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This is a circular 4 mile walk from The Lodge, a Forestry Commission visitor centre (formally known as the David Marshall Lodge) with good views of the Mentheith Hills. You should allow 2 hours to do this walk.
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Start at the front door of the lodge. Walk down the driveway and in less than 100m, just after a slate built cottage, turn right down a footpath towards the lochan and the car park. Pass a ‘Pay & Display’ machine on your right then in less than 50m as the road veneers to the left, you should turn right and head down the path.
In a few metres, you will see a board walk on your right. Walk a further 150m keeping to your left, and head uphill past a blue waypost which is situated just before a small stone bridge. The path is a slight incline but follows the line of a burn. There’s a seat if you need one on your left. After about 500m, cross the main road which has wooden barriers at each side. This is the A821 – the road across the Duke’s Pass to Tigh Mor.
In about 300m you will see a path on your left between two blue wayposts. Continue walking alongside the road and if you look up and ahead, you should see the tramway from the slate quarries.
After about 500m, to your right, there’s a small path which if you blink and you may miss it. Carry on however and you’ll find yourself going downhill, past a blue waypost, before you reach the road. The path zig-zags gently downhill and in another 500m (roughly 8 mins) you will cross the road again.
Next you will pass a green metal barrier which leads onto a forestry track. The path soon veers to the right to run parallel to the road. There’s another track to your left in about 400m but carry on ahead and in about 1 km you’ll come to the crossroads. Turn right, downhill past a blue/red waypost and in about 400m you will see a waterfall to your right. Continue down the main track (past the mountain bike trek on your left) and in approximately 200m, you will pass the ‘Go Ape’ rope course on your right and another mountain bike trail on your left.
Continue downhill for about 300m where you’ll come to a T junction. Keep right, following the blue/red wayposts and carry on downhill. After about 300m you can cross the burn via a wooden bridge and there’s a lovely waterfall to your right.
When you’ve marvelled at the waterfall, walk past the boardwalk and turn right following the blue wayposts uphill. You’ll find yourself back roughly where you started, with the car park being only 150 m away.
Nearest Train (or tube) Station(s)
Stirling, Glasgow
