Ledard Farm to Loch Achray

Summary

This route follows old hill paths to link Ledard Farm on Loch Àrd to Loch Achray in the heart of the Trossachs. It crosses the high, rocky slopes of Ben Venue and offers excellent views.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Path up the Ledard Glen is very muddy in places with a section of broken boardwalk requiring care. Boggy in the uppper glen. The going is then rocky and rough until good forest paths are reached which link to Loch Achray. It should be regarded as a hillwalk and full mountain clothing and equipment should be carried.

Hillwalking in Winter

Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. All route descriptions and difficulties given here are for summer conditions. See our Winter Skills page for basic information on the essential skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

Getting there

Start

Ledard Farm, Loch Àrd.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start Grid Ref

NN459022

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 10.5km / 6.5 miles
Time (summer conditions): 4 - 6 hours
Ascent: 610m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (1)

Stage 1

There is a good sized layby on the road alongside Loch Àrd opposite the track to Ledard Farm. Begin the walk along the track to the farm, which is well-signed. Before reaching the farmhouse, parts of which are very ancient, a footpath sign (signed Hill Access) marks a left turn through a gate. Follow the path across the bridge and alongside the burn to the right. It then climbs between two fences before turning to the right again to climb through oak woodland. A short distance further there is a fine waterfall.

Stage 2

Continue beside the burn and alongside a fence and felled area on your left, ignore the stile and take care on the dilapidated wooden boardwalk head (can be overgrown with bracken in summer). Pass through a gate in a deer fence. The path now climbs into fine woodland on the west side of the burn, giving some fine views back to Loch Àrd. The path is muddy in places but the beautiful deciduous trees and fine setting are compensation for this. Take care to follow the route which forks left uphill (the marker post has gone) rather than following a faint path ahead towards the burn.

Stage 3

The section up the wooded glen continues for over a kilometre until the native trees are left behind. Here the path improves as it crosses the open ground with some blocks of commercial sitka spruce plantations ahead. The burn is crossed just above a small waterfall, shortly followed by a gap in the fence next to an old high. The path now bears left but from here to the bealach it is very boggy and eroded. At one point a giant mud-slide has wiped out a section of path although it is still passable.

Stage 4

The route bears right for the final ascent to the bealach where a low ruinous fence is crossed by a stile and Ben Venue comes into view at last. Continue on the path which contours the steep mountainside to the left of a ridge-line at first. After just over half a kilometre is descends briefly into a second bealach, marked by a very large cairn. The path divides here; the branch heading steeply uphill directly ahead leads up to the summit of Ben Venue. To head for Loch Achray, however, turn right. This path crosses a flat boggy area before descending a steep, rocky zigzag into the upper reaches of Glen Riabhach.

Stage 5

The path continues down Glen Riabhach on the left side and becomes increasingly well-made. It leads through a mix of open moorland, regenerating woodland and plantations, eventually with views of Loch Achray and Loch Venachar beyond. When a forestry track is reached head diagonally across onto a path on the far side.

Stage 6

Continue downhill to reach a fork; follow the main route left here. An undulating path eventually descends to meet a track running close to the Achray Water. Turn right onto this, and then left where a marker indicates a turn to a path over the attractive bridge over the Achray Water. On the far side, turn right and follow the tarmac road. Just before this joins the public road to Loch Katrine, turn right onto another waymarked path. This soon divides - both branches lead to the Ben Venue car park on Loch Achray, though the right hand option is marginally quicker.

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