LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

We parked in the free car park in Aberfoyle. We walked past the churchyard and Kirkton on a good track into the forest, almost taking the wrong track at Kirkton, but back-tracked before any damage was done. Continuing on the main track in a general south/west direction we looked for a turning to the right at ‘4’. We passed this point with only a slight hesitation. We took the next right turn approximately in a westerly direction instead of the correct north/west direction and eventually concluded that we had missed the correct right turn. We agreed to take the next right turn again, to find the recommend route. As you might have guessed, the track kept turning west instead of north, with no right turn. We knew it was too time consuming to travel through the woods, but the only options were to continue or retrace our steps. We expected a right turn at every bend, but none came until after we’d crossed the aqua pipe, which supplied water to Glasgow from the lochs inland. By this time Ben Lomond was very visible and prominent to the north/west. The sight of Ben Lomond and electricity pylons confirmed that we were miles off course and a track east was urgently sought. As we re-ascended towards Loch Ard we found the required track. When we passed Duchray Castle gates and the gate house we knew we were back on track and heading for Aberfoyle. We lost the official track again but kept to the broad forest roads. We circled Lochan Spling and headed back to Aberfoyle past Kirkton Hotel and Inn. There was lots of evidence of recent logging and tree planting. Slopes were gentle at all times.

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Aberfoyle

Hazards: None.