Craigmore, near Aberfoyle

Summary

This route climbs up through the woods from The Lodge Visitor Centre to a bench at a fine viewpoint overlooking Aberfoyle; to this point it is a waymarked forestry route. The description continues as a less formal path up to the summit of Craigmore for more extensive views over Loch Ard.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Waymarked forest tracks and paths to bench, then rougher, boggier unsigned path to summit.

Getting there

Start

The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre, near Aberfoyle - parking charge.

Public Transport

Trossachs Explorer bus service from Aberfoyle and Callander.

Start Grid Ref

NN520014

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 5.5km / 3.5 miles
Time: 2 - 2.5 hours
Ascent: 344m (Profile)

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

Begin the walk from The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre, the main Forestry information centre and cafe for the area; there is a charge for the car park where there is a lochan and picnic tables. Make sure you visit the lodge itself; during the spring and first half of summer there is live CCTV footage from a nearby osprey eyrie. If you see people flying past overhead, don't worry, you haven't lost your sanity - it's one of Britain's longest zipslides and part of the Go Ape attraction - more of which you will see later. There are a range of waymarked trails which begin here; our route follows the blue markers as far as the bench and viewpoint at stage 4.

Stage 2

The path - initially with waymarkers of all colours - runs along the grassy wooded ridge, soon reaching a bronze statue commemorating the 'Lumberjills' on your right - these women carried out forestry work whilst the men were away fighting in World War 2. Beyond this the path soon loops left and descends back round the southern side of the ridge. Go straight across a crosspaths, passing a seat and eventually reaching a bronze sculpture of deer; bear left here. The route now crosses a section of wooden boardwalks.

Stage 3

At the end of the boardwalk our route turns sharply left uphill - though you might want to detour ahead downhill for a short distance to see a fine waterfall. Returning to the blue-marked route, the path climbs past a bench; look up to see people whizzing by on the zip-line course. After a tiny stone bridge a junction is reached - turn right here, still following the blue markers (on the way back, the other route is used as a shortcut back to the car park). The path continues above the burn, now high above the waterfalls.

Stage 4

Eventually the path emerges at the Duke's Pass road. Cross this with care, taking the path on the opposite side. The landscape is now more open and the views more extensive. The route climbs steadily before the waymarked section ends by a bench giving great views over the Lodge, Aberfoyle and the wider forest. The waymarked walk ends here (the path ahead is the line of an old tramway) and so does the prepared path. You could turn back here, but if you don't mind the rougher going, take the muddier path off to the right uphill.

Stage 5

This climbs steeply, crossing some minor humps and boggy ground as it heads up the slopes to the west to eventually reach the bare and unmarked summit of Craigmore, only 387m but an impressive hill when seen from Aberfoyle. The summit is 700m from the bench but involves around 130m of additional ascent. At the last moment a great view opens up along Loch Àrd towards Ben Lomond.

Stage 6

The return walk is back the same way - no hardship given the great views ahead on the first section. When the junction with the tiny stone bridge is reached (mentioned in stage 3) you can bear right to shortcut back to the car park.

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