, the highlights of the glen, including the 23m Craighorn Fall and the Big Fall, a hidden waterfall which cascades magically into the Smugglers Cave. You can also see a number of ancient hill-terraces, known locally as ‘The Delvins’, on the slopes of the glen.
The glen was once the centre of a busy textile industry and the remnants of an old dam and numerous workshops can be spotted. There are a number information signs to tell you about the history of the area.
Alva Glen is a diverse and attractive glen. The forest floor is carpeted with many wild flowers and there’s a variety of wildlife to spot, such as the kestrel and the long tailed wagtail.
The glen is managed by the Alva Glen Heritage Trust which is run entirely by volunteers. They regularly plant new tree and shrubs in the area as well as removing non-native species of plant.
Each year the formal garden and waterfalls are illuminated by coloured lights. These stunning Alva Glen illuminations have been attracting people from all over central Scotland for many years.
As you follow the path from the car park you reach the first of five waterfalls, the highlights of the glen, including the 23m Craighorn Fall and the Big Fall, a hidden waterfall which cascades magically into the Smugglers Cave. You can also see a number of ancient hill-terraces, known locally as ‘The Delvins’, on the slopes of the glen.
The glen was once the centre of a busy textile industry and the remnants of an old dam and numerous workshops can be spotted. There are a number information signs to tell you about the history of the area.
Tip by
8
6.87 km
Craighorn Fall, Alva Glen
Highlight • Waterfall
Alva Glen is a spectacular gorge situated above the village of Alva at the foot of the Ochil Hills.
Alva Glen is a diverse and attractive glen. The forest floor is carpeted with many wild flowers and there’s a variety of wildlife to spot, such as the kestrel and the long tailed wagtail.
The glen is managed by the Alva Glen Heritage Trust which is run entirely by volunteers. They regularly plant new tree and shrubs in the area as well as removing non-native species of plant.
Each year the formal garden and waterfalls are illuminated by coloured lights. These stunning Alva Glen illuminations have been attracting people from all over central Scotland for many years.
As you follow the path from the car park you reach the first of five waterfalls, the highlights of the glen, including the 23m Craighorn Fall and the Big Fall, a hidden waterfall which cascades magically into the Smugglers Cave. You can also see a number of ancient hill-terraces, known locally as ‘The Delvins’, on the slopes of the glen.
The glen was once the centre of a busy textile industry and the remnants of an old dam and numerous workshops can be spotted. There are a number information signs to tell you about the history of the area.
Alva Glen is a diverse and attractive glen. The forest floor is carpeted with many wild flowers and there’s a variety of wildlife to spot, such as the kestrel and the long tailed wagtail.
The glen is managed by the Alva Glen Heritage Trust which is run entirely by volunteers. They regularly plant new tree and shrubs in the area as well as removing non-native species of plant.
Each year the formal garden and waterfalls are illuminated by coloured lights. These stunning Alva Glen illuminations have been attracting people from all over central Scotland for many years.
As you follow the path from the car park you reach the first of five waterfalls, the highlights of the glen, including the 23m Craighorn Fall and the Big Fall, a hidden waterfall which cascades magically into the Smugglers Cave. You can also see a number of ancient hill-terraces, known locally as ‘The Delvins’, on the slopes of the glen.
The glen was once the centre of a busy textile industry and the remnants of an old dam and numerous workshops can be spotted. There are a number information signs to tell you about the history of the area.
Tip by
B
7.70 km
End point
Parking
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
3.86 km
3.80 km
< 100 m
Surfaces
5.07 km
2.58 km
< 100 m
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Monday 12 October
17°C
7°C
98 %
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Max wind speed: 27.0 km/h
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