Forest bathing at Loch Ard Forest

Loch Ard Forest is the part of Queen Elizabeth Forest Park that stretches west from Aberfoyle along the shores of Loch Ard and Little Loch Ard. It is mostly conifer forest, broken up by water: the Duchray Water, the small Lochan Spling and Lochan a' Ghleannin. From higher ground there are views of Ben Venue and Ben Lomond. It is a big, open forest with wide tracks, so there is room to spread out.

Start at the Loch Ard car park, about a mile out of Aberfoyle on the road to Kinlochard. The Lochan Spling Trail crosses the Duchray Water to a small loch and is a good length for a slow walk; the Sculpture Trail follows the loch shores for a longer outing. Tracks are mostly wide gravel with some muddy and uneven patches. Some routes double as family cycle routes, so for quiet, keep to the walking trails and stop by the water.