Devil's Pulpit, Scotland: How to Find Finnich Glen and What to Expect

The Devil's Pulpit is a moss-covered gorge in Finnich Glen, about 30 minutes north of Glasgow, with a river the colour of red wine running through it. The gorge is about 70 ft deep (some walking guides say 100 ft), the walls are green with moss and ferns, and the stone steps down into it date to 1860. It is one of the most photographed places in Scotland, and one of the hardest to find: there is no signpost, no visitor centre, and no proper path.

The walk itself is short, about 0.6 km and 30 minutes return. The hard parts are the parking, which fits two or three cars, and the descent, which is steep, slippery, and unfenced. This guide gives the exact route, the parking, and the safety warnings.

Figure 1: The Devil's Pulpit in Finnich Glen, with the red Carnock Burn between the moss-covered walls. The cover photo shows the gorge from inside.

Where it is

Finnich Glen sits just south of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, on the A809 near the village of Croftamie. Driving times are about 30 minutes north of Glasgow, 90 minutes west of Edinburgh, and 15 minutes south of Loch Lomond. The GPS coordinates for the parking area are 56.0312, -4.4174. The official name for the gorge is Finnich Glen. The Devil's Pulpit is the rock formation inside it.

Getting there and parking

Driving is the easiest option, and for most visitors the only practical one. From Glasgow, take the A82 north, then the A809 through Bearsden and Milngavie towards Drymen. From Stirling, take the A811 west, then the A809. The parking layby is on the A809, just south of where the road crosses the gorge.

Parking is the biggest headache at Finnich Glen. The only place to park legally is a small layby on the A809, just south of the bridge over the gorge, and it fits two or three cars at most. Do not park at the B834 and A809 junction. It has been for emergency vehicles only since 2020. Do not park on the road itself. If the layby is full, the larger Queen's View car park is about 3 miles south along the A809, and it is a long walk from there. Arrive early in the morning, especially at weekends.

It is technically possible to get close by bus. The X10 service runs between Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station and Stirling, stopping in Killearn, which is about 2 miles from the glen. From Killearn it is a walk along country roads to the glen. Most visitors drive.

The route, step by step

From the layby, walk south along the A809, cross the bridge over the Carnock Burn, and look for a gap in the stone wall on the far side. Climb through the gap and pick up the footpath through the woodland on the south side of the gorge. The path is easy to follow, but there is no fence, and the drop to the gorge floor is about 70 ft. Keep away from the edge.

After 5 to 10 minutes of walking, you reach the stone steps known as Jacob's Ladder, or the Devil's Steps. The descent is about 10 m, and it takes about 5 minutes going carefully. As of 2025 there are no ropes or handrails. The steps were built in 1860, and they are steep, worn, and often wet. At the bottom, the red river runs through the gorge, and the Devil's Pulpit rock stands in the middle of it. The whole trail is 0.6 km out and back, and takes about 30 minutes.

Safety: read this before you go

The Devil's Pulpit is dangerous when wet, and the danger is easy to underrate. The descent is steep and slippery, the rocks are wet even in dry weather, and the gorge has a 70 ft unfenced drop above the water. Visitors have been hurt falling on the steps and near the edge. Do not visit when it is wet, do not climb on the rocks, and do not take children or dogs into the gorge. The site is sometimes closed when it is judged too dangerous.

The walk along the road is also a risk. The A809 is narrow, and the path beside it is thin. Watch for traffic, and walk facing it. There are no toilets, no cafe, and no phone signal in the gorge. Tell someone where you are going.

Figure 2: The Carnock Burn running red through Finnich Glen, seen from the gorge rim.

Best time to visit

March to October is the best time, with the moss at its greenest and the steps at their driest. Go early in the morning for the parking and the quiet. The gorge is at its most photogenic after rain, when the river runs redder and the moss is bright, but that is also when the steps are at their most slippery. If it has rained, wait a day. Winter visits are possible, but the steps are often wet and the light in the gorge is poor.

Practical tips

• Arrive early: the layby fits two or three cars. After 9.30 on a Saturday it is often full.
• Wear boots with grip: trainers with smooth soles are the wrong shoes for the steps.
• Do not go when wet: the steps are slippery, and the site is sometimes closed after rain.
• Keep back from the edge: there is no fence, and the drop is about 70 ft.
• Bring a dry bag: the gorge is damp, and the river can splash the path at the bottom.
• Allow 30 minutes: the trail is short, but the descent and the photos take time.

Sources: Finding the Universe Devil's Pulpit guide for the parking layby, the 2 to 3 car limit, the Queen's View fallback, the 56.0312, -4.4174 coordinates, and the 2025 no-ropes note; AllTrails for the 0.6 km trail, the 1860 steps, and the March to October season; Uprooted Traveler for the 30-minute drive from Glasgow and the 5-minute walk from the car park; Two Wandering Soles for the 0.6 km distance and the 30-minute round trip. Parking rules change. Check the current guidance before you travel.

Frequently asked questions