Lime Craig circuit, near Aberfoyle

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This fine waymarked route climbs up through the forest to Lime Craig - a fine viewpoint on the Highland Boundary fault. The route begins at The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre, an information and cafe run by the Forestry Commission. It takes in a wildlife hide, fine oakwoods, commercial forestry, high waterfalls and good views.

Terrain

Waymarked forest tracks and paths, very 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

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 red markers of the Lime Craig 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 junction with a bronze sculpture of deer. Go left here.

Stage 3

Pass a metal sculpture and then cross a wooden boardwalk across a marshy area; keep right at the junction beyond. The path now descends to a beautifully wooded dell. To the left is a bench beside the stream - and beyond it is an impressive double waterfall. Bear right briefly downstream then cross the footbridge marked as part of National Cycle Route 7. On the far side of the bridge reach a main cross-paths junction.

Stage 4

The main trail (waymarked in 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). 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.

Stage 5

When a cross-roads of tracks is reached turn right. This route spans the Highlands Boundary Fault - the dividing line between the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands. The climb ends at a more open area beneath a high crag - Lime Craig - formerly quarried. The route turns sharp right here onto a footpath and begins its descent, but if you have the energy you can detour to the top of the crag to a fine viewpoint.

Stage 6

To do this, following a clear path (signed 'Viewpoint') which climbs steeply across the slope to the left of the crag onto the heather moorland. It then swings right between a pair of gateposts to join a track. Turn right to complete the ascent to the top of the hill. There was once a communication mast here but all that remains is a concrete platform - ideal for a picnic on a fine day. The views are excellent and perfectly illustrate the Highland Fault, with the craggy hills of the Trossachs to one side and the fertile plans stretching away to the Campsies and Fintry Hills on the other. Return back down the track and path to the main trail beneath the crag.

Stage 7

You are now back on the red route. The path descends very steeply through the woodland. The route is very straight - it follows the line of a wagonway built in the 1800s to carry the limestone down from Lime Craig to the kilns in the glen below. Take care and pause to admire the views over Aberfoyle. At a track continue straight on (following the red markers), steeply downhill until you reach another forest track at the bottom where you turn right.

Stage 8

After 600m take a turn on the left at the red waymarker. This leads across a footbridge and then follows the red route up to a larger path with a signpost; this time, turn right. At the next two junctions bear left - keeping an eye out for the red waymarkers and passing a play area for children. Then turn right to return to the junction with the deer sculpture from early in the walk. Here finally turn left to follow the path back up along the ridge to the Lumberjill and the Lodge.

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Lime Craig circuit, near Aberfoyle

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