Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park
Take the high road (or the low road) from the western central belt and you're sure to arrive on the shores of Loch Lomond.
Within Scotland's first national park, Loch Lomond is the UK's largest freshwater expanse and one of its most picturesque. The Park extends into the Trossachs where you'll find wild glens, sparkling lochs and the pretty towns of Callander and Aberfoyle, which are useful bases for walkers to this area.
For walkers there are many options and for all abilities. Take a waymarked walk through Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, climb lofty Ben Lomond or Ben Arthur (the Cobbler) or walk sections of Scotland's oldest long distance route, the West Highland Way.
Moderate Walks
As you would expect in Scotland's first National Park, this area offers many gentle walks through remarkably beautiful landscapes that have a rich flora and fauna. Footpaths run beside lochs, whose glassy waters reflect mountains and wooded shores, and along rivers and streams with waterfalls and rock features. Many routes are signposted, especially around villages and in Queen Elizabeth and Argyll forest parks. The Loch Lomond and Trossachs area has always been popular for day visits from the nearby centres of population, like Glasgow and Stirling, and as a centre for short, relaxing breaks.
Loch shores and riverbanks provide the setting for many of the best walks in the area, for example along the river Leny in Callander or beside Loch Katrine or Loch Venachar. The well prepared tracks of the West Highland Way and the Lochs and Glens national cycle route can also be used for good short outings, just going as far as you feel like. If in doubt, ask locally and you will be directed to walks in local beauty spots, like the circuit round Callander Craig and Bracklinn Falls above Callander. Wherever you go there is plenty to keep your interest, such as Rob Roy's grave at Balquidder and the cave on Loch Lomond where he hid from his pursuers.
Achray Water Bridge (Green Route)
This forest walk takes you through an area of regenerating native woodland.
Distance: 3.7km/2.3miles Duration: 2 hours
West Highland Way Rambler
Here's a walk with a difference along one of the UK's most popular long distance routes.
Distance: 14.4km/9miles Duration: 4 hours Height Gain: 30 metres/99 feet
Conic Hill from Balmaha
A short/steep climb from Balmaha to Conic Hill with wonderful views over Loch Lomond.
Distance: 3 km/1.8 miles Duration: 2 hours 30 mins Height Gain: 350 metres/1155 feet
Pine Ridge (blue route)
This walk is part of the Three Lochs Forest Drive and offers fine views.
Distance: 1.2km/0.75miles Duration: 1/2 hour
Cruach Tairbeirt Walks
An undulating woodland walk which offers excellent views.
Distance: 7.5km/4.7miles Duration: 3 hours Height Gain: 450 metres/1485 feet
Callander Crags & Bracklinn Falls
A dramatic and exhilarating walk starting in the centre of Callander.
Distance: 6.5km/4miles Duration: 2 1/2 hours
Creag an Tuirc, Balquhidder
A short but extremely rewarding walk from secluded Balquidder.
Distance: 4km/2.5miles Duration: 2 hours
Creag Noran Viewpoint (Red Route)
The walk takes you through a regenerating native woodland.
Distance: 0.8km/0.5miles Duration: 1/2 hour
Firkin Point, West Lomondside
Firkin Point is situated on the west banks of Loch Lomond.
Distance: Various Duration: Various
Loch Venachar, near Callander
This walk follows forest tracks high above Loch Venachar with spectacular views.
Distance: 6.5km/4miles Duration: 2 1/2 hours Height Gain: 140 metres/462 feet
Loch Ard Forest from Aberfoyle
A pleasant walk from Milton to Couligartan returning along the scenic shores of Loch Ard.
Distance: 17km/11 miles Duration: 5 hours Height Gain: 170 metres/560 feet
Loch Achray
This walk is part of The Three Lochs Forest Drive.
Distance: 2.5km/1.6miles Duration: 1 hour
Kirkton Glen (Breadalbane)
This high level walk gives great views down to the glen.
Distance: 4km/2.5miles Duration: 3 1/2 hours Height Gain: 890 metres/2937 feet
Helensburgh Upland Way
A short ramble through woods and along forest tracks with extensive views.
Distance: 3km/1.9miles Duration: 1 1/2 hours
Green Sound Trail (green route)
This walk takes you along the shore of Loch Drunkie.
Distance: 2.5km/1.6miles Duration: 1 3/4 hours
Glen Ogle, Breadalbane
Glen Ogle is one of the most important passes in and out of the Highlands.
Distance: 10km/6.25miles Duration: various Height Gain: 150 metres/495 feet
Duncryne Hill, East Lomondside
From the top of the hill the main focal point is no other than the beautiful Loch Lomond.
Distance: 1km/0.6 miles Duration: 15 mins Height Gain: 80 metres/264 feet
West Achray (red route)
Enjoy the diversity of Achray Forest as the trail leads you through native woodland.
Distance: 5.5km/3.4miles Duration: 2 1/2 hours
Stoneymollan Trail, Balloch
An exhilarating walk from Cardross on the Firth of Clyde to Balloch on Loch Lomondside.
Distance: 7.5km/4.7miles Duration: 3 1/2 hours
Creag na H-Lolaire
This walk is part of The Three Lochs Forest Drive.
