Run to Carn Labhruinn
Length
22.1 Kms
Elevation gain
570.1 m
Max elevation
350.7 m
Difficulty
**
Rating
****
Type
Out and back and small loop
Route id
577
Main road
0 Kms
Country road
3.5 Kms
Dirt road
16.2 Kms
Dirt path
0 Kms
Trail
2.4 Kms
0
Route summary
The Run to Carn Labhruinn route is a trail, dirt road and country road run within Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. The out and back and small loop covers a distance of 22.08 Kms ( 13.72 miles )
and has an elevation gain of 570 m ( 1870 feet )
.
Description
One of the marvellous things about this route is that just a small distance from the village of Callander you feel like you are really out in the wilderness of Scotland. This route builds on the Bracklinn falls loop, but we actually started running this before the loop came into being. That said the loop past the falls gives you something different to enjoy on the early stages of the run.
So from the car park you head across the small road and join the path to the falls. This is newer well made path and straight away you are on the climb. Our running usually takes place early morning and before the crowds and we only saw a couple of dog walkers along the way. After about
1.5 Kms
you are at the Bracklinn falls where a small bridge crosses the river. The path heads away to the left up the side of the stream and turns into more of a trail route.
When you get to
2.4 Kms
you come out of the trees and the countryside opens up before you. A short downhill section takes you back over the stream and a right hand turn onto the tarred road starts the out and back section. There are several gates to go through, including a few at the small farm where you leave the tar and start running on the standard hard core road. This is where things start to become very isolated and it feels just wonderful.
After crossing the small bridge the route takes you up past the small cottage and on towards the Forest of Glenartney. On this particular route you don't get to Glen Artney but this is where the road takes you and from there onwards to Comrie. We do have that section sitting in our to do list of routes.
On this route we turn back the way we came on arriving at the foot of the small hill Carn Labruinn. The route back is the same as the way out apart from staying on the small country road and avoiding the return trip to the falls.
Not sure why, but this route feels like a lot longer run than it actually is.
Route directions
Kms
1
Starting at the car park
0
2
From the car park cross the road taking the path to the Bracklinn Falls
0
3
Over the bridge
1.4
4
Take the sign posted path going left
2.9
5
Over the small bridge
3.5
6
Turn right at the tarred road
3.7
7
Keep straight on
4.5
8
Past the farm on your left, through two sets of gates
4.9
9
Turn right over the wooden bridge
7.1
10
Path heads right, past small house
7.9
11
Over the bridge
11.6
12
And now to head back to Callander
11.7
13
After the bridge turn left back the way you came
16.3
14
Keep on the tarred road
19.7
15
Past the car park for the falls
21.7
16
And a right into the car park
22
17
And back to the car park
22.1
Car park area
View of the small car park
Car park area
Path starts across the road from the car park
Bracklinn falls
The information sign
Bracklinn falls
View of the falls
Bracklinn falls
Falls from the bridge
Bracklinn falls
Falls from the bridge number 2
Heading away from the falls
The path can get muddy in parts
Out of the trees
The countryside opens up
Out of the trees
Down hill section
Out of the trees
Small bridge before the tarred road
More falls
From the wee bridge
Tarred road
Starting to feel remote
Tarred road
Image from To Carn Labhruinn
Tarred road
Long winter sunshine shadows
Hills coming into view
In winter sunshine
Hills coming into view
Image from To Carn Labhruinn
Farm area
Sheep a plenty
Farm area
Styles and tired legs are never a good combination
Further on
A gradual downhill section
A right turn
December snow on the hills
A right turn
Take the right turning
A right turn
Keep to the paths proper
Arivurichardich area
Looking towards the hills
Arivurichardich area
Image from To Carn Labhruinn
Arivurichardich area
Sometimes a wee bit muddy
Arivurichardich area
Image from To Carn Labhruinn
Arivurichardich area
Beautiful
Arivurichardich area
Looking back
Arivurichardich area
The isolated cottage
Arivurichardich area
Image from To Carn Labhruinn
Arivurichardich area
The route ahead
Arivurichardich area
Image from To Carn Labhruinn
Passing Tom Odhar
Wilderness
Turning point
The view for the route back