Loch Chon
Surrounded by forestry and with wonderful views of nearby hills and mountains, Loch Chon is a gem of a discovery for outdoors fans. It’s fabled that the sheltered water, located between Kinlochard and Inversnaid on the minor B829 road, has a resident kelpie (water spirit), as well as one of the world’s largest populations of faeries!
Loch Chon
The chances are you will spot fish, rather than faeries, living in the waters, however – for the loch has long been a popular destination for anglers. At Loch Chon you can fish for perch and pike all year but can only fish for brown trout between March 15th and October 6th.
Loch Chon is also popular for picnics, cycling, walking, canoeing and, increasingly, open water swimming.
There are many walking options near Loch Chon through the forest or at a higher level, such as to the summit of nearby Ben Venue. A seven-mile trail circuits the loch and reveals fine views for walkers through every season.
For off-road cyclists, especially families, the 16-mile Loch Ard Family Sculpture Trail passes Loch Chon, as well as Loch Ard, the Duchray Water and Kelty Water.
Make a stay of it
Whether you’re looking for the comfort of a campsite or the solitude of ‘wild camping’, the National Park offers plenty of places to immerse yourself in some of the most spectacular scenery in Scotland. The new Loch Chon Campsite offers remote-feel pitches but with the convenience of an allocated parking space, toilets and fresh water for washing dishes. There are wheelchair accessible pitches, too.
If you are planning to ‘wild camp’, be aware that seasonal byelaws came into effect on 1st March 2017 which affect how you can camp in some areas between March and September. During this time, you need a permit to camp or (in some locations) to stay overnight in your motorhome in these Camping Management Zones.
