Loch Katrine Sluices and the Bealach nam Bo walking and hiking route

A pleasant circuit to the Loch Katrine dam and with an optional spur to climb up to the Bealach nam Bo (Pass of the Cattle).

Walk Instructions

At the foot of the drive turn right and follow the road to the T junction for Loch Katrine in approx 400m (6 mins).

Keep left here and continue along the road to the Ben Venue car park which is on the right in another 300m (4½ mins). Two paths lead from the car park - one on the left with no wayposts the other on the right with blue ones. It does not matter which you follow as they meet in about 400m (6mins).

At the junction turn left (if you followed the left hand path) or right (if you followed the right hand one). The path runs downhill following blue wayposts, crosses a boggy section on a board walk and in 300m (4½ mins) briefly touches the road to the Loch Katrine pier at Point 1 (NN500067).

Turn left along the private road to the Loch Katrine sluices, following signs for ‘Ben Venue Hill Path'.

In 600m (7 mins) at Point 2 (NN495065) take the path on the left still signed ‘Ben Venue Hill Path', and cross the Achray Water by an arched bridge. In approx 100m (1 min), you will come to a T junction, turn right here and follow the track running beside the Achray Water.

In approx 300m (4 mins) you will arrive at Point 3 (NN493064) where a path on the left heads up hill, signed ‘Ben Venue Hill Path'.

3a - Shorter Walk

If you want to see the Loch Katrine dam, carry straight on along the track for approx 350m (4 mins) & then retrace your steps to Point 3.

Follow the Ben Venue Hill Path uphill, it climbs quite steeply through some beech woods and then drops to a T junction at Point 4 (NN494060).

Turn left here, and descend gently with a burn on your right. In 300m (4 mins) ignore the track on the right and carry straight on. In about 400m (5 mins) come to a T junction at Point 5 (NN499063).

Turn right here and follow the track down to the Achray Hotel in approx 450m (6mins). Carry on past the hotel to the main road, turn left and then walk back along the road to Tigh Mor.

3b - Longer Walk

From Point 3 carry straight on to the end of the track in approx 350m (4 mins), pass over the stile and follow a sometimes boggy path to a burn which you cross in about 700m (9 mins).

In a further 100m (1-2 mins) cross another burn after which the path starts to ascend, past two distinct boulders on the left and, shortly afterwards, another on the right before passing through a gap (old gateway) in the fence, which runs down to the lochshore, in another 500m (6 mins).

From here you can clearly see the Bealach nam Bo ahead of and above you - the notch in the ridge with the boulder field below and a solitary ash tree silhouetted against the sky behind. The path now becomes slightly steeper and in places is quite faint - but keep heading towards the boulder field through which the path eventually winds. It is quite rough in places and, in the wet, can be slippery so you may need to use your hands for balance.

In about 11 mins you reach the pass at Point 6 - (NN481076). The best views can be had by clambering up the knoll to your right (2 mins).

Retrace your steps to Point 3 and continue as for walk 3a.

Disclaimer: This route was correct at time of writing. However, alterations can happen if development or boundary changes occur, and there is no guarantee of permanent access. These walks have been published for use by site visitors on the understanding that neither HPB Management Limited nor any other person connected with Holiday Property Bond is responsible for the safety or wellbeing of those following the routes as described. It is walkers' own responsibility to be adequately prepared and equipped for the ‎level of walk and the weather conditions and to assess the safety and accessibility of the walk.