Loch Venachar circuit, near Brig o'Turk

Summary

Spend a leisurely day circumnavigating Loch Venachar by a mixture of cycle paths and minor roads with good views of the water most of the way. Refreshments available at the Byre Inn near Brig o' Turk, the Brig o' Turk Tearoom and Venachar Lochside cafe.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Minor roads, shared cycle paths.

Getting there

Start

Glen Finglas car park (also signed Lendrick Hill) just east of Brig o'Turk on A821.

Public Transport

No regular bus - Stirling Council runs a bookable taxi service at bus rates, search for Demand Responsive Transport.

Start Grid Ref

NN546065

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 19.6km / 12.25 miles
Time: 4.5 - 5 hours
Ascent: 450m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (14)

Stage 1

Start from the Glen Finglas (also sign Lendrick Hill) car park just off the A821 east of Brig O'Turk, there are toilets here. The entire estate was purchased by the Woodland Trust Scotland in 1996 and various tree and wildlife regeneration projects are being undertaken in balance with the people who live and farm the land. Begin by crossing the signposted bridge, heading through the gate and bearing left on the far side. When the path reaches a fork, take the right branch, climbing steeply through the native woodland. When another junction is reached, bear right on the main path. then right again at another junction. The path is now contouring the slopes high above Loch Venachar. Ignore a path descending to the right, continuing on the mountain bike path ahead.

Stage 2

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 3

Eventually a path junction is reached with a road junction visible over to the right. Turn right here to descend to the road junction, then head straight across the main road onto a minor road that leads over an old bridge over the Eas Gobhain - the outflow of Loch Venachar.

Stage 4

Once over the stone bridge turn right for Invertrossachs and follow the minor road, passing a number of interesting properties before the shoreline of Loch Venachar is reached. This becomes increasingly wooded with a number of lovely views down the loch. Pass East Lodge and the car park up on the left to stay on the private road ahead, eventually passing the sailing club and later the Invertrossachs Scout centre and campsite.

Stage 5

At Invertrossachs turn off the road to the right following the signed cycle route 7, past a farm gate and onto a shared cycle/walking route through the mixed trees and very soon alongside the loch once more. Once past the end of the loch the route continues, eventually bearing right where it meets the rough track of the Forest Drive where there will be occasional vehicles. Follow this as it undulates through the woods until it heads downhill on more open ground with farm building ahead on the right.

Stage 6

Turn right off the Forest Drive to follow the cycle route through Achray Farm (go through the pedestrian gate and straight ahead in front of the farmhouse) to head towards Brig o'Turk. 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 at the start.

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