The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park isn’t just a perfect day trip destination from Edinburgh; it also makes for an excellent stop on the way to the Highlands. It’s no wonder it’s often referred to as the gateway to the Scottish Highlands. Little did we know that the hike we embarked on to Ben A’an on the first day of our vacation would turn out to be one of the most beautiful hikes in all of Scotland.
Even if you’re not a regular hiker, you shouldn’t skip this one. It’s steep but pleasantly short and energizing, and the reward is an incredibly beautiful view of Loch Katrine. In our blog post today, you’ll discover all the details you need for your hike. And if you’re signed up for our newsletter, check your email inbox where a handy checklist for hiking in Scotland is waiting for you.
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Quick Overview: Hiking Guide for the best hike in Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park
- Where to Start & Finish: Park your car here
- Parking Fee: £5 for an all-day pass
- Length: 4 km / 2.5 miles
- Time Needed: 2,5 hours (without breaks)
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Elevation Gain: 310 m (1017 ft)
Weather forecast for the area of Ben A’an can be found here
Pit Stops: There are no options directly on the hike itself. However, near the parking area, you can find Scott’s Bistro. Just a 5-minute drive away, you’ll also reach the Visitor Centre at Loch Katrine, where you can visit the Steamship Café for refreshments.
Starting Off in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park
2 Nächte in Chefchaouen
4,5 Stunden Fahrt von Rabat, 250 km
Your hike begins right across from the parking lot at the base of Ben A’an. The parking area is is a pay-and-display zone, but the good news is it’s open 24 hours, allowing you to tackle the summit in the early morning or catch a stunning sunset. Since this hike can get quite busy, especially on sunny weekends, we recommend getting an early start. If you can swing it, planning your adventure for a weekday is even better.
The climb to Ben A’an is relatively short, taking about 1.5 hours to reach the summit, but it’s steep. Thankfully, the trail is well-maintained and pretty straightforward, so you won’t lose your way.
As you ascend Ben A’an, make it a habit to turn around occasionally. This way, you’ll get a sneak peek of the view that awaits you at the summit. You’ll have a direct view of Loch Achray and the stately HPB Tigh Mor Trossachs Hotel.
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Reaching the Summit: The highlight of your hike in Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park
2 Nächte in Fes
3,5 Stunden Fahrt von Chefchaouen, 200 km
After about 45 minutes, you’ll reach a clearing where you can already catch a glimpse of the summit. Don’t worry, it appears farther away than it actually is. Unfortunately, the deforested area might look a bit sad, reminding us of the state of Harz National Park in Germany. When you’re traveling around Scotland, you’ll come across areas like this quite often, where pine trees have been felled, and reforestation projects are underway. Their goal is usually to restore the Caledonian Forest, which was once prevalent in the Scottish Highlands.
After the last steep meters, you’ll finally reach the summit of Ben A’an. Here, a fantastic 360-degree panoramic view awaits you.
There are countless breathtaking views from the top, not only of Loch Katrine but also of Ben Venue, Ben Lomond, and Meall Gainmheich. Unfortunately, on our day, the weather was very Scottish and gloomy, but we still thoroughly enjoyed the view 🙂
Descending from Ben A'an
2 Nächte in der Wüste
8 Stunden Fahrt von Fes, 460 km
To return to your starting point, take the same path you took on the way up. Depending on how much time you have left in the day, you might be interested in taking a boat tour on Loch Katrine or Loch Lomond. We really enjoyed seeing the lush green hills from the water.
Where to Stay in Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park?
Are you still looking for accommodation within the national park? Feel free to check these out (* Affiliate-Link):
Wild Camping in Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park
During our Scotland road trip, we traveled with a motorhome, mainly because Scotland had been described as a paradise for wild camping. However, it wasn’t as easy as we thought. In Scotland, there are several areas where wild camping is strictly prohibited, or you need to book a permit beforehand. Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park is one such area. Specifically, it means that from March 1st to September 31st, you can’t simply pitch your tent or park your campervan wherever you like. Instead, there are designated “permit areas” for which you can book permission four weeks in advance, costing £4 per tent or campervan.
Alternatively, you can visit one of the following campsites, located about 20-30 minutes from the Ben A’an Car Park. Some of them even offer small cabins if you’re not traveling with a tent or campervan and find hotels too far away.
We hope you enjoy your hike to Ben A’an as much as we did. For more impressions and travel tips about Scotland, feel free to visit the our.traveltreats Instagram account. More blog posts will be coming soon.
