Hillwalking in the Trossachs - Ben A'an walk
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| Distance Height Start Approximate time Parking |
2.5 miles 1491 ft 200 yards west of Tigh Mhor near Loch Achray 1 ½ - 2 hours Car park A821 opposite the track. |
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Panoramic image
The view over the
Trossachs and Loch Katrine from the summit of Ben A'an is phenomenal for it’s height
making this a very rewarding walk.
Cross the road from the car park to a path which climbs up steeply through mixed woodland and is soon accompanied by a burn on the right. The path levels out after crossing the burn by a footbridge (a).
On the left there is a viewpoint looking over the Trossachs steamer pier. The path
meanders through pines and when it emerges from the trees the conical summit of Ben Aan is
suddenly revealed ahead. The path now becomes more demanding, a steep scramble up loose
rock.
Pause occasionally to catch breath and enjoy the view back.
The steeper route leaves to the left and is often used by rock
climbers(b), while the ‘tourist’ path continues to the top.
It generally takes about an hour to reach the summit though the super-fit can do it in half this time. The highest point on the route (c) is 1,491 feet and the path ends at its twin rocky peaks each providing vast landscapes of Scotland in different directions — west over Loch Katrine past Stronachlacher at Loch Lomond to the 'Arrochar Alps' and 'the Cobbler' and south-east over Loch Achray and the Campsie Fells. This walk gets a bit busy at times - last time I was up there there were about 25 people on the top!
At the summit, if you have the time and energy it's
worth continuing west past the summit on the ill defined path
leading down towards a fence in the distance. Don't cross the fence, but follow down a
somewhat wet path to the woods, staying close to the fence all the way. This leads down to
Loch Katrine with a walk of about 3 miles along the lochside and down the Trossachs road
to Loch Achray and the car park.
Twice a day in summer the sound of a pipe band will drift up from the steamer Sir Walter Scott as she leaves for trips up Loch Katrine. The return is by the same path and should take little more than thirty minutes.