Walk 2309 - Ben A'an from Loch Achray

      
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The relatively minor summit of Ben A’an (454m) offers some astounding views. If views could be measured then this short walk could possibly provide more quality views per mile walked than many other longer and more arduous excursions.

   
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The start is a small car park (grid ref. NN509070) on the A821 which heads west from the A84 near Callander. The drive offers views of Lochs Venachar and Achray, with the parking area on your left just after the road skirts the latter loch.

After parking cross the road and follow the well engineered path as it climbs initially through forest. The going in places is quite steep and care needs to be taken when walking across tree roots as these seem to be super-slippery after rain. Eventually the path leaves the trees and you get your first clear view of the hill you are climbing.

With the end of the trees the path changes in character and includes a section of steeper ascent through a rocky cleft before the gradient eases again once the more open hillside is reached. From here a great sweep takes you to the summit area from where the magnificent panorama is based on the foreground view Loch Katrine, which can seen almost in its entirety. The backdrop is made up of many mountains, including a good number of Corbetts and Munros, in a great arc from the south to the northwest.

After enjoying the view the best way down is to retrace your steps. However it is possible to drop down on a small path that starts from the main path about 120 metres north of the summit. However a brief ‘recce’ of this path found it very wet and boggy. With the prospect of a steep descent through forest to the road it was decided that the easy way down was the better option.

OS Map showing start

Ordnance Survey Map showing starting point of walk - Click Here

Suggested Maps

It is recommended you take a map with you when following a walk route. The preferred scale is 1:25000 used by the Explorer series.

	OS Explorer	1:25,000	Sheet 365
	OS Landranger	1:50,000	Sheet 57

Note : If two maps are listed at the same scale then either (a) both are required for full coverage of the route or (b) the route is covered on both maps.

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