Loch Ard Forest
There are many walks in the Loch Ard Forest. Take a few moments to have a look at the information boards in the car park. There are some good cycling routes too.
This is a mostly level walk around Lochan Spling (Lochan means ‘small Loch’) It is very pretty and has some wonderful sculptures that depict the nature in The Trossachs Forest. The walk has a simplicity about it. It is an easy stroll with many stopping points to enjoy the sculptures.
The walk is about a 2.5 mile circular route with some gentle inclines at the beginning and end of the walk.
Getting To The start Point
The walk begins in the Forestry Commission car park at Milton. To get there from The Ridings turn left and drive through the village of Brig O’ Turk, and on for 2 miles around Loch Achray. Continue over the Dukes Pass to Aberfoyle. As you descend the hill towards Aberfoyle (going past David Marshall Lodge) turn right at the T junction at the foot of the hill, 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. (Note the lay-by 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 Walk Around Lochan Spling
Leave the car park by the small path with green wayposts, signposted ‘Loch Ard Cycle Route’.
Follow it downhill and cross the bridge over the Duchray Water. Stop and admire the river!
Follow the path as it follows the river downstream before bending to the right through some cleared plantation and, in a further 400m, leads to a T junction. Turn left here, signed ‘Aberfoyle’. After walking through plantation for approx 300m you reach Lochan Spling. Continue along the shore to the end of the lochan in 300-400m. At a right hand bend in a further 100m follow the path around the Lochan.
Around The Lochan
Continue along the path which drops to rejoin the main track just beyond the eastern end of the lochan (500m). In a further 100m (1-2 mins) pass a metal barrier to join a forest road at a crossroads.
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 to a T junction just beyond the western end of the lochan. Remember to spot the Eagle Sculpture!
Turn right, signed ‘Milton Car Park’, pass a metal barrier and in about 800m you will have returned to the junction.
Continue straight on to retrace your steps to the car park in just over 1 Km.