All the walks featured in this section may take up to a full day and involve testing conditions but offer a great adventure.
Click on the plus to find more detail of each walk. For a flavour of the landscape and views, watch our exploring The Great Trossachs Forest short film
Lochs Katrine and Arklet
map to follow
Name
Lochs Katrine and Arklet
Distance
26 km (one way)
Time
Full day
Gradient/ difficulty
Moderate
Car park
The Garrison car park (RSPB Scotland)
Inversnaid, FK8 3TU
Trossachs Pier (Sir Walter Scott Steamship)
A821, take turning to Loch Katrine
NB car park charges apply
Type of path
Tarmac and rough path
Walk description
Taking in two lochsides this walk takes you along the north shore of Loch Katrine and the historic Old Military Road along Loch Arklet.
The walk can be combined with a steamship sailing on Loch Katrine.
The walk can also start from Tarbet and start with a cruise across Loch Lomond.
Walk features
Views, woodlands, buggy friendly
Nearby facilities
Toilet, visitor information is available at the Garrison Visitor Gateway and the Trossachs Pier.
At Inversnaid: Inversnaid Hotel, Inversnaid Bunk House
Stronachlachar: The Pier cafe
Trossachs Pier: Brenachoile cafe
Details of route
This is a straight walk along The Great Trossachs Path. By taking a steamship sailing the Loch Katrine element of this route can be made into a loop walk.
Please note the north shore of Loch Katrine is a private road and some cars use this route.
Loch Venachar loop
map to follow
Name
Loch Venachar loop
Distance
20 km
Time
Full day
Gradient/ difficulty
Strenuous
Car park
Lendrick Hill car park (Woodland Trust Scotland)
A821, nr Brig o' Turk, FK17 8HR
Bochastle car park (Forestry Commission Scotland)
A821, Kilmahog, nr Callander
Type of path
Rough path and tarmac
Walk description
Spectacular loop walk taking in loch side trails and fantastic views and some mature woodlands. Loch Venachar is visible for the whole of the route, and Loch Drunkie is visible from the north shore.
The route can be extended to go via Callander (an extra 5km on the route)
Walk features
Views, woodlands, lochside
Nearby facilities
Tea room and pub in Brig o' Turk
Venachar cafe on the shores of Loch Venachar
Many facilities are available in Callander
Details of route
From the Lendrick Hill car park follow The Great Trossachs Path up Lendrick Hill and then along the north shore of Loch Venachar. Turn right at the Invertrossachs turn and then return along the south shore firstly along National Cycle Network 7, and then along the Forest Drive to Brig o' Turk where The Great Trossachs Path takes you back to the Lendrick Hill car park.
If Callander is included in the loop continue straight on at the Invertrossachs turn and follow The Great Trossachs Path to Callander. Return by the National Cycle Network 7 until the forest drive and NCN7 split- then as above.
The Meall
map to follow
Name
The Meall (Woodland Trust Scotland)
formerly 'The Mell'
Distance
24 km/ 14 miles
Time
Full day
Gradient/ difficulty
Strenuous
Car park
Lendrick Hill car park (Woodland Trust Scotland)
A821, nr Brig o' Turk, FK17 8HR
Dam Road car park (Woodland Trust Scotland)
Brig o' Turk
Type of path
Rough path
Walk description
If it's a challenge you are looking for then the Meall track provides a full day's walk or half day mountain bike.
Starting at the Lendrick Hill car park, the trail rises above the reservoir, with spectacular views, towards Glen Meann. After reaching a summit of 600 metres, you descend steeply into Glen Finglas, the former royal hunting grounds and some of the finest ancient wood pasture remaining in Britain.
Walk features
Views, woodlands, lochside, gateway, uplands
Nearby facilities
Toilets and information are available in the Glen Finglas Gateway Centre in the Lendrick Hill car park
Tea room and pub in Brig o' Turk
Venachar cafe on the shores of Loch Venachar
Many facilities are available in Callander
Details of route
From the Lendrick Hill car park follow the Meall waymarked route.
From the Dam Road car park, walk up the hill along the tarmac road.
