The Duke's Trail, near Aberfoyle

This waymarked circuit is named after the Duke of Montrose who once owned the estate here, it climbs gently through the pine forest before reaching open views and native woodland.

Terrain

Waymarked forest tracks and paths, steep in places.

Public Transport

None to start; steep path up to the Forest Lodge from Aberfoyle village (bus).

Start

The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre, near Aberfoyle - parking charge. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

The Duke's Trail is currently closed due to flood damage. Begin the walk from The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre, the main Forestry Commission 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 of the Duke's Trail.

Stage 2

The path - initially with waymarkers of all colours - runs along the grassy wooded ridge, soon reaching a bronze statue commemorating the 'Lumberjills' - the women who carried out the forestry activities 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 - continue straight on here (ignoring the left turn which also has a blue marker as it is the return route).

Stage 3

After a bench turn left and soon pass a play area amongst the trees and continue straight ahead at the next junction to soon reach a wooden footbridge. Cross this to get to a junction of paths. The main trail (waymarked in blue and red) goes left here, but you can first detour along the path straight ahead to visit the Red Squirrel hide. There are feeders by the hide and if you are quiet there is every chance of spotting one of the Highland's cutest creatures. To continue the walk return to the main track uphill, eventually turning left at a junction (Cycle Route 7 marker).

Stage 4

This track continues a long and gradual climb up the hill. Part way up the rest of the 'Go Ape' attraction is passed - a network of rope-bridges, death-slides, climbing nets and rope ladders linking up the trees. The track bends to the right a little here and continues the ascent. Turn left at a cross roads of forestry tracks and soon there are more open views across the glen.

Stage 5

The route descends to the A821, cross this with care and follow the path on the far side, crossing a footbridge. Here the path follows an old drove route used in past time to take cattle to market. The path climbs through heather and a mix of young trees with some good views ahead once the route turns to head down the glen. The path can get boggy in places. Keep straight on downhill (blue waymarker) where a path goes off to the right and soon the route re-crosses the A821 Duke's Pass road.

Stage 6

On the far side the path follows the edge of a gorge, with glimpses of the water visible through the trees. At the junction turn left and then right to follow a boardwalk - look out for the mirrored sculptures hidden in the trees. Soon the bronze deer are reached again, bear right here to retrace the outward route back to the start - for a steep shortcut take the next path on the right which leads directly back up to the the Lodge.

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