Glen Ogle Trail, Lochearnhead

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Summary

Very much of walk of two contrasting halves, this circular route climbs up to the old railway line from Lochearnhead, following the line - now a cycle path - to head through Glen Ogle high above the floor of the glen. The return leg described is a total contrast - it is very boggy, overgrown in places and requires careful route finding, running close to the line of an old Military Road. If the rough going puts you off, you could return by the outward route.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Excellent path on cycle track, one steep section climbing up to it, but the return route has been badly neglected; it is very boggy, overgrown in places and requires careful navigation.

Public Transport

C60/S60 Callander - Killin bus stops at Lochearnhead.

Start

Lochearnhead carpark just off A85. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 10.5km / 6.5 miles
Time: 3 - 4 hours
Ascent: 402m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NN593237

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (11)

Stage 1

Start from the car park (with toilets) by the A85 opposite the Watersports Centre in Lochearnhead. Head along the A85 towards the village, passing the hall on the right, and crossing the Ogle Burn on a footbridge. At the junction with the A84 cross the road and head right, soon passing under the old railway line to St Fillans. After this turn left up a track signed for a Scout Station, then branch right onto a small path signed for the Glen Ogle Trail. This climbs steeply, passing through a kissing gate. The route uphill to the line of the old railway line is steep and can be muddy and eroded in places, but is easy to follow. As the path emerges from the larger trees, a viaduct on the St Fillans line can be seen below. When the path reaches the tree-lined cycle path along the old railway line, turn right onto it.

Stage 2

This route is now part of the Sustrans national cycle network and of the Rob Roy Way long distance path, but it's also a popular day ride and bikes can be hired from Killin. Although the route climbs, the gradient is so gentle that you hardly notice on the easy going path. There are good views back over Lochearnhead.

Stage 3

Keep following the railway line passing streams and a couple of cattle grids in places. This area looks particularly good in the autumn when the trees are ablaze with different colours. Eventually the route crosses the impressive Glen Ogle Viaduct.

Stage 4

Continue along the rail line until a signpost and stile on the right indicate the start of the Old Military Road stretch back to Lochearnhead. This offers much rougher going; if you want to avoid the bogs it is best to return back down the railway the way you came. For the complete circuit, cross the stile and follow a path through the bracken, soon crossing a wooden bridge.

Stage 5

The path now heads downhill, and the surface is often very wet. It soon joins the line of the old military road with a couple of fine old stone bridges, although the path remains wet in places.

Stage 6

About a third of the way back down the glen the path reaches an area which was affected by landslides in 2004. After heavy rain, two landslips sent tonnes of mud and debris down onto the A85 trapping 57 motorists between the two slips. Rescue teams spent three hours airlifting the trapped people to safety - luckily no one was injured. The route of the trail through the landslipped area is very muddy and unclear. Continue through the trees; eventually the path becomes clearer and drier, running closer to the burn.

Stage 7

Another more open stretch is reached and eventually the path climbs up to reach the busy A85 road. Turn right very briefly, then cross with care at the sign and take a path off the far side of the road. There are occasional marker posts; the path turns right, crossing a grassy area and then boggy woodland. After this the path becomes drier - keep on to reach a stile. Cross the field to another stile opposite, then turn left to the corner, and then right to cross a burn. The path now contours the grassy slopes, with occasional marker posts. Pass through a gap in a stone wall, then through a gate.

Stage 8

Continue down the glen, aiming left of the large barn; the path crosses another burn then keeps in the field above the barn, following the telegraph poles for a time. After another post the path crosses another burn then reaches a fork; take the right branch. After yet another burn bear diagonally left across the grassy field on a faint path.

Stage 9

When a a post is reached there's another small burn crossing and the path slopes downhill, passing a gate. At the far corner cross a stile into the trees. The path now leads through the woods, crossing another burn and contouring before finally descending to a footbridge over the river. Cross this and head left on the far side, soon passing through a pedestrian gate into a field (usually with cattle). Bear left in the field to join a track, finally passing through a kissing gate to the right of a farm gate to reach the main road. Now turn left, retracing your steps under the railway bridge and then left at the road junction to return to the car park.

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