Distance (km) | Ascent (metres) | Number of days | |
---|---|---|---|
45 | 1165 | 2 - 3 | |
Start: Inversnaid | Finish: Callander | ||
Linked to other Scotland’s Great Trail(s): Rob Roy Way West Highland Way |
Route type/direction
Linear, linking Inversnaid with Callander.
Can be walked/cycled in either direction: Inversnaid to Callander is west to east, or vice versa.
Overview
The Great Trossachs Path links Loch Lomond in the west with the Trossachs at Inversnaid, passing through Brig o’ Turk, the Loch Katrine area and Stronachlachar. At Inversnaid, cyclists are encouraged to use the road to/ from the pier whereas walkers can take the trail leading to/ from the Rob Roy car park. The path connects the Rob Roy Way with the West Highland Way and also links to the Three Lochs Way, so long-distance walkers can fully explore the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Linked with The Great Trossachs Path are many short, long and circular routes of various lengths and challenges – from lochside paths, woodland trails to hilltop vistas.
Highlights
- spectacular views around the lovely Loch Katrine
- ancient woodlands, alive with birdsong in spring
- villages of Brig o’ Turk, Stronachlachar and Inversnaid
- the UK’s largest National Nature Reserve – the Great Trossachs Forest: scroll down for the free app
Be aware
- steep sections (especially for cyclists) on the Brig o’ Turk to Callander section
- walking around Loch Katrine is on tarmac (single-track private road)
- public transport and overnight accommodation are currently limited
The challenge
Transport to/from the route needs advance planning: returning to your start position via public transport can only be achieved via Demand Responsive Transport.
The section between Brig o’ Turk and south Loch Achray is subject to the National Park camping byelaws that apply between March and October. In this zone, wild camping is only permitted only in designated areas and needs to be pre-booked in advance.
The Great Trossachs Path is suitable for beginners. Waymarking is good, the route is relatively short and steep sections are fairly limited. Apart from one short muddy section at Inversnaid, the quality of the path surface is good. The longest section between facilities is around the north shore of Loch Katrine. However there is an option to skip this section by sailing on the Steamship Sir Walter Scott.
Accommodation
There are plenty of options in Callander, especially B&Bs and hotels.The options for overnight accommodation in Brig o’ Turk, Stronachlachar and Inversnaid are currently much more limited. Click here for eco-lodges on Loch Katrine with daily rates (in 2018) from £40 per night. There are also some tent pitches on Loch Katrine.
The section between Brig o’ Turk and south Loch Achray is subject to the National Park camping byelaws that apply between March and October. In this zone, wild camping is permitted only in designated areas and needs to be booked in advance: see this page. Elsewhere, wild camping is legally allowed if practised responsibly under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
Support services
None at present
Public transport
To reach Inversnaid, the easiest method is to take a train from Glasgow Queen Street to Tarbet and then take a Waterbus across Loch Lomond to Inversnaid: in 2017 the Waterbus season was April to October. Out of season, the only options are taxi or Demand Responsive Transport.
To reach Callander, first go to Stirling (by bus or train from Edinburgh or Glasgow), then take a First Scotland East bus (number 59, roughly hourly) from Stirling to Callander. There is limited public transport in the area, but Demand Responsive Transport can provide you with something approaching a taxi service for the price of a bus fare, but must be booked ahead.
For details, visit Traveline Scotland, or, for the entire UK, Traveline. For travel from anywhere to anywhere, try Rome2Rio.
Download the Great Trossachs Forest App
Great Trossachs Forest App | Download |