Discover the enchanting woodlands, sparkling lochs, and dramatic hills of the Trossachs with this selection of 15 short walks, specially curated to showcase the region’s most captivating scenery and historic heart, from tumbling waterfalls at Bracklinn Falls and panoramic vistas atop Ben A’an to tranquil forest paths and the legendary haunts of Rob Roy. 

Designed for easy, accessible exploration, every route in this guidebook can be completed in under three hours, making it the perfect companion for families, new walkers, or anyone keen to experience the wild beauty and folklore of Callander, Aberfoyle, and the wider Trossachs.

• Each of the 15 Trossachs walks features clear, easy-to-follow route descriptions and Ordnance Survey mapping, with practical information on facilities, parking, and route highlights to ensure your adventures are enjoyable and stress-free, from riverside rambles and woodland trails to breezy lochside paths and rewarding hilltops.
• All routes can be walked year-round, needing no specialist gear, and are designed as circular or out-and-back walks along well-maintained paths, forest tracks, and shared cycleways, many with excellent signage and waymarking throughout the national park.
• Discover the region’s classic sights: Bracklinn Falls and Scout Pool, Callander Crags, Loch Katrine, Ben A’an, Ben Venue, and the mystical Doon Hill and Fairy Knowe, as well as lesser-known gems such as Lochan Spling, Little Fawn Waterfall, and the peaceful shores of Loch Ard.
• Start your walks from the welcoming towns of Callander and Aberfoyle, both ideal bases with a choice of B&Bs, hotels, and campsites, from lively village centres to secluded wild camping spots within the forest, perfect for those seeking a taste of wilderness overnight.
• Practical travel options mean the Trossachs are easy to reach from Glasgow and Stirling by public transport, with new, summer-only Explorer buses connecting the area’s most scenic routes and making car-free adventures simpler than ever (please note: popular lochside car parks can fill quickly during school and bank holidays).

Part of Cicerone’s trusted Short Walks series, this guide to the Trossachs, Callander and Aberfoyle brings together everything you need for a memorable day out in one of Scotland’s most celebrated landscapes. Whether you’re a local, a day-tripper, or planning a longer stay, this guide unlocks the best of the Trossachs at an easy, enjoyable pace, inviting you to explore, discover, and let the spirit of the Highlands lead the way.

15 Short Walks in the Trossachs – Callander and Aberfoyle: Quick Facts

Location: The Trossachs, Callander and Aberfoyle, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, Scotland, UK
Total walks: 15 selected short walks
Typical duration: Under 3 hours each (plus one challenge route)
Distance per walk: 3–14km (see guide for details)
Walk type: Easy day walks on circular or out-and-back routes
Difficulty: Easy to moderate; low to midlevel, well-maintained paths
Navigation: Ordnance Survey mapping and clear, step-by-step route descriptions
Highlights: Bracklinn Falls, Callander Crags, Falls of Leny, Loch Katrine, Ben A’an, Ben Venue, Primrose Hill, Doon Hill and Fairy Knowe, Loch Lubnaig, Lendrick Hill, Loch Ard, and more
Best season: Walkable all year round (woodland flowers in spring, colourful forests in autumn, waterfalls impressive after rain)

Author Highlight

"Romantically known as Rob Roy Country, where folk hero Rob Roy MacGregor was born, ruled as clan chief and went on the run, this region of Scotland and the outlaw himself were brought into public imagination by the popular writing of early 19th-century poet and author, Sir Walter Scott. Four of his famous works relate to the Trossachs – The Lady of the Lake, Waverley, Rob Roy and A Legend of Montrose – using specifically named and identifiable places as settings for his fictional scenes." 

- Katie Featherstone, author of 15 Short Walks in the Trossachs - Callander and Aberfoyle

Using this guide

Introduction

Walking around Callander, Aberfoyle and the Trossachs

Things to see

Where to stay

Travel

The walks

1. Bracklinn Falls and Scout Pool

2. Three Callander Bridges

3. Callander Crags

4. East Callander Circular

5. Falls of Leny

6. Loch Lubnaig and Strathyre Forest

7. Lendrick Hill and Glen Finglas

8. Loch Katrine and Primrose Hill

9. Creag Noran and Archray Water

10. Ben A'an

11. Challenge route: Ben Venue

12. Doon Hill and Fairy Knowe

13. Lochan Spling

14. Little Fawn Waterfall and Lime Craig

15. Loch Ard and Lochan a’ Ghleannain

Useful information

Seasons

This book’s lower-level routes are beautiful at any time of year, but wild flowers are best in late spring and the trees are most colourful in autumn.

Centres

Callander, Aberfoyle and the Trossachs around Loch Katrine.

Difficulty

Within this book there are routes suitable for all abilities, often with the option to shorten or avoid more difficult ground. Follow the instructions for straight-forward navigation.

Must See

Loch Katrine, Loch Achray, Ben A’an and Ben Venue in the heart of the Trossachs. Waterfalls including Bracklinn Falls, the Falls of Leny, Little Fawn and Ruskin Viewpoint. Viewpoints along the Highland Boundary Fault, particularly Callander Crags and Lime Craig. The Great Trossachs Forest and its wildlife, including red squirrels.

January 2025

Aberfoyle iCentre

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