Ben Venue in the Heart of The Trossachs offers some great walking and cycling routes with a good opportunity to spot some red deer on the way. Starting from the car park on the Dukes Pass marked Leannach Wood, it is possible to get a fairly long circular route with a narrow and steep track on the way back to the car park adding some technical riding on a bike.
Otherwise, its difficult to ride a longish circular route in this part of the forest but its still worth following the path up Ben Venue from Leannach until you reach the end of it and take time to site and watch the hillside for red deer which are usually always in the corrie under the ridge walk from Ledard to the summit of Ben Venue.
Combining The 3 Lochs Drive and Leannach Wood circuit together makes for an arduous but satisfying days cycling starting from The David Marshall Lodge returning partly on The Dukes Pass before heading back into the Loch Achray Forest and back to the Visitor Centre. Check out the interactive map on the Ben Venue page to see the track layout.
Cycle Maps
The above maps have been provided courtesy of the Forestry Commission Scotland. Most routes are suitable for cyclists and walkers. Please click on the icon to show an enlarged map, information on the difficulty of the route, footwear etc.
The viewpoint path is a short loop walk with a firm surface. The path takes you through a regenerating native woodland to a viewpoint where you can enjoy superb views of Loch Achray, Achray Forest, Ben A’an, Ben Venue and the Trossachs.
This forest walk takes you through an area of regenerating native woodland to a timber bridge across the Achray Water. Once across the bridge the path takes you along the riverside, then on a circular route through Achray Forest before returning to the car park once again via the Achray Water bridge. The path surface is varied though generally firm but steep in places and includes forest road and track, tarred road and a short section on wooden boardwalk.
The path surface is generally firm though there are sections which are uneven and wet underfoot. From the car park, via a charming riverside walk and the Achray Water bridge, this path links with the Ben Venue hill path. If you’re planning to walk this route please make sure that you have strong footwear, waterproofs and extra warm clothing with you.
Important Message from the Forestry Commission Scotland:
Many of the Forestry Commission Scotland’s trails and forest roads are suitable for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Please show consideration and courtesy to everyone you meet. Some trails and paths are less suited to cyclists and horse riders because of the gradients and surfaces. Please behave responsibly in helping us to maintain these routes. Please remember also that forests are working landscapes and that forestry vehicles also use these roads.