Walking in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs

Big, brutish mountains

Loch Lomond and The Trossachs became Scotland’s first National Park in 2002; (the Cairngorms became Scotland’s second, and so far only other National Park, a year later).

The Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park covers an area of 720 square miles and boasts 40 mountains over 2500 feet in height including some of Scotland’s most iconic Munro’s and Corbett’s; Ben Lomond, the craggy peaks of Ben Vorlich and Stuc a Chroin above Loch Earn, big, brutish and beautiful mountains like Ben Lui, Stob Binnien and Cruach Ardrain and the incomparable Ben Arthur (better known as The Cobbler) to name but a few.

Also within the National Park’s confines are around 50 rivers and burns, 3 National Nature Reserves, 2 Forest Parks and 22 large lochs (plus numerous smaller lochs and lochans), including Loch Lomond, Loch Katrine and Loch Venachar, all of which plays host to a huge array of wildlife.

This breathtaking scenery and wildlife attracts approximately 4 million visitors each year.

Best Loch Lomond walking books
Best Loch Lomond walking books

Scotland’s first National Park

Situated just north of Glasgow, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park was designated as Scotland’s first National Park in 2002. (The Cairngorms became Scotland’s second, and so far only other National Park, a year later).

The National Park is centred on Loch Lomond and embraces numerous hills and mountains as well as the Trossachs. It covers an area of 720 square miles and boasts 40 mountains over 2,500 feet in height including some of Scotland’s most iconic Munro’s and Corbett’s: Ben Lomond, the craggy peaks of Ben Vorlich and Stuc a Chroin above Loch Earn, big, brutish and beautiful mountains like Ben Lui, Stob Binnien and Cruach Ardrain and the incomparable Ben Arthur (better known as The Cobbler), to name but a few.

Also within the National Park’s confines are around 50 rivers and burns, 3 National Nature Reserves, 2 Forest Parks and 22 large lochs (plus numerous smaller lochs and lochans), including Loch Lomond, Loch Katrine and Loch Venachar, all of which host a wealth of wildlife.

This breathtaking scenery and wildlife attracts somewhere around 5 million visitors each year

“O ye’ll tak’ the high road, and I’ll tak’ the low road,

And I’ll be in Scotland a’fore ye,

But me and my true love will never meet again,

On the bonnie, bonnie banks o’ Loch Lomond.”

Traditional Scottish song

Northern Eye Book’s popular ‘Top 10 Walks’ series for the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs area gives walkers more than 40 of the best, tried-and-tested short, circular walks to choose from, all beautifully laid out, written by outdoor experts and illustrated with excellent photographs. 

Featured walks in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park include:

Lochside Walks

Enjoy classic walks at Luss, Balloch Castle Country Park, Loch Lomond NNR, Balmaha & Milarrochy, Sallochy Wood & Dun Maoil, Loch Katrine, Loch Ard, Loch Katrine & Loch Arklet, Inversnaid & Loch Lomond and Loch Venachar

Hill Walks & Easy Summits

Some of the best hill walks can be found at Cruach Tairbeirt, Beinn Dubh & Mid Hill, Duncryne, Conic Hill, Craigmore, Lime Craig, Ben Gullipen, Ben A’an, Callander Craig and  Beinn an t-Sidhein.

Mountain Walks

Superb mountain walks in the Trossachs include those at Ben Lomond & Ptarmigan Ridge, Ben Donich, TheCobbler, Beinn Ime & Beinn Narnain, Ben Vorlich, Caisteal & Beinn a’ Chroin, Beinn Odhar & Meall Buidhe, Stob Binnein, Ben Venue, and Ben Ledi

Useful websites

www.visitscotland.com/destinations-maps/lochlomond-trossachs-forth-valley/

www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/