Achray Forest & Loch Drunkie walking and hiking route
A varied walk on good tracks with gentle gradients and attractive views.
Walk now closed until Easter 2017
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Walk Instructions
Walk now closed until Easter 2017
Start Point
The Byre Inn. From Tigh Mor, turn left and follow the A821 towards Callander. In approx 2 miles, just after a sharp right hand bend over a bridge, the Byre Inn is on your right. If you reach Brig o‘ Turk, you have gone too far.
Wayposts have chevrons rather than collars
From the further end of the car park follow a broad track past the inn itself on your right and a house on your left. In about 100m (1-2 mins), cross the Black Water on an arched bridge. Continue along the track and in approx 500m (7-8 mins) pass Achray Farm and go through a gate to a T junction at Point 1 (NN529063). You are now on the Forest Drive.
Turn left and follow the Forest Drive. In approx 300m (4-5 mins) cross a cattle grid into plantation. In a further 250m (4 mins), ignore a track on your right and in another 500m (7-8 mins), just after crossing a burn, ignore another track on your right at a distinct left hand bend. In a further 150m (2-3 mins) at Point 2 (NN533056) there is a rough track with a broken wooden barrier leading uphill to your right.
Follow this rough track uphill to a T junction in approx 100m (1-2 mins). Turn left here (a faded blue cycle route post may still be there) and continue to ascend gently - in places the track degenerates into a path. At a fork in approx 400m (6 mins) keep to the right and in a further 400m (6 mins) meet the Forest Drive again at a wooden barrier Point 3 (NN536049). Turn right here and & follow the Forest Drive to the car park & toilets at Pine Ridge in approx 400m (6 mins). NN535046.
Leave the car park with the toilet block on your right, then keep right at the fork, to follow the white/green wayposts passed some 'sound sculptures' above Loch Drunkie. After the 2nd sculpture the white marks finish and you follow green ones only. In approx 1Km (15 mins) the green wayposts go to the left – leave them and keep on the path to the right to rejoin Forest Drive in a further 300m at the 'Fisherman's carpark' – Point 4 (NN544049). Turn right along the forest drive for just over 100m (2 mins) and take unwaymarked path on the right (just after a 10 MPH sign).
This path is a little rough in places but improves as you approach the western end of the dam at the northern end of the loch in about 500m (7-8 mins). Continue on down this path for a further 400m (6 mins) to a T junction with the path which follows the southern shore of Loch Venachar. Turn left and in about 1 Km (15 mins) pass a barrier to rejoin the Forest Drive at a Cycle Route 7 signpost - Point 5 (NN537055). Carry straight on (signed 'Loch Katrine 4') & follow the Forest Drive, passing Point 2 again in approx 400m (6 mins).
From here retrace your steps to Point 1 where you turn right to pass Achray Farm and thence the Byre Inn where welcome refreshments are available.
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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.
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