Ben Ledi Walk

Route Description for Ben Ledi Walk

To start the Ben Ledi walk, from the café at Strathyre Cabins, turn left along the tarmacked road you drove in on, leading you further into the park.

Towards the back of the park take the junction to the left (if you pass all the cabins you’ve gone too far) that leads you to more cabins and takes you behind the café.

This tarmac track turns to a gravel track, which will eventually make its way to the Callander Community Hydro barn. Follow the footpath leading uphill to the right side of the barn. The path heads steeply uphill.

500 m from the barn, the path joins a forested road; turn left here and continue ahead to cross a stream.

130 m further on the forest road you’ll turn right through the wooden barriers onto a smaller footpath heading uphill.

You’ll notice the summit of Ben Ledi to your left. 500 m ahead at a junction with another path, keep left (although, the right-hand path will also bring you to the same spot a further kilometer up the hillside).

Eventually you’ll come to a T-intersection. Turn left and take the path that rises steeply up to a fence line. Cross the fence line via the kissing gate. The path follows the valley of a small stream up onto the ridge ahead, this section is approximately 1.0 km in length.

Continue across the wide ridge to a fallen fence, ignoring the vague paths off to the left. Meet the more obvious junction and turn left towards the summit.

Continue to climb, following the ridgeline as it curves to your left to the summit of Ben Ledi, some 1.5 km further ahead. Don’t be fooled by the fake summits!

At the true summit, you’ll find an iron cross, erected to celebrate the life of Sgt. Harry Lawrie, who died on duty with the Killin Mountain Rescue team in 1987.

Continue ahead past the summit and follow the path along the ridge that drops away towards the south-west. This is a well-maintained path. It makes for a relatively easy descent, ideal for enjoying views down to Loch Venachar (to the right) and Loch Lubnaig (to your left).

After 3.0 km of descent, the path meets a broader track; turn left. Further along, the track is joined by another path from the left; continue ahead.

Almost 1.0 km further along, at a hairpin bend, you’ll find the small footpath that leads off the back of the bend towards the stream and heads downhill. Ignore the first path that also heads towards the stream, but actually heads uphill; you want to go downhill.

Follow the footpath with the stream to your left. You will eventually rejoin the forest road you were on before, further down the hill.

After 250 m you will see a road join from the left. Ignore this, it leads up to private property. Continue ahead! The track soon runs parallel to another. Cross the hedge line via a small gap and turn left to head back towards Strathyre Lodges. Head to the café and enjoy a reward after a great day's walk!

Walking Route Highlights

Ben Ledi

Ben Ledi is a popular landmark in Stirling, Scotland. While Ben Ledi is a mountain, it’s actually specifically classified as a Corbett. A Corbett is any Scottish mountain over 762 m and under 914 m, with a drop of at least 152 m between each listed hill and any adjacent higher one. In Scotland, there are over 220 Corbetts and the term was originally coined by John Rooke Corbett--hence the name.

This Corbett is a popular landmark and one of the more distinctive mountains within the Scottish Highlands. While a steep hike, the top of Ben Ledi offers superb views over Lochs Lubnaig and Venachar below you and Ben Lomond, the Arrochar Alps and a series of Highland peaks in the distance.

Loch Venachar

Tucked away between Callander and Brig o’Turk lies Loch Venachar, a freshwater loch loved by the locals for its fantastic fishing spots. Stretching for 6.0 km, the lake offers stunning waterfronts along the surrounding trail and can be used by kayakers and canoeists looking for a peaceful paddling spot.

Loch Lubnaig

The Loch Lubnaig is a tiny freshwater loch in the Scottish Highlands. Located between the two popular mountains, Ben Ledi and Ben Vorlich, it’s hard to miss this stunning waterway. Looking at the lake with a birds eye view, you’ll quickly understand where Loch Lubnaig gets its name, as Lùbnaig means crooked in Gaelic.

Check out more amazing walks in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, like the Ben A’an, Ben Venue, Ben Lomond, or Loch Venachar.

Insider Hints for Ben Ledi Walk

• The Forest Retreat at Strathyre is open from 8a.m.-8p.m. Make the most of their great Scottish menu and produce. Pop in before or after your hike!
• Head to Taste of the Trossachs in Callander and pick up an award-winning savory pie.
• Mhor Bread & Tearoom, Mhor Fish and Mhor 84 are all worth a visit if you have time.