Callander Walks
Walks for most levels of fitness can be found in and around Callander. There are many easy walks and strolls which start in Callander itself, whilst within a few miles radius there are many more walks, some of them more demanding and really only suitable for those properly kitted out and fit enough to undertake them.
The following is intended only as a taster of the variety of walks available if you are based in Callander:
Easy walks near Callander
- Callander 2 bridges -
a level 15 minute stroll from Callander meadows, over the Red Bridge, riverside path, footbridge and return via Main Street. - Callander Meadows path -
a level riverside walk, starting Callander Meadows car park, up the riverside to the meeting of two rivers, and return via the crazy golf. - Callander Lower Crags walk -
from the Pedestrian crossing at Tulipan Crescent, walk up Tulipan to the modern flats and take the pathway to the left of the flats. Just behind the flats, take the right fork which leads into the woodlands at the foot of Callander Crags. This pathway then branches and forks throughout the wooded area and may be followed all the way to the east extremity to return via Bracklinn road, or you can 'escape' by using any of the many paths leading down between the houses to Ancaster road.
Longer/harder walks
- Callander Three Bridges
Walk over the Red bridge and through Bridgend to turn right onto the Invertrossachs road. Follow by the river 'Eas Gobhain' past the cycle centre and fish farm to the 'no through road' sign to turn right over Gartchonzie Bridge. Dunmor hill with its ancient hillfort and 'Samson's putting stone' are directly ahead. At the T junction, turn right (using the footpath where available) to cross the river Leny, pass (or visit) the Lade Inn and then turn right on the main road (footpath). Pass the woollen mills and re-enter Callander to return to the town centre. - Callander Bracklinn Falls
From Bracklinn Road at the East end post office, follow up the hill over the old railway bridge, and up to the access to the golf course. Turn left then right to follow the Braeleny road to the Falls car park about 600 mtr up the hill. Take the track on the left of the carpark and follow through the woods and past an open area with views to Stirling before dropping down to the falls by way of a long flight of steps. The falls area is dangerous for unattended children - and adults - with unguarded drops into deep water. - Callander Crags
From Tulipan Crescent at the west end of town take the track between the modern flats and an older villa, Turn left at the Y fork to find a gravelled pathway climbing steeply through the trees. The pathway eventually levels out a little to cross a small bridge before becoming a little rough underfoot and climbing once again close to the clifftop. Near the top, the track dips to cross another little bridge before climbing once more, via a metal gate' to reach the top with magnificent views close to the re-constructed Victoria Cairn.
You can return by the same route, descend by the rough steps at the dip (if safe to do so), or continue on the rough path to the north east to drop down and join the Braeleny Road, thence to Bracklinn Road and the East End.
More difficult / longer walks
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The Callander - Strathyre footpath. Level one way trip-about 9 miles.
From Callander Meadows, walk westward to find the old railway trackbed - now a footpath/cycleway. Follow the path over the river Leny and past open fields with the Buchanan burial ground on the left, followed by the barely visible remains of the Roman Camp. Ben Ledi is ahead to the left of the Pass of Leny. Continue on the pathway to cross the A821 Trossachs road beside picturesque 'Bridgend Cottage' (a B&B) and continue into the Pass of Leny. Note the huge woodand hills in the woods. About 1 mile further on, a clamber down to the riverside provides great views of the Falls of Leny. The car parking area for Ben Ledi gives way to more open ground past the metal bridge (to the main road). Make sure you use the path nearest to the river here - the left hand road is private. Pass the Lubnaig cabins and admire the views over Loch Lubnaig to the wooded slopes and mountains beyond. The pathway now rises to provide excellent views into GlenAmple and the top of Stuc a Chroin before dropping again to pass the ruins of the abandoned village of Stronyre. The path enters the village of Strathyre and crosses a suspension bridge before reaching the village centre where yoummay obtain refreshments before returning by the same route - or more probably waiting for the bus to Callander. - Ben A'an
Dress for the weather as it can be cold even in summer
Drive Via Brig o' Turk, passing the turreted 'Tigh Mor' timeshare on the right to find the Ben A'an car park on the left with the hill track on the right. This is a simple hill route, easily found and with no great difficulty other than a little scramble and steep steps near the summit. Care should be exercised at and near the summit to very steep drops in the vicinity.
Views to Loch Katrine and Arrochar Alps. - Ben Ledi
Dress for the weather, take food and unless skilled in navigation think twice before attempting in conditions of poor visibility. Navigation in snowstorm or very cloudy conditions is difficult on the summit ridge, even if familiar with this hill.
Start from the Stank car park at the metal bridge, A84 about 3 miles north of Callander. Opposite the end of the metal bridge, take the obvious steep path up through the woods. At a forest road, cross and continue up the hill to ascend steeply, at one point up stone steps, to reach a ford in a small dip followed by a stile. The track, now rough, veers south west below steep crags and climbs to about 1500 feet before turning sharply NNW then NW to follow the long east shoulder over several false summits before reaching the true summit at about 2845 feet. A metal cross near the top commemorates a mountain rescue team member killed on Ben More. Either return bythe ascent route, or if able to navigate, continue northwards on the ridge to NN561102, where a right turn allows you to follow a track by a burn down to Stank Glen where a gravel path leads toward Loch Lubnaig. make sure you cross to the east side of the burn to follow a narrower track down to yet another timber road. Cross this to continue down the right of the burn, over yet another timber road before joining the wide cycleway to return to the car park.
Fabulous views in all directions.
For detailed descriptions of these and many more walks, visit the www.Incallander.co.uk accommodation website and go to the walking page via the home page
