If you only have an hour or two to spare but want a proper mountain summit at the end of it, the Ben A’an Hike is very hard to beat.
It’s become one of the most popular short walks in the country for exactly that reason, maximum reward for genuinely manageable effort.
Ben A’an: The Complete Guide to Scotland’s Best Short Mountain Walk
Distance: Approx. 2.5 miles (4 km) | Time: Around 1h 30m–1h 40m | Ascent/Descent: 370m / 371m | Difficulty: Moderate | Region: The Trossachs, Stirling, Scotland
Rising above the northern shore of Loch Katrine in the heart of the Trossachs, this small but strikingly rocky peak delivers views that punch well above its modest height — and does it in a fraction of the time most Scottish summits demand.
This guide takes you through the route, the story behind the hill, and the practical details you need to plan the walk properly.
Ben A’an Trossachs Hike Map
Recommended Walking Gear
- 🥾 Waterproof Walking Boots
- 🧦 Merino Walking Socks
- 🎒 Lightweight Daypack
- 🧥 Waterproof Jacket
- 🥤 Insulated Water Bottle
- 🥾 Walking Poles
Table of Contents
Places to stay near Ben A’an
Quick Facts
| Start/Finish | Forestry Commission Ben A’an car park, grid ref NN509070 |
| Distance | Approx. 2.5 miles (4 km) round trip |
| Time | Around 1.5 to 1h 40m |
| Ascent | Approx. 370m |
| Stiles | None |
| Nearest town | Aberfoyle |
| Refreshments | The Byre Inn, Brig o’ Turk (Tel: 01877 376292) |
| Public toilets | None at the car park |
| Public transport | None directly to the start |
| Maps | OS Explorer OL46; OS Landranger 57 |
| Best for | A quick mountain fix, families introducing kids to hillwalking, big views for minimal time |
Getting to the Start
The walk begins at the pay-and-display Forestry Commission car park, about 2 miles west of Brig o’ Turk on the A821, grid reference NN509070. It’s a well-used car park right on the main Trossachs tourist road between Aberfoyle and Callander, so it’s easy to find, though it can fill up on busy weekends and in school holidays — arrive early if you can. There are no public toilets at the car park, so plan accordingly before you set off.
Why This Walk Is Worth It
Ben A’an sits in the Trossachs — the compact, dramatic glen of hills, lochs and forest that captured the imagination of Sir Walter Scott and, through him, the rest of the world. Scott’s 1810 poem The Lady of the Lake, set on Loch Katrine directly below this hill, was a sensation on publication, selling in numbers no poem had managed before and effectively launching Scotland as a tourist destination for the first time. Visitors flocked to the Trossachs to see the landscape Scott had described, and in many ways they’ve never really stopped.
Ben A’an itself isn’t technically a full “Munro” or even a distinct mountain in its own right — it’s a rocky top on the shoulder of the range above Loch Katrine — but that hardly matters when you’re standing on its small, dramatic summit. At 454m, it’s modest by Scottish standards, yet the final approach to the top is steep and properly rocky, giving the hill a genuine mountain character that belies its height. The slopes below the summit have been used by rock climbers for decades, and the view from the top — straight down over Loch Katrine, with Ben Venue and the wider Trossachs hills spread out beyond — is one of the best short-walk rewards anywhere in Scotland.
Route Description
From the car park: The path starts in forestry plantation, climbing steadily on a clear, well-maintained track. This lower section is straightforward walking, giving you a chance to warm up before the ground steepens.
Through the forest and onto open hillside: As the path climbs higher, it emerges from the trees onto open hillside, where the gradient noticeably increases. Stone steps have been built into much of this section to ease the ascent, and while it’s a proper climb, the path is clear throughout and easy to follow.
The final approach: The last stretch to the summit is the steepest part of the route, picking a way up through rockier ground below Ben A’an’s small rocky top. This is the section that gives the hill its mountain character — nothing technical or exposed, but enough of a scramble-like feel to make the summit feel properly earned.
The summit: At 454m, the top of Ben A’an is compact and rocky, with the reward arriving all at once: Loch Katrine laid out directly below, the bulk of Ben Venue across the water, and the wider hills and forest of the Trossachs stretching out in every direction. It’s a fantastic spot to stop, eat lunch, and take in one of the best short-walk views in the country.
The descent: The route back down retraces the outward path. The initial stages of the descent are steep, so take care on the rockier ground near the top, especially if conditions are wet.
