Where to go · Stirling
Forest bathing at The Lodge Forest, Queen Elizabeth Forest Park
The main visitor centre of Queen Elizabeth Forest Park above Aberfoyle, with lichen covered oak coppice and a short waterfall trail.
The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre sits a mile north of Aberfoyle on the road up the Duke's Pass, at the heart of Queen Elizabeth Forest Park. Four waymarked trails start from the door. The best for slow time is the Oak Coppice Trail, which runs through ancient oak woodland thick with lichens; the Waterfall Trail passes a monument to the Women's Timber Corps on the way to a waterfall.
The Waterfall Trail is wide firm gravel with a gentle slope and a short stretch of boardwalk, so it suits an easy first visit. The Oak Coppice and Craigmore View trails are mostly firm but have short steep slopes and a flight of steps. Lime Craig is a steep climb to a viewpoint over the Carse of Stirling and the Highland Boundary Fault. The café and centre are the busy hub; the oakwood trails beyond are quieter.
Practical
- Managed by
- Forestry and Land Scotland
- Parking
- Car park at The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre
- Terrain
- Firm gravel trails, some short steep slopes, steps and boardwalk
- Nearest station
- Stirling, about 35 minutes by car
- Facilities
- Visitor centre, café, toilets, accessible facilities
- Opening and entry
- Open access, free; visitor centre has set opening hours
- Official page
- forestryandland.gov.scot
Last updated 4 November 2026. Paths, parking and access can change, so check before you visit. Spotted something out of date? Please let us know.
Guides nearby
A guide within 15 miles of The Lodge Forest, Queen Elizabeth Forest Park
More woodlands in Stirling
All venues in Stirling
Bracklinn Falls and Callander CragsWoodland, a river gorge and a footbridge over the falls just north of Callander
Carron Valley ForestLarge mixed forest around a loch in the hills south west of Stirling
Glen FinglasAncient wood pasture and open glens above Brig o' Turk in the TrossachsPhotos: Bracklinn Falls and Callander Crags, Rod collier (CC BY-SA 2.0); Carron Valley Forest, Dawgy (CC BY-SA 2.0); Glen Finglas, James Allan (CC BY-SA 2.0).