This waymarked walk from Aberfoyle leads visits the attractive forest loch with the unusual name of Lochan Spling. There are several sculptures to help maintain interest.
Summary
Easy forest tracks throughout; almost level.
Terrain
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1. Start from the main car park in Aberfoyle, at the end furthest from the Wool Centre. Turn left onto the minor road over the old stone hump-backed bridge over the River Forth. The road leads to a modern housing estate. After a short distance take a turning on the right - waymarked in blue (like the rest of this route) and also signposted for Inchrie Castle (the Covenanter's Inn). This latter hotel is a very strange piece of architecture.
2. The road reaches a fine arts and crafts style house before becoming a rougher forest track. Continue along it until a signposted junction; turn right here (signposted Milton Car Park). Soon a path goes off to the right - this is an optional loop visiting a viewpoint and rejoins the walk further on. Continuing on the track, the very attractive shores of Lochan Spling - deep in the forest - are reached beside a carved wooden bench. Out in the loch is a metal sculpture of a Pike.
3. The track continues beside the loch, soon reaching a second sculpture - this time illustrating a dragonfly. Beyond, swing right away from the loch, eventually reaching another signed junction. Turn left here - signed Kinlochard (the right branch leads to another car park at Milton and the road back to Aberfoyle). The third and final sculpture is soon reached - an osprey, the final and highest link in the food chain.
4. At the next junction, the route turns left (signed Aberfoyle, 1.5 miles). It is possible to extend the walk from here by instead turning right and following the waymarks to make a higher return across the forested flanks of Garbeg Hill, with good views over the forest. Otherwise, the track continues with more glimpses of Lochan Spling over to the left. The outward route is rejoined at a cross-roads. Keep straight on, passing the Inchrie Castle once more on the way back to Aberfoyle.
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