Recommended Walking Gear
- 🥾 Waterproof Walking Boots
- 🧦 Merino Walking Socks
- 🎒 Lightweight Daypack
- 🧥 Waterproof Jacket
- 🥤 Insulated Water Bottle
- 🥾 Walking Poles
Terrain and Difficulty
This walk packs a lot into a short distance:
- Clear forestry track for the lower section
- A steady, well-maintained climb with stone steps on the open hillside
- A genuinely steep, rocky final approach to the summit
- No stiles, but the terrain underfoot becomes rougher as you climb
The path is clear throughout, making navigation straightforward, but the steep and rocky sections mean this isn’t a walk to underestimate just because of its short length. It’s often recommended as a great first hillwalking experience for children, but the final climb and initial descent do require sturdy footwear and a reasonable head for steeper ground.
When to Go
Ben A’an is walkable year-round and is popular in every season, but a clear day makes a huge difference given how much of the appeal is the view. Winter can bring ice to the steeper rocky sections near the summit, so extra care — or microspikes — may be needed underfoot. Spring through autumn offers the most reliable conditions for the rockier final climb.
What to Bring
- OS Explorer OL46 or Landranger 57 (paper map as backup)
- Sturdy walking boots — the final approach and descent are steep and rocky
- Waterproof and windproof layers, regardless of forecast
- Water and snacks for the summit
- Extra care or microspikes in icy winter conditions
Nearby Facilities
There are no toilets at the car park, so use facilities before you arrive. The nearest refreshments are at The Byre Inn in Brig o’ Turk, a short drive away, with Aberfoyle the nearest town for a wider range of shops and services. If you have time, a trip on the historic Steamship Sir Walter Scott, which departs from Trossachs Pier further along the loch, makes a lovely pairing with the walk — sailing the very waters you’ll have looked down on from the summit.
A Note on Safety
The final ascent and initial descent are genuinely steep and rocky, and this is where most care is needed on an otherwise straightforward route. Take extra caution in wet or icy conditions, keep a close eye on children on the rockier sections near the top, and wear proper footwear rather than trainers. The hill is popular and the path clear, but it shouldn’t be treated as a casual stroll simply because of its short distance.
Always check the weather forecast for the Trossachs before setting out, carry a map in addition to any GPS device, and take particular care on the steep, rocky final approach to the summit.
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Recommended Walking Gear
- 🥾 Waterproof Walking Boots
- 🧦 Merino Walking Socks
- 🎒 Lightweight Daypack
- 🧥 Waterproof Jacket
- 🥤 Insulated Water Bottle
- 🥾 Walking Poles
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to walk Ben A’an?
Most walkers complete the round trip in around 1.5 to 1h 40m, though this varies with fitness, how busy the path is, and how long you spend enjoying the summit.
Is Ben A’an a Munro?
No — at 454m it’s well below Munro height and is technically a subsidiary top rather than a separate mountain, but it has a genuine rocky mountain character and one of the best view-to-effort ratios of any hill in Scotland.
Where do I park for Ben A’an?
At the pay-and-display Forestry Commission car park about 2 miles west of Brig o’ Turk on the A821, grid ref NN509070.
Is this walk suitable for children?
Yes, it’s widely considered one of the best introductions to hillwalking for kids, though the final steep, rocky approach to the summit needs supervision.
Is Ben A’an difficult?
It’s rated moderate. The lower section is a straightforward forestry track, but the final approach to the summit is genuinely steep and rocky, and the same applies to the start of the descent.
Are there toilets at the car park?
No, there are no public toilets at the Ben A’an car park, so plan ahead before you arrive.
What will I see from the summit?
Loch Katrine directly below, Ben Venue across the water, and the wider hills and forest of the Trossachs — one of the best panoramic rewards of any short walk in Scotland.
Why is Loch Katrine, below Ben A’an, so famous?
It was the setting for Sir Walter Scott’s 1810 poem The Lady of the Lake, which was hugely popular on publication and is credited with helping launch Scotland as a tourist destination.
Can I combine this walk with anything else nearby?
Yes — the historic Steamship Sir Walter Scott departs from Trossachs Pier on Loch Katrine and makes an excellent addition to the day, sailing the loch you’ll have seen from the summit.
Is the path icy in winter?
It can be, particularly on the steep rocky section near the top. Extra care, or traction aids like microspikes, are worth considering if you’re walking in winter conditions.
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