Trossachs Outdoor Activity
What has the Trossachs got? (lots of Trossachs B&B)
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The nature of the Trossachs is such that it is a great favourite for outdoor activities such as walking, cycling and mountain biking. Watersports in the Trossachs such as sailing, waterski-ing and canoeing are also catered for in the surrounding parts and many centres have been set up in the area to cater for such outdoor enthusiasts.
As wider ranging information can be found in ' Trossachs and Callander Tourist Information Scotland ' This page will concentrate on the activities in the ' True Trossachs ' area.
Trossachs Hill Walking
Ben Venue and Ben A'an are great favourites with hill walkers in the Trossachs as a comparatively small effort on each of thes bens will attain the summits and a fantastic view over the whole area. Other mountains nearby which are also rewarding are: Ben Lomond, Ben Ledi, Ben Vane, Ben More, Stobinian, Stuc a Chroin and Ben Vorlich.
Ben A'an.
2 miles from
car park south of road near Tigh Mor, 1500 ft. About 1-2 hours.
The view over the Trossachs and Loch Katrine from the summit of Ben A'an is phenomenal for it’s height. Cross the road from the car park to a path which climbs up steeply through mixed woodland and is soon accompanied by a burn on the right. The path levels out after crossing the burn by a footbridge (a).
On the left there is a viewpoint looking over the Trossachs steamer pier. The path
meanders through pines and when it emerges from the trees the conical summit of Ben Aan is
suddenly revealed ahead. 
The
path now becomes more demanding, a steep scramble up loose rock.
Pause occasionally to catch breath and enjoy the view back.
The steeper route leaves to the left and is often used by rock climbers(b), while the ‘tourist’ path continues to the top. It generally takes about an hour to reach the summit though the super-fit can do it in half this time. The highest point on the route (c) is 1,491 feet and the path ends at its twin rocky peaks each providing vast landscapes of Scotland in different directions — west over Loch Katrine past Stronachlacher at Loch Lomond to the 'Arrochar Alps' and 'the Cobbler' and south-east over Loch Achray and the Campsie Fells. This walk gets a bit busy at times - last time I was up there (18/06/01) there were about 25 people on the top!
Twice a day in summer the sound of a pipe band will drift up from the steamer Sir Walter Scott as she leaves for trips up Loch Katrine. The return is by the same path and should take little more than thirty minutes.
Ben Venue
5 mile from Loch Achray Hotel; 7 mile from Ledard Farm
Ben Venue may be ascended from (1) the Loch Achray Hotel just past the Loch Katrine road., or (2) Ledard Farm on Loch Ard (turn right at Aberfoyle).
(1) The most popular route starts from behind the Loch Achray Hotel . Follow the
forestry track, go left at the first fork and then straight ahead at a crossroads. The
wide track now becomes a path. Rejoin a forestry road for a short distance and look for a
waymarked path 
(Right). Walking uphill on the path, through forested Gleann Riabhach you come
to the forest edge where a stile leads to open moorland. Continue towards the lowest point
on the skyline, with the burn on the left. The Ledard path joins at a cairn and the path
goes right towards the twin summits of Ben Venue (700f). The splendid vista includes Lochs
Katrine, Achray and Venachar, Ben Ledi, Stuc a’ Chroin and Ben Vorlich, Ben Lawers,
the Crianlarich ‘Munros’, Ben Lomond, the Arrochar Alps, the Arran peaks and the
Lowland Kilpatrick, Campsie, Ochil and Pentland ranges, with Glasgow’s high flats
appearing beyond Strath Blane.
(2) From Ledard take the track off B829 which leads to Ledard Farm. Cross a stile and a footbridge over the Ledard Burn (Right) before reaching the farm and ascend by a path through the woods, with the burn on the right. The path emerges from the woods, crosses to the east side of the burn and veers right towards a high pass. The Loch Achray path joins (Right) at a cairn, before continuing towards Ben Venue’s twin summits.
Walking
The area abounds in walks too numerous to mention in this brief description but as a guide, some of the more pleasant and interesting Trossachs walks are:
- Loch Katrine
The best way of tackling this walk of about 10 mile or so is to take the Steamer from the Trossachs pier to Stronachlacher and then walk back by the lochside road. - Loch Achray to Brig o Turk
From the junction with the pier road, head toward Aberfoyle then turn left off road 1M after pier road as road turns south to Dukes pass. Follow track South of Loch Achray keeping to left then over bridge and return Brig o Turk by road. (6M) - Invertrossachs
Callander, take Glasgow road at Addisons newsagent. Right at mini roundabout - Invertrossachs road, ignore right turn over hump back bridge and continue along to Loch Venachar and onto private road to Invertrossachs ho. Watch for turn off road to right at a burn to follow loch side woodland track - forestry road first right to bridge then Brig o Turk. Return by car or Trossachs Trundler public transport essential. (12M) - Glenfinglas from Brig o Turk
Walk up the narrow road by tea room past graveyard on right then school house, continue to Y junction take right up hill then long descent to lochside. Follow lochside road now rough gravel, keeping left to north end of loch then steeply climbing to about 2000ft before descending and veering east then south return to lochside and same route return brig oTurk. (about 18M) - Forest walks
A variety of forest walks can be found in the Queen Elizabeth forest park. Route maps available visitor centre Dukes pass 1m from Aberfoyle.
More walks for all abilities abound in the surrounding area. Route maps from Rob Roy Centre Callander or from local book shops. Visit ' Scottish Accommodation and Trossachs and Callander Tourist Information ' for further details
Cycling
The Trossachs are a haven for the off road cyclist and all the walking routes (apart from Glenfinglas) listed as suitable for walking are suitable for average cyclists. The Glenfinglas route is steep and challenging for the more experienced and fitter cyclist.
Watersports
Loch Katrine is a public water supply and water sports other than trout fishing are not permitted.
Most other lochs are available for some form of watersports. Some of the rivers, noteably the Teith are good canoeing waters. Visit ' Loch Lomond, rossachs and Callander Tourist Information ' for further details
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Trossachs B&B, Loch Lomond, Callander Tourist information and Holiday accommodation Scotland