Great Trossachs Path 2: Trossachs Pier to Callander

Summary

Stage 2 of the Great Trossachs Path follows minor roads and forestry tracks to skirt around Loch Achray, reaching Brig o'Turk (and its famous tearoom). From here a shared mountain bike path follows higher ground above Loch Venachar to eventually finish at the town of Callander which has all facilities.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Waymarked tracks, shared mountain bike paths, and minor roads.

Getting there

Start

Trossachs pier car park.

Public Transport

Trossachs Explorer bus service serves Trossachs Pier from Aberfoyle and Callander. Callander has regular bus service.

Start Grid Ref

NN495071

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 19.6km / 12.25 miles
Time: 4.5 - 5.5 hours
Ascent: 360m (Profile)

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

This is the second part of the Great Trossachs Path - the first part runs from Inversnaid to Trossachs Pier car park. From the car park, the second part begins by heading down along the public road. After 650m turn right (usually by some wheelie bins) onto a tarred lane, soon passing a Scottish Water sign for the Loch Katrine dam. After under half a kilometre, turn left (signed 'Ben Venue') onto a path that leads to a footbridge over the Achray Water.

Stage 2

Cross the bridge and turn left on the track on the far side. When a signed track junction is reached, turn right, then left at a cross-tracks further on. Now follow the winding track through the trees. Eventually there are more open views to the left, with views to Ben A'an and Tigh Mòr - a former hotel but now a timeshare. Continue along the track as it swings right, then leave it at NN 511 054 where a constructed path turns off left between boulders. The path soon leads down to the A821 road.

Stage 3

Cross with care, then turn right to cross the road bridge and then left onto a forest track - the exit from the Three Lochs Forest Drive. The route now follows this drive/track; turn left at the cross-tracks, then bear left to stay on the main track at a fork. When Loch Achray is approached, turn right at the junction. The track now runs beside Loch Achray, and then through an open area. At a junction turn left follow the cycle route through Achray Farm (go through the pedestrian gate and straight ahead passing the farmhouse).

Stage 4

The route follows the Black Water before turning left to cross it on a lovely old stone bridge. Bear left on the far side of the bridge to follow the minor road, passing a house and the Byre Inn (open for lunch and evening meals). Continue ahead to reach the A821, turn right to follow the pavement into Brig o'Turk and pass the Tearoom on the opposite side of the road (open all day). When the pavement ends a path just to the right of the road takes you off the tarmac and through the trees. Continue straight head until the path crosses the A821 on the left and continues to the right after the gate on the far side (signed Car Parks). After a boardwalk and a short uphill section the route reaches the Glen Finglas car park.

Stage 5

From the car park take the signposted path across the footbridge. It leads to a gate on the edge of the trees - go through this and then turn left. Soon the path swings right and begins a long climb uphill through the woods. A sign on the right indicates a bench overlooking Drippan - the scant ruins of what was once a farmstead. Continue on the main path, ignoring the yellow route when it goes off to the right. The path climbs past a bench with a fine view, and then leads up to a t-junction. Turn right here; the path now contours the slopes high above Loch Venachar. Ignore a path descending to the right, continuing on the mountain bike path ahead.

Stage 6

Pass through a gate; the path continues its undulating course, eventually leading through a second gate. When it descends to a water treatment works bear left onto a track, leading down to a bridge in the woods. Once over this ignore the track right and instead follow the cycle path climbing ahead through another gate. The path bears right onto a track and then back left off it, leading through yet another gate.

Stage 7

Eventually a path junction is reached with a road junction visible over to the right. Turn left here to follow the cycle path, contouring round the base of a hill and through a gate to emerge at the track leading into the Bochastle car park. Turn left towards the car park, then right onto a path once more. This descends a zig-zag and then runs beside the road. When it meets a junction turn right, heading straight across the road onto a path that leads off on the far side. Now continue along a cycle track along the old railway line.

Stage 8

Follow the cycle path to Callander, going straight across at a farm track. At the edge of town the path bears slightly right to cross a field and emerge at the Riverside car park. From here it is just a few metres up to the main Leny Road through the town.

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