Loch Lomond & The Trossachs
Trossachs hills & forest trails — Parking
The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre, Aberfoyle · Grid ref NN 518 015 · FK8 3SX · £2 up to 1 hour, £5 all day (FLS)
Climbing Ben Lomond? The path starts at Rowardennan on the east shore of Loch Lomond, not here — see the Ben Lomond car park.
Quick facts
- Grid reference
- NN 518 015
- Postcode (satnav)
- FK8 3SX
- Spaces
- The visitor-centre car park; Forestry and Land Scotland give no space count.
- Cost
- £2 up to 1 hour, £5 all day (FLS)
- Surface
- tarmac
- Drive from Glasgow
- 1h
- Drive from Edinburgh
- 1h 20m
Parking charge: £2 for up to 1 hour, £5 for all day, £14 for a minibus or coach all day; Blue Badge holders park free; pay by coins, card or RingGo — Forestry and Land Scotland, The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre visitor information (forestryandland.gov.scot, read 28 Oct 2026). We could not find a published charge for the car parks in Aberfoyle village itself.
From the car park
The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre is 1 mile north of Aberfoyle on the A821 — follow the signs for "Forest Park Visitor Centre" (FLS). The car park here is charged; car parks also serve Aberfoyle village. FLS describe the Waterfall Trail as "our all-abilities trail leading towards a dramatic waterfall". The Duke's Pass road (A821) is a spectacular scenic drive north through the forest, giving access to Loch Katrine (Trossachs Pier) and further north to Callander.
The walk
The Trossachs area offers a wide range of walks from the visitor centre and Aberfoyle — from gentle forest trails and loch-side paths to the Graham Ben Venue (729m), which has its own Forestry and Land Scotland car park. Ben Lomond is a separate trip: its path starts at Rowardennan on the east shore of Loch Lomond, reached via Drymen. National Cycle Route 7 passes through the forest park, and the Rob Roy Way long-distance path passes through Aberfoyle.
Facilities
- Visitor centre (FLS)
- Café
- Toilets and accessible toilets
- Picnic area
- Go Ape
Busy times
Aberfoyle and the forest park are popular weekend destinations year-round given their proximity to Glasgow (1h) and Edinburgh (1.5h). Summer weekends and bank holidays see heavy visitor numbers. The Duke's Pass (A821) can be very congested in summer — the early morning descent to Callander on weekdays is much more enjoyable. The forest park cycling routes are busy from April to October.
Getting here without a car
Aberfoyle is served by the Midland Bluebird X10A (Stirling – Aberfoyle – Glasgow), the C61 (Callander – Kinlochard) and Stirling Council's TEX (Callander – Aberfoyle via Loch Katrine) (bustimes.org, read 28 Oct 2026). The Lodge is 1 mile north of the village. Check the current timetables before relying on them.
Winter access
The A821 Duke's Pass over the Trossachs can be snowbound or icy in winter and is not always gritted over the summit. The Aberfoyle village car park and lower forest park trails are generally accessible year-round. The higher forest trails and viewpoints can be icy in winter. The Lodge is open daily: 10am–4.30pm April to October, 10am–4pm in November and March, and 10am–3pm December to February (FLS, read 28 Oct 2026).
Overflow parking
Car parks in Aberfoyle village, 1 mile south.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 07:22
- Sunset
- 16:40
- Civil dawn
- 06:43
- Civil dusk
- 17:20
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 October 2026
Frequently asked questions
- What can I do at the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park visitor centre?
- The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre (run by Forestry and Land Scotland) has a café, toilets, a picnic area and Go Ape, and waymarked trails including the all-abilities Waterfall Trail. Parking is £2 for up to 1 hour or £5 for all day (FLS, read 28 Oct 2026). FLS say storm damage from Storm Boleo has blocked the Lime Craig Trail and the NCR7 cycle route, so check the page before you go.
- Is Aberfoyle a good base for Ben Lomond?
- It is not a direct starting point. The Ben Lomond path starts at Rowardennan on the east shore of Loch Lomond, reached by road via Drymen and Balmaha rather than over the Loch Ard road. Aberfoyle makes a good area base or overnight stop.
- Is there a bus around the Trossachs?
- Yes — Stirling Council's TEX runs Callander – Aberfoyle via Loch Katrine, and stops at the Ben A'an car park among others (bustimes.org, read 28 Oct 2026). Check the current timetable before relying on it.
- Is cycling allowed in the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park?
- Yes — National Cycle Route 7 passes through the forest park, and there are waymarked forest routes. FLS say NCR7 is currently blocked by windblown trees near the wildlife hide and waterfall bridge, so check before you ride. The Great Trossachs Path is also popular for cycling between Callander and Loch Katrine.
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