Abbey Craig & Uni campus (4 miles)
From the Wallace Monument car park, head up the steep path towards the tower (signed Wallace Way). Rather than proceed directly to the tower, there are two woodland loops (red & blue) that pass by a superb viewing platform for the city of Stirling below. The monument is then encountered and features three exhibition galleries, along with an excellent panorama from the crown - if you're prepared to pay the admission fee and slog your way up the narrow stone spiral staircase!
Return to the visitors centre at the car park where toilets, merchandise and refreshments are available. A 300-yard stroll along the B998 pavement brings you to the campus of Stirling University. Follow the access road, ignoring junctions on either side and you will descend to the shore of Loch Airthrie - created in the late 18th century as a feature of the Castle Airthrie Estate. A path runs all the way round, with a bridge across the middle offering a potential short-cut.
