A pleasant circuit through mixed forestry and past pretty lochans and Loch Ard. There are wildlife sound boxes and sculptures with riddles to give plenty of interest for children and adults alike.
Summary
Forest tracks and paths with some steep sections.
Terrain
Users'
rating
1. The Loch Ard forestry car park is reached by turning left off the B829 a few miles west of Aberfoyle and following the signs on the forestry track. From the parking area go back past the track heading into the car park and follow the track straight ahead marked with a yellow marker post. Keep following the forest track, keeping right where the track forks. The route now passes a picnic table and a pretty lochan with waterlilies flowering in the summer. At the end of the lochan, the track climbs uphill, passing a lovely bench at the top before continuing through the mixed trees.
2. Eventually the route curves to the right and the first of a series of sound boxes is reached. Press the button to hear a local wildlife sound and explanation. Shortly after the first of these turn left downhill where there are another two soundboxes on the way down. Keep following the yellow waymarkers and turn right onto a wider track once the lochside of Loch Ard is reached.
3. Here there is a picnic table straight ahead and a sculpture hidden in the trees of red squirrels fighting back against the invading grey squirrel. Follow the track to the right; it keeps well away from the lochside. Turn left at the next junction to follow a loop back down to the loch. This section is slightly rougher but it has excellent views over sections of the loch and to the beautiful houses across it..
4. Follow the clear path through the trees, keeping left where a path leaves to the right. At one point, the path is directly above a cave used as a hiding place by Rob Roy, however it is not visible or accessible from the route as it is in a cliff at lochside. When the loop path emerges back onto the main track turn left.
5. On this section, there are three sculptures, the first a wooden cut out of an acorn and the second a gold eagle. Eventually hidden foxes are passed on the right hand side. Keep following the main track, ignoring a path to the right and passing a couple of houses. When the track reaches a larger track (the approach road to the car park) turn right to return to the car park and the start of the walk.
Have you found an error or is any information wrong or missing?
Please let us know by using the error report form.
