Glen Finglas is the The Woodland Trust’s largest site, it lies at the heart of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park and is part of the The Great Trossachs Forest National Nature Reserve. It has something for everyone: a wealth of wildlife, intriguing history, and walks to suit all abilities.
This dramatic landscape has inspired a host of artists and literary greats, such as Sir Walter Scott, who set his epic poem, Lady of the Lake, here. The area is suffused with history and folklore too. For centuries, Scotland’s kings hunted here, local clans fought battles for land and power, and the legendary outlaw Rob Roy, ‘the Scottish Robin Hood’, galloped through its glens.
Access and walks
Glen Finglas has an extensive and varied network of walking routes to suit all abilities. The most popular of these are summarised below. You can find more details in leaflets and maps, and via the interactive screen at the Visitor Gateway in the Lendrick Hill car park (opening hours: April to October, 10am – 4pm). Information is also available at Visit Scotland’s Aberfoyle iCentre (tel: 01877 381221) and the Callandar iCentre (tel: 01877 330342). You can also download an app from the Great Trossachs Forest website.
Grade classifications for the trails are as follows:
Easy – Low level routes on surfaced paths over undulating terrain.
Medium – Partially surfaced paths which may have short, steep sections. Sturdy footwear is advisable.
Hard – Challenging routes with steep sections through remote areas. Suitable outdoor clothing, strong footwear, map, compass, food and drink are needed.
Brig o’ Turk Loop (easy; 3km/2 miles; 1½ hours): This walk follows a level path and boardwalks. It can be extended by 30 minutes by including the Ruskin viewpoint overlooking the waterfalls on the River Turk. There are many access points from Brig o’Turk and the various car parks. Download our leaflet (PDF 4.8M)
Little Druim Wood Play and Sculpture Trail (easy; 1.5km/¾ mile; 30 minutes): Discover surprising sculptures and exciting play features in this ancient woodland. Little Druim Wood also features a family friendly play trail (PDF, 9.5MB), see what you can find and try our quiz!
Drippan (medium; 900m/½ mile; 30 minutes): This walk through ancient semi-natural woodland offers views over Loch Venachar. There are some steep sections.
The Druim (medium; 2.5km/1¼ miles; 45 minutes): This route through woodland and open grazing land has spectacular views towards Brig o’ Turk, Lendrick Hill, Achray Forest and Ben Venue. This path is not recommended between November and April as it can be very muddy.
Lendrick Hill and Dam walk (medium; 6km/3½ miles; 2 hours: This route heads west to Glen Finglas Reservoir before returning through Brig o’ Turk. There are excellent views over Glen Finglas estate, Achray Forest and Ben Venue.
Samson’s Stone (medium; 2km/1 mile; 50 minutes): This walk begins at the Forestry Commission car park at Bochastle, close to Kilmahog, and takes you to the large boulder known as Samson’s Putting Stone. You can also combine it with a visit to a nearby Iron Age fort.
Lower Lendrick (medium; 2.5km/1¼ miles; 1 hour): This route takes in the ancient woodland of Little Druim Wood and the ruins of Drippan Farm; and offers views of the wider Trossachs.
The Great Trossachs Path (medium; 9km/5½ miles to Kilmahog; 4 hours): This path forms the spine of a wide network of trails throughout the Great Trossachs Forest and links the West Highland Way to the Rob Roy Way.
The Meall (hard; 24km/15 miles; 7 hours): This hill track climbs to an altitude of 600 metres before returning through ancient woodland pasture. This route is also used as a mountain bike trail.
Stuc Odhar (hard; 10km/6 miles; 4 hours): This challenging circular route starts with a steep climb up Lendrick Hill, before turning towards Glen Finglas Reservoir and taking in remote upland areas of the estate.
Photo credit courtesty of WTML/Mary McGillivray