Distance: 4.4km/2.75miles Duration: 1 3/4 hours
Allt a' Cham-ruidhe (Yellow Route)
A gentle walk, which is part of the Three Lochs Forest Drive.
Distance: 2km/1.25miles Duration: 1 hour Height Gain: 15 metres/49.5 feet
Red Sound Trail (red route)
A gentle walk, which is part of the Three Lochs Forest Drive.
Distance: 1.8km/1.1miles Duration: 1 hour
Longer Walks
The enchanting mix of lochs, woods, mountains and villages found in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs and the area's accessibility means it is ideal for year-round rambling, whatever your fitness level. Circuits can be found through all types of scenery, while the good public transport system provides many opportunities for linear walks. The unpolluted air allows lichens to grow profusely on trees and rocks and the varied habitats support a wide range of animals and birds. Many of the best walks go through glens between the mountains.
One of main attractions of the area is the number of picturesque lochs and there are many delightful walks around them. Although roads follow some of the shores, the opposite side almost invariably contains an alternative walking route through partly wooded countryside with views to the surrounding mountains. The West Highland Way follows the wild east shore of Loch Lomond, Britain's largest body of freshwater. Loch Katrine and Loch Venachar in the heart of the rugged Trossachs are other good examples.
Drymen to Balmaha
This section of the West Highland Way is an excellent intro to the National Park.
Distance: 13km/8.1miles Duration: 5 hours Height Gain: 350 metres/1155 feet
Pass of Leny
A short and in places, strenuous walk high above the Pass of Leny and Falls of Leny.
Distance: 3.25km/2.03miles Duration: 2 hours Height Gain: 164 metres/541.2 feet
Callander to Strathyre
A long, but flat walk along a disused railway.
Distance: 13.5km/8.4miles Duration: 5 hours
Glen Loin Footpath: Arrochar to Inveruglas
This walk offers stunning views of the surrounding highest peaks.
Distance: 17km/10.6miles Duration: 3 hours Height Gain: 250 metres/825 feet
Inverarnan to Loch Lomond
This walk follows the line of the West Highland Way through woodland.
Distance: 9.5km/5.9miles Duration: 3 1/2 hours
Long Distance Routes
West Highland Way
Scotland's original long distance path running from Glasgow to Fort William.
Distance: 152km/95 miles Duration: 7-10 days Height Gain: 800 metres/2650 feet
The Rob Roy Way
The Rob Roy Way is a weeks walk from Drymen to the Highland Perthshire town of Pitlochry.
Distance: 148km/92.5 miles Duration: 7 days Height Gain: 500 metres/1650 feet
Hill Mountain Walks
The first hills that many Scots climb are in this area, partly as it is so close to the towns and cities of central Scotland, but also because they are drawn to the unrivalled scenery. From Ben Lomond, Scotland's most southerly Munro, there are views over wooded lochs, with patchwork fields to the south and ranks of mountains in the north. From other peaks you can gaze down sea lochs or look into the heart of the Highlands. And, although many of Scotland's most popular summits are around Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, there are still quiet hills to escape to and plenty of wildlife to see.
Meall nan Tarmachan
Meall nan Tarmachan is one of the most commonly climbed hills in the southern Highlands.
Distance: 7km/4.4miles Duration: 3 hours Height Gain: 550 metres/49.5 feet
Ben Lui
This walk climbs one of Scotlands highest and most spectacular mountains.
Distance: 21 km/13 miles Duration: 7 hours Height Gain: 1050 metres/3465 feet
Ben Vane from Inveruglas
This walk starts at the tourist car park on the A82 by Sloy Power Station.
Distance: 12km/7.5miles Duration: 6 hour Height Gain: 950 metres/3135 feet
Ben Ledi
Ben Ledi is one of the best viewpoints in the area.
Distance: 8km/5miles Duration: 4 hours Height Gain: 760 metres/2508 feet
Ben Vorlich from Ardlui
This walk ascends one Munro, Ben Vorlich.
Distance: 10km/6.25miles Duration: 5 1/2 hours Height Gain: 1150 metres/3795 feet
The Cobbler (Ben Arthur), Arrochar Alps
Although not a Munro, The Cobbler is a hill not to be missed.
Distance: 9km/5.6 miles Duration: 4 hours Height Gain: 890 metres/2937 feet
Ben Lomond
This circular walk climbs Ben Lomond, the most southerly of the Munros.
Distance: 11km/6.9miles Duration: 5 hours Height Gain: 1000 metres/3300 feet
Ben A'an, Loch Katrine & the Trossachs
This short walk displays breathtaking views out over the Trossachs National Park.
Distance: 3.2km/2miles Duration: 1 1/2 hours Height Gain: 454 metres/1498 feet
Ben Vorlich and Stuc a' Chroin
Ben Vorlich and Stuc a' Chroin sit on the southern edge of the Highlands.
Distance: 13km/8.1miles Duration: 6 1/2 hours Height Gain: 1140 metres/3762 feet
Killin - Sron a' Chlachain - Killin
A lovely short/steep hill walk overlooking the pretty Highland village of Killin.
Distance: 5 km/3.2 miles Duration: 2 hours Height Gain: 350 metres/1155 feet
Ben Venue (Blue Route)
This Ben Venue walk involves heading west until joining the path at Gleann Riabhach.
Distance: 14km/8.75miles Duration: 6 hours


