The second stage of the Rob Roy Way climbs gently through the forests of the Trossachs beneath the Menteith Hills before descending - with grand views - to Loch Venachar. The stage ends at the bustling town of Callander, often dubbed the Gateway to the Highlands.
Forest tracks, minor roads, and paths.
Aberfoyle and Callander are both served by bus.
Main car park (with Scottish Wool Centre), Aberfoyle.
The stage begins from Aberfoyle's large car park near the Woolen Mill. Begin the walk by heading up to the Main Street, turning left and then right onto the Duke's Pass A821 road, signed for Callander; there is a pavement. Follow the road uphill as it bends right, and then left. Just beyond the edge of town, turn right onto the signed cycle route. Follow the cycle route until it meets a forestry track, then turn right.
The track passes above the Dounans Centre, seen off-route to the right; keep straight ahead along the track, with forestry on the left, and later the golf course on the right. There are superb open views out towards the Campsies and, looking back, Ben Lomond. Keep ahead when a track joins in from the left, and then turn left at the next junction. The route now climbs gently northeast through the plantations.
When the track reaches a gate, use the pedestrian gap in the fence to the left. This leads onto a section of footpath that runs parallel to the track at first; it can be muddy in places. Soon the track ends; continue on the path up a narrow glen and then through a dense section of conifers. The forest is finally left behind at a gate and stile over a wall. Continue across the open ground ahead, crossing a burn at one point.
From the ford the path climbs slightly left, soon reaching a gate in a wall and then winding uphill through trees before descending, passing a bench. There are views to Lochan Allt a'Chip Dhuibh and soon the route passes the left (NW) shore of the loch before reaching a forestry track. Turn right along the track, keeping straight ahead at the next junction. The track now descends with superb views over Loch Venachar and Ben Ledi.
Keep on the descending track ahead at another fork to eventually follow the track down past a bench to reach the minor road at Loch Venachar. Turn right here, following the road alongside the loch shore at first before emerging at a junction with an old stone bridge on your left. Do not cross the bridge, instead continue along the road ahead for a further 300m to reach the signed entrance to Coilhallan Wood on the right. Turn right here, forking right to avoid the car park and follow the track past a vehicle barrier. The route is signed for Ben Gullipen and Loch Rusky.
The track climbs through the wood, larches mixed with some old and some dead Scots pines. The track eventually begins to descend, with views of a windfarm ahead and down to Callander, before ending at some boulders. Take the footpath to the right here, soon leading to a signed junction. Turn left (SP Callander) and follow the path until it emerges on the A81 road.
Turn right along the road, then left on a surfaced footpath downhill. Keep straight ahead across a walled lane and down along the edge of the playing fields. A footbridge is then reached over the River Teith; cross this and keep ahead up a street beside a church to reach the main road in the centre of Callander. Turn left along this towards the heart of the town.
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