| Route Name | Photo | Distance | Description |
| Wallace Monument |  | 1 miles (2 km) | This walk visits Abbey Craig hill in Stirling, home to the National Wallace Monument which commemorates Sir William Wallace, the 13th-century Scottish Knight. The tower stands on the volcanic crag of Abbey Craig where Wallace is said to have watched the army of King Edward I of England, prior to the Battle of Stirling Bridge.
The walk starts at the visitor centre car park and follows good woodland footpaths to the monument where there are wonderful views over Stirling and the River Forth to the Highland Mountains. For a fee you can climb to the top of the monument itself and enjoy even better views. After visiting the monument it's easy to extend your walk into the surrounding woodland on one of the colour coded trails. View Full Details>> |
| Plean Country Park |  | 2 miles (4 km) | Enjoy peaceful walking and cycling trails in this large country park in Stirling. In the park you will find woodlands, flower meadows, ponds, streams and the ruined 18th century Plean Country House. There are several waymarked trails to follow including a nature trail where you can look out for a variety of wildlife including birds, squirrels, rabbits and dragonflies.
The park is located just a few miles from Stirling and Falkirk. View Full Details>> |
| Carron Valley Reservoir |  | 2 miles (4 km) | Enjoy a lovely woodland trail along Carron Valley Reservoir on this easy walk near Stirling. The walk is known as the Loch Shore Trail and takes place on good waymarked paths, with a short boardwalk section at the start. There's lovely views across the large reservoir, pretty little woodland burns and lots of wildlife to look out for on the water. Keep your eyes peeled for Crested Grebe, Golden Eye, Tufted Duck and Osprey as you make your way along the trail. In the woods you may also see red deer, red squirrel and even the elusive pine marten.
The walk starts from the car park at the eastern end of the water. From here you can directly pick up the trail heading west along the reservoir. It will take you past the play areas to a lovely viewpoint overlooking the water. There's also picnic sites and a cafe near the car park for refreshments.
To continue your walking in the beautiful Carron Valley, you can enjoy a more challenging climb on the Meikle Bin Trail.
Also of interest is the fascinating Duncarron. Here you will find the complete reproduction of a fortified village from the early Middle Ages of Scotland.
You can also try one of the challenging, red graded mountain bike trails which start from the car park and take you through the woodland to the south of the reservoir. View Full Details>> |
| Palacerigg Country Park |  | 4 miles (6 km) | Enjoy miles of walking and cycling trails through this large country park in Cumbernauld. This previously uninspiring area has been transformed with the planting of thousands of native trees and shrubs. The park is now a haven for wildlife attracting roe deer, badger, fox and hare. Birdwatchers should look out for sparrowhawk, kestrel, long-eared and short-eared owl.
Palacerigg also has a collection of rare breed animals including Eriskay ponies, North Ronaldsay sheep, Shetland cattle, Guernsey goats and Tamworth pigs.
In the park you can follow 10km of nature trails which will take you through the grassland, moorland and woodland of the park. There are also water features to enjoy with several ponds and Fannyside Lochs. You can find out more about the trails and guided walks at the countryside ranger service within the park. Other facilities include a field archery course, golf course, children's play area, gift shop, cafe and picnic sites.
Palacerigg is located less than half an hour's drive from Glasgow, Motherwell, Stirling or Falkirk View Full Details>> |
| Queen Elizabeth Forest Park |  | 3 miles (5 km) | Enjoy miles of mountain bike trails and footpaths in this expansive forest in Perthshire. This 3 mile circular walk take you around the Lime Craig Trail from the excellent visitor centre in Aberfoyle. There's attractive oak woodland, waterfalls and a steep climb to Lime Craig. From the viewpoint there are excellent views of Ben Lomond, Ben Venue, Ben Ledi, the Carse of Stirling and the Campsie Fells. The area is great for wildlife too. Look out for red squirrels and crossbills as you make your way through the woods.
There's lots of other trails to try with more details from the Lodge Visitor Centre. This route is designed for walkers but there's plenty of trails for mountain bikers to try. For example you can follow the National Cycle Network Route 7 to Loch Venachar and Loch Drunkie through the Archay Forest from the centre.
If you head north west you can visit Loch Achray and the wonderful Loch Katrine.
A few miles east of Aberfoyle you will find Inchmahome Priory on Lake Mentieth. It's a special place with the 13th century ruins of the priory surrounded by woodland trails.
Just to the west of the visitor centre you can pick up the cycling and walking trails along Loch Ard.
The Rob Roy Way long distance footpath also passes through Aberfoyle so you can pick this up to head deeper into the forest. If you were to head north east along the path it would take you to Callander where you can visit the beautiful Falls of Leny and Loch Lubnaig.
If you are looking for a more challenging walk then you could climb to Ben Ledi for fabulous views over the park. View Full Details>> |
| Ben Ledi |  | 4 miles (7 km) | Climb to this popular viewpoint on this challenging walk in the Trossachs. The mountain gives fabulous views over the woodland and lochs of the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park.
There's a car park at Creag Dhubh, just off the A84, about 2 miles west of Callander. From here you can pick up the tracks to take you through woodland and then up on to the mountain peak. It's about a 2.5 climb from the car park to the 879 m (2,884 ft) summit of Ben Ledi. There's fabulous views of Loch Lubnaig and Callander, while on a clear day you can see as far as the Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle. There's also splendid views of some of the most famous mountains of the area including Ben Lawers and Ben Lomond.
To extend your exercise in the area you could enjoy a waterside cycle or walk along Loch Lubnaig and visit the delightful Falls of Leny on the way. The Rob Roy Way also passes through the area so you could futher explore the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park by picking up the trail and visiting Loch Venachar and Loch Drunkie. View Full Details>> |
| West Highland Way |  | 93 miles (150 km) | This is a fabulous long distance walking and cycling* route from Milngavie, north of Glasgow, to Fort William in the Scottish Highlands. There's stunning scenery to enjoy with Lochs, mountains, rivers and waterfalls all dotted along the route.
The route begins just outside Glasgow at Milngavie and heads north through Mugdock Country Park before reaching Loch Lomond where you enjoy a fantastic waterside section along the shores of the loch with Ben Lomond mountain making a beautiful backdrop. You continue through Glen Falloch and Strathfillan, passing the lovely Falls of Falloch, Loch Tulla, Glen Orchy and crossing Rannoch Moor. The path then takes you through the stunning Glencoe, climbing the Devil’s Staircase, before crossing the River Leven at the head of Loch Leven. The final section takes you past Lairigmor and Glen Nevis and finishes at Gordon Square in Fort William.
The route is well signposted throughout.
*For cyclists please be aware that while much of the route makes for fantastic cycling some sections are extremely challenging and are only suitable for experienced mountain bikers. Even then you will have to carry your bike over certain sections. Please see this discussion thread for information. View Full Details>> |
| Rob Roy Way |  | 79 miles (127 km) | Follow in the footsteps of Robert Roy MacGregor, famous Scottish folk hero and outlaw of the early 18th century. The walk takes you across the Southern Highland of Scotland taking in some of the most beautiful countryside in the UK. Starting from Drymen on the West Highland Way it goes north east to finish in Pitlochry.
The path passes a series of beautiful Lochs including Loch Venachar, Loch Tay and Loch Earn. You will also pass a series of spectacular waterfalls such as the Falls of Dochart and The Falls of Moness. There is also a waterside section along the River Tay with the Cairngorm mountains making a splendid backdrop. View Full Details>> |