The National Park Authority is working with local communities and organisations to improve local path networks. Many of the Park's communities identify access and paths as a priority area for action.

Some recommendations for improvements from the latest round of Community Futures Action Plans are:

• Balloch and Haldane – Improve path links between Lomond Shores and Balloch Park, and improve signposting around Balloch.
• Kilmaronock – Maintain and improve existing path network, and develop new paths for the community.
• Croftamie – Construct a safe roadside path to Drymen, and develop a good variety of local path routes.
• Drymen – Improve path routes to neighbouring communities.
• Buchanan – Improve pedestrian links between Drymen, Balmaha and Rowardennan. Also create safe cycling routes.
• Gartmore – Improve local paths, and develop links to longer distance cycling and walking routes.
• Strathard – Improve paths network.
• Callander – Developing and promoting access to outdoor recreation.

This work is being guided by the National Park Authority Outdoor Access Team. Together with the National Park Ranger Service, we are providing support to a number of community path groups in Kilmaronock, Drymen, Gartmore, Strathard, Port of Menteith, Callander and Cowal.

A number of path and general access improvements have already taken place, including:

• Creation of the Gartmore to Buchlyie Railway route including a 24 metre bridge over the River Forth. The route is now complete, signed and proving extremely popular.
• Upgrade of National Cycle Route 7 link to Strathyre village.
  
• Natural Heritage Grant Scheme path projects:  Wee Wood in Gartmore, Balmaha leaflet, Torrie horse riding link, Invertrossachs Estate.
• New gates projects on the West Highland Way at Drymen, Drymen Show Field, Ledard Farm, Comer Estate and Craig of Monievreckie.
• Killin local path network signage project
• A new bridge and path at Gartocharn linking to the National Nature Reserve at Aber.
• Upgrade of Milton footpath, Strathard
• National Park parkpaths leaflets for Aberfoyle, Cowal, Killin and Callander and soon to be updated ones for Luss, Balloch and Balmaha (available for download from our publications page)
• The parkpaths activity leaflet for horse riding routes
• Improvements to Glen Ample right of way
• New access path to Bracklinn Falls, Callander
• Improvements to the Wee Wood, Gartmore including a 7 metre bridge and 425 metres of path upgrade
• Parkpaths activity leaflet for cycling routes
• Natural Heritage Grant Scheme upgrade of Carrick Castle to Ardentinny coastal path
  

Coming soon:

• Historic route, Strathard
• Gairletter strategic link
  
• Bracklinn Falls Bridge. This ambitious project continues to progress well and bridge and access path completion are on target for the end of September 2010. The bridge project is led by Callander Development Trust and its £109, 000 budget is funded by the National Park Authority, LEADER and Scottish Natural Heritage.

Working with the local communities and landowners in the Park has led to these and many other access improvements. It is hoped that over the coming years a full range of opportunities will be developed to encourage the public, both local and visiting, to experience the Park's many special qualities.