THERE is something appealing about catching a bus to the start of a walk. Parked up in Strathyre last week I had time for a little wander and, more importantly, a cup of tea from the Post Office before the Kingshouse Travel minibus pulled up to take me to Callander and the start of a lovely nine-mile stroll.
The route takes you from farmland into mountain country, following the line of the former Callander to Oban railway, which closed in 1965 and is now used as a foot and cycle path.
The first section leaves Callander behind, crossing Garbh Uisage, i
ts waters slow and quiet at this point.
You then walk past fields, currently full of lambs, and as the track straightens out look right for the grassed-over ruins of a Roman fort – well, they are little more than large lumps but it would be churlish to ignore them.
Ahead is Ben Ledi, under the shadow of which you will walk.
The route then heads for the Falls of Leny and it is worth making a short detour to see them at their best – at the end of another straight section the track bends left and a little further on you should follow a stony path down to the left. This leads to great views of the falls but you should take care though, especially in wet weather. Above is the A84, with drivers passing oblivious to the natural spectacle below them.
Returning to the track, you then reach the final section, by Loch Lubnaig, a quiet stretch of water with steep slopes to your left and rolling hillsides on the other side of the loch which eventually lead up to the Munros of Stuc a'Chroin and Ben Vorlich.
This is a level walk on firm ground but it is fairly long, so make sure you have comfortable footwear, waterproofs and some food and drink.
Although the route can be done in either direction, this way the views ahead of you are better.
DISTANCE 9 miles
HEIGHT CLIMBED Fairly level but about 200ft in total TIME Four to five hours MAP OS Landranger 57.
PARK It is best to park in Strathyre, catch the bus to Callander and then walk back. By catching a bus at the start, you are not tied to a particular time to finish. Full details of services, which run during the day, can be found through Traveline at www.travelinescotland.com or 0871 200 22 33.
Alternatively, if you have two cars, park one at the car park at the south end of Strathyre, next to the A84, and the other in Callander, behind the Dreadnought Hotel which is on the main street.
IN SUMMARY Walk west, out of Callander along the A84, and about 50 yards past a Tesco store follow a path going left, next to a pedestrian crossing – it is indicated by a blue sign for Strathyre.
A bridge takes you over Garbh Uisage then the line of the former railway passes fields, goes over a track and reaches the A821, which you cross.
The track continues past the Falls of Leny – see above for a detour to them – and on to a car park for Ben Ledi. Keep straight on after the car park, following another blue sign for Strathyre.
A minor road leads along Loch Lubnaig, turning into a track again after some chalets. About a mile-and-a-half after the chalets, the track rises to a junction where you go right. The well-signposted track then reaches fields before climbing to the edge of forestry and dropping down towards Strathyre.
At the bottom of a long hill, follow a sign, right, at some wooden houses. Go left after about 20 yards and follow a path down to a wooden suspension bridge.
The car park is on the other side of the bridge, on the right.
REFRESHMENTS The Lade Inn at Kilmahog is passed not far from the start – turn right at the A821 and follow it for a couple of hundred yards. It does food and serves real ale but be warned that there is a fair bit of walking still to be done.
In Strathyre, there are three pubs to choose from – not bad for a small village.
WHILE YOU ARE IN THE AREA Go and see red kites at Argaty (signed from Doune). www.argatyredkites.co.uk or 01786-841373.