For more information see the Woodland Trust Scotland's Glen Finglas leaflet.
Loch Katrine North Shore
map to follow
Name
Loch Katrine North Shore (Forestry Commission Scotland)
Can be incorporated with Sir Walter Scott steamship sailing
Distance
20 km/ 12.5 miles
Time
Full day
Gradient/ difficulty
Moderate
Car park
Trossachs Pier car park (Sir Walter Scott Trust)
A821, follow signs for Loch Katrine, FK17 8HZ
Note parking charges apply
Type of path
Tarmac
Walk description
An excellent route for cyclists and/or keen walkers, this route passes by Rob Roy's family home and graveyard and some spectacular waterfalls on the hillslopes. The track covers the whole of the north shore of Loch Katrine and passes through woodland and open areas, with Loch Katrine being constantly visible. The art and literarture trail along the route provides further information about the historical importance of Loch Katrine.
Please note this route follows a private road and so cars share the road with walkers and cyclists.
Walk features
Views, woodlands, lochside, uplands, history
Nearby facilities
Toilets, cafe and information are available at the Trossachs Pier.
The pier tea room at Stronachlachar
Tea room and pub in Brig o' Turk
Details of route
This walk can be combined with a sailing on the Sir Walter Scott Steamship to make a loop walk. Take the Steamship Sir Walter Scott from either Trossachs Pier or Stronachlachar along to the other end of Loch Katrine. Return back along the North Shore Road.
For more information see the Forestry Commission Scotland's Loch Katrine leaflet.
Ben Venue Hill Path
Name
Ben Venue hill path (Forestry Commission Scotland)
Distance
14 km/ 8.75 miles
Time
Full day
Gradient/ difficulty
Strenuous
Car park
Ben Venue car park (Forestry Commission Scotland)
A821, nr Loch Katrine
Note parking charges apply
Type of path
Hill path
Walk description
After a steep rocky ascent you are rewarded with superb views from the summit. On a clear day the summits of a number of hills can be seen from the top. Return is by the same route.
Starting from the car park at the west end of Loch Achray the route takes you on forest roads and paths until you reach open moorland. The route here can become very wet and boggy, so make sure you come prepared.
Beware of attempting this route in winter.
Walk features
Views, woodlands, uplands
Nearby facilities
Toilets, cafe and information are available at the Trossachs Pier.
Tea room and pub in Brig o' Turk
Details of route
From the Ben Venue car park follow the signs for the Ben Venue hill path
Statute Labour Road
map to follow
Name
Statute Labour Road (Forestry Commission Scotland)
Distance
20 km/ 12.5 miles (one way)
Time
Full day
Gradient/ difficulty
Moderate
Car park
Aberfoyle main car park
Type of path
Rough path
Walk description
Enjoy this path which passes by Loch Ard and Loch Chon. The final part of the route follows the historic statute labour road.
Walk features
Views, woodlands, lochside
Nearby facilities
The pier cafe in Stronachlachar
Many facilities in Aberfoyle.
Details of route
From Aberfoyle follow the Forestry Commission route towards Loch Ard and Loch Chon. The Statute Labour Road is sign posted towards Stronachlachar.
Ben Ledi Hill Path
map to follow
Name
Ben Ledi hill path (Forestry Commission Scotland)
Distance
7.6 km / 4.75 miles
Time
Full day
Gradient/ difficulty
Moderate
Car park
Ben Ledi car park, A84 north of Callander, FK17 8HF
follow signs for Strathyre Forest Cabins
Type of path
Hill path
Walk description
This walk over rough ground includes steep sections, and offers panoramic views, and can be difficult in winter conditions. The route is not way-marked
Ben Ledi is the highest summit in the area and this is a popular trail.
Walk features
Views, upland
Nearby facilities
Many facilities in Callander, Kilmahog and Strathyre
Details of route
If this car park is full, or you want to extend your walk, this walk can be started from the Bochastle car park (A821) and then follow the NCN7 until the Ben Ledi Path starts.
Ben Ledi can also be accessed from Glen Casaig but a map and compass is required.
For more information, including the current diversion see the Forestry Commission website