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DIVERSE LANDSCAPE AND STUNNING MOUNTAIN VIEWPOINTS
The southern section of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park has a wide-open feel, with lush landscapes, and features woodland and lochs that are typical of the Trossachs. The north has a more rugged personality, with rocky peaks and wilder glens that are more in tune with the Highland landscape.
Thanks to the geological fault line that runs right across the Park you can experience the striking contrasts between the Scottish Lowlands and Highlands, with the Highland Boundary Fault - the result of a tectonic plate collision over 400 million years ago and the reason for the hills and landscape - separating both areas.
Conic Hill
Conic Hill sits right on the division between the two and if you’re not quite ready to climb a Munro (mountains over 3000ft!), this offers a far more straightforward ascent to what is still a spectacular view.
Begin at the tiny village of Balmaha - just 40 minutes by car from Forest Hills Hotel & Resort - and the route will take you between two and three hours through woodland, then uphill. Your reward after the ascent is a breathtaking view across to Loch Lomond, plus the perfect picnic spot on a sunny day.
Ben A’an
Ben A’an is also popular, with a 5k walk to the summit taking between 90 minutes and 2 hours. It’s quite a steep climb but there’s an obvious path and wonderful views of Loch Katrine, Ben Venue and the Arrochar Alps, with the descent revealing Loch Achray, make it well worth it the effort. The car park and start of walk is only 25 mins drive from Forest Hills Hotel & Resort and you should take advantage of the relatively short journey and get an early start to avoid the crowds.
Munro Bagging
Should you wish to ‘bag a Munro` (named after Sir Hugo Munro, who produced the Munro Tables, the first comprehensive list of mountains over 3000ft high) or climb a Corbett - smaller mountains, from 2500feet upwards - the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park offers a good range of both, including the spectacular Ben Lomond.
Also known as “The Cobbler”, Ben Arthur is another iconic mountain and forms part of the Arrochar Alps, one of the best-loved hill walking destinations in Scotland. Ben Arthur falls slightly outside the National Park, but its three peaks and distinctive profile make it hugely popular with climbers and walkers and it’s just over an hour’s drive from Forest Hills Resort.
There’s plenty of information available on Munros and Corbetts for those who fancy the challenge, but you don’t need to climb a mountain to enjoy fantastic views from one of the many waymarked walks, trails and pathways just waiting to be explored!