Lochan Spling walking and hiking route

Lochan Spling is a secluded lochan nestling in a hollow in Loch Ard Forest and surrounded by birch woodland. The circuit described is an easy walk on level ground and passes a selection of locally produced sculptures.

Walk Instructions

Start Point

Forestry Commission car park at Milton. From Tigh Mor, cross over the Dukes Pass to Aberfoyle. In the village turn right at the T junction at the foot of the hill (by the bank), and onto the B829 signposted to Inversnaid. In approx 1½ miles take a left fork signposted ‘Loch Ard Forest' and follow signs to the car park in a further ½ mile at NN499011. (Note that although cars are often parked in it, the pull-in on the left at the end of the tarmac is not the car park!) This is on the left in another 200m and has an information board. The route described is the ‘red' one & you will follow red wayposts all the way round.

Leave the car park by the small path with green wayposts, signposted ‘Loch Ard Cycle Route' (on your left as you face the information boards).

Follow it downhill and in about 200m (3 mins) cross the bridge over the Duchray Water.

The path now follows the river downstream before bending to the right through some cleared plantation and, in a further 400m (6 mins), leads to a T junction at Point 1 (NN5000078).

Turn left here, signed ‘Aberfoyle'. After walking through plantation for approx 300m (5 mins) you reach the banks of Lochan Spling.

In a further 150m (2-3 mins), at Point 2 (NN503005) a small path rises on your left.

Either:

a) Ignore this and continue along the shore to the end of the lochan in 300-400m (5 mins). At a right hand bend in a further 100m (1-2mins) the small path rejoins from the left.

b) Take the small path which leads uphill to a small viewpoint which gives pleasant views to the south. Continue along the path which drops to rejoin the main track just beyond the eastern end of the lochan (500m - (13-14 mins).Note that this path can be slippery when wet.

In a further 100m (1-2 mins) pass a metal barrier to join a forest road at a crossroads - Point 3 (NN507004).

Turn right here, signed ‘Kinlochard', and follow the forest road along the southern shore of the lochan (there may be an occasional vehicle) for about 1 Km (15 mins) to a T junction just beyond the western end of the lochan at NN498003.

Turn right, signed ‘Milton Car Park', pass a metal barrier and in about 800m (12 mins) you will have returned to the junction at Point 1.

Continue straight on to retrace your steps to the car park in just over 1 Km (15 mins).

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.