loch-venachar-in-autumn-surrounded-by-forests-in-the-distance

Loch Venachar Circuit

Grading: moderate.

A challenging circuit of contrasting halves centred around the picturesque Loch Venachar. The first part is quiet road-riding along the Invertrossachs Road (NCN7) and a section along the loch shore. The second half is challenging off-roading on the Great Trossachs Path contouring through the landscape high above the loch. Starts and ends Callander.

At a glance

Description: clockwise
Distance: 24 km / 16 miles
Ascent: 132m
Type: mountain bikes, sturdy hybrids
Signage: directional, National Cycle Network (NCN7)

very green-landscape-of-trossachs-mountains-and-loch-venachar-on-the-right — Loch Venachar and the Trossachs

Route description

At the eastern end of Callander Meadows car park, find the NCN7 marker post and pass St. Kessog’s Mound. Turn right onto the A81, over the River Teith and up to a small roundabout. Turn right on Invertrossachs Road, the next 7.2km follows the quiet rural road shared with NCN7. At the obvious metal gate (blue Sustrans sign) turn right and follow the loch side path with distant views of Ben A’an’s (461m) stunning summit pyramid.

Follow The Great Trossachs Path / Forest way markers on the white gravel road, until a right turn at Achray Farm. After the farm, cross Black Water via a stone bridge, past the Byre Inn and into Brig O’Turk. Follow the A821 (an alternative path is available south of the highway) for 1km to an obvious wooden gate on the left marked Brig O’Turk Mires SSSI / Glen Finglas Visitor Centre – follow the track to the centre.

After the centre turn left, through the wooden gate and steeply uphill following The Great Trossachs Path waymarkers for c.500m until a right turn takes you onto the main path. Follow this for approx. 6km through the undulating hillside with views across Loch Venachar to the Menteith Hills. Caution – the path features many sweeping bends and is used by walkers, horses etc.

After the Bocastle car park turn left on the A821, and after 100m turn right at the NCN7 marker – follow the restored railway path for 1.8km back to Callander Meadows car park.

Points of interest

Loch Venachar
Glen Finglas and Glen Finglas Visitor Gateway
Views of Menteith Hills
Callander attractions, paths, picnic sites
Rob Roy Way – Long Distance Route and Great
The Great Trossachs Path

Facilities

Quality local refreshments are available at Brig o’ Turk (at a pub and tea room – limited opening hours out of season). Callander is well served with supermarkets, cafes, restaurants and accommodation.

Download route card

Details are current as of October 2015. Whilst the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority and its project partners have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the route card information, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority and its project partners cannot be held responsible in any way for any changes that may take place to the routes, nor for any errors in the route cards, nor for any accidents, injuries or damage sustained whilst following the routes. Cycling is a risk sport and all persons using the cycle routes do so at their own risk, acknowledging and accepting the risk of accident, injury or damage.