The Great Trossachs Path

At a glance:

• Length: 30 miles (48km)
• Start/finish: The Great Trossachs Path starts/finishes at Callander/Inversnaid (on Loch Lomond)
• How to get there: Regular public buses depart from Stirling to Callander; trains and buses depart from Glasgow to Tarbet, where a boat bus service operated by Cruise Loch Lomond crosses Loch Lomond to Inversnaid

 Follow the T-tree signs to stay on The Great Trossachs Path!

Further information:

The Great Trossachs Path, one of Scotland’s great trails, is a 30-mile long route running between Callander in the east to Inversnaid and Loch Lomond in the west, and also passing through Brig o’ Turk, the Loch Katrine area and Stronachlachar. The path connects the Rob Roy Way with the West Highland Way and also links to the Three Lochs Way, so long-distance walkers will now be able to undertake an extraordinary journey across the centre of Scotland. But it’s also accessible to cyclists (connecting, among others, with the NCN7), and has numerous smaller walks, which should appeal to families, or those just looking for an amazing place to take a weekend stroll.

Spurring from The Great Trossachs Path are 165km of short, long and circular routes of various lengths and challenges. And each has its own unique character. For more details of all the walking opportunities in the area download The Great Trossachs Path leaflet.

A new Great Trossachs Forest App is available giving smart phone users a wealth of information about the area’s wildlife, geography and history.

Facilities along The Great Trossachs Path:

Information points

• Glen Finglas Visitor Gateway, Lendrick Hill car park, near Brig o’ Turk
• RSPB Inversnaid Visitor Gateway, Garrison car park, Inversnaid

Public toilets (listed in order from Callander to Inversnaid):

• Callander station road car park (across the road from Callander Meadows car park)
• Glen Finglas Visitor Gateway, Lendrick Hill car park, just outside Brig o’ Turk
• Trossachs Pier car park
• RSPB Inversnaid Visitor Gateway
• The Inversnaid Hotel is a ‘comfort partner’ and so it provides public toilet facilities

Cafes, pubs and restaurants along The Great Trossachs Path (listed in order from Callander to Inversnaid):

• Various in Callander town centre
• The Lade Inn, Kilmahog
• Brig o’ Turk Tearoom
• The Byre Inn, Brig o’ Turk
• Loch Achray Hotel
• Brenachoile cafe, Trossachs Pier
• The Pier cafe, Stronachlachar
• Inversnaid Bunk House
• Inversnaid Hotel

Camping & Accommodation

There are currently no designated campsites along The Great Trossachs Path and some sections are subject to the new Camping Byelaws (you can wild camp outside the byelaws management zones). Hostel facilities are available in Callander (Bridgend Hostel) and Inversnaid (Bunkhouse).

Sections:

Each section of The Great Trossachs Path is slightly different. Here are some highlights:

Inversnaid Pier to/ from RSPB Inversnaid Visitor Gateway

• Distance: 1.2 miles/ 2 km
• Description: Passing by the beautiful Arklet falls which have been  an inspiration to many poets, this section of The  Great Trossachs Path offers stunning views over  Loch Lomond. The RSPB Inversnaid Visitor Gateway provides local information as well as a public toilet.
• Terrain: The path is narrow with steps and some  boggy sections. There is a small section on the  public road. Cyclists are advised to use the public  road for this section of The Great Trossachs Path.
• Refreshments: Route passes by Inversnaid Hotel and the Inversnaid Bunk house.

RSPB Inversnaid Visitor Gateway to/ from Stronachlachar

• Distance: 3.8 miles/ 6km
• Description: Walking along the rugged open hillside is an  exhilarating experience. This is one of the  newest sections of the woodland corridor  within The Great Trossachs Forest NNR.
• Terrain: A well made path. There are a  couple of very short but steep sections.
• Refreshments: The Pier cafe at Stronachlachar.

Stronachlachar to/ from Trossachs Pier

• Distance: 12.4 miles/ 20 km
• Description: This stunning lochside journey has inspired  artists and writers for hundreds of years. The  story of this landscape continues today with  a new forest in the making- over a million  native trees have been planted here.
• Terrain: tarmac single track road along the lochside.
• Refreshments: The Pier cafe at Stronachlachar and Brenachoile Cafe at Trossachs Pier

Trossachs Pier to/ from Glen Finglas Visitor Gateway, near to Brig o’ Turk

• Distance: 6 miles/ 9.7 km
• Description: Dense woodland and the picturesque village of Brig  o’ Turk offer a variety of sights and sounds along this  section.
• Terrain: Mostly on forest tracks with short sections  on roadside pavements and a narrow boardwalk.
• Refreshments: Brenachoile Cafe at Trossachs Pier, The Byre Inn, Brig o’ Turk or the Brig o’ Turk Tearoom.
• The Glen Finglas Visitor Gateway provides local information as well as a public toilet.

Glen Finglas Visitor Gateway, near Brig o’ Turk to/ from Kilmahog

• Distance: 5.4 miles/ 8.6 km
• Description: Passing through ancient woodland, open hills and newly emerging trees- there is so much  nature to experience along this section.
• Terrain: Well made off road path for the whole section. If cycling take care as there are some short steep sections.
• Refreshments: Byre Inn or Brig o’ Turk Tearoom in Brig o’ Turk or The Lade Inn at Kilmahog

Kilmahog to/ from Callander

• Distance: 1.2 miles/ 2km
• Description: This section follows the old railway line from Callander and passes through farmland and the  outskirts of the town.
• Terrain: Mostly tarmac- following the old railway line.
• Refreshments: The Lade Inn, Kilmahog. Numerous options in Callander.