This easy forestry circuit has great views over the core of the Trossachs, with its lochs and tree-clad hills. Part of the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, the route has fine views of Ben A'an across Loch Achray and also of Ben Venue, a popular peak above Loch Katrine.
Good forest tracks and paths, gentle climbs.
None to start.
Leannach Forestry car park, off Duke's Pass.
Start from the Leannach car park signed on the right hand side of the road, on the first uphill section when heading from Loch Achray to Aberfoyle via the Duke's Pass. From the car park walk past the vehicle barrier and along the track towards the forest. For a while the track follows an area of cleared forest with good views across to the right of the prominent peak of Ben A'an and also Ben Venue straight ahead. Ignore a turning to the right which is the return route and follow the track ahead.
Keep straight on when a track joins from the left and keep heading directly towards Ben Venue. The forest here is part of the massive Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, designated by the Forestry Commission in 1953 to mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth. It stretches from the east shore of Loch Lomond to the hills of Strathyre and attracts over a million visitors a year.
The forestry track eventually starts to head downhill with glimpses of Loch Achray and the baronial towers of Tigh Mhòr Trossachs beyond. This palatial building was once the grand Trossachs Hotel and played host to Queen Victoria and the Beatles. Now it is divided into holiday apartments. Keep following the track as it enters the forest and crosses a stream on a bridge.
Soon after the bridge a junction is reached. Here the path to Ben Venue leaves to the left. We take the downhill route to the right, next to some boulders. The path drops down through the trees. At the bottom keep straight on ignoring the turning to the left. At the next junction turn right and keep following the track which crosses back over the stream and then starts to head uphill.
The track now heads through an area of native, broadleaved trees and then an area of cleared ground with good views. Ignore a number of tracks and paths off to the left and stay on the main track. From this section Tigh Mhòr Trossachs can be seen more clearly as well as Loch Achray. The building's name translates from the Gaelilc as Big House Trossachs, which seems a fair enough description.
The track heads more steeply uphill and then bears right. Eventually it turns to the left and rejoins the outward track. Turn left here to retrace your steps to the car park and the start of the walk.
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