Queen Elizabeth forest park
Length
20.5 Kms
Elevation gain
325 m
Max elevation
155 m
Difficulty
**
Rating
***
Type
Loop
Route id
515
Main road
0 Kms
Country road
2.9 Kms
Dirt road
17.6 Kms
Dirt path
0 Kms
Trail
0 Kms
0
Route summary
The Queen Elizabeth forest park route is a trail run within Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. The loop covers a distance of 20.49 Kms ( 12.73 miles )
and has an elevation gain of 325 m ( 1066 feet )
.
Description
A medium length route on well maintained Landrover trails. Includes a few ups and downs to get some elevation in. This is a shorter version of the Loch Ard Forest route and misses out on the loch views. However, plenty to see including the Victorian aqueduct system that took fresh water to Glasgow. When we need a simple
20 Kms
run then this is one that we come to time after time. Very rarely do we see anyone on this route, but then again we do tend to run in early morning.
From Aberfoyle car park the route heads across the old bridge and follows the small road past the cemetery and into the forest. The road is easy to follow and once past the forestry commission buildings turns into a dirt road and you are into the forest. The first part is in trees and contains a fair bit of up. The route takes you past Duchray castle which is hidden and on towards Duchray bridge. This is part of the Victorian water supply from Loch Katrine to Glasgow and you can see one of the pumping stations up ahead.
The trees have thinned a bit by this point and once over the bridge you get a wee crazy zig-zag path up to the front of the pumping station. From here a bit of climb and a few close encounters with the old viaduct system.
At about the half way point the path reaches a junction of paths. Other routes we have cover all the options here but for this route we head to the left and under the viaduct. We take a right turn just beyond the viaduct and set off on the return path proper. This is mostly out in the open and returns you to a position about Duchray bridge. And from here we head off to the right and up the hills.
This return route in the trees also has the longest and highest climb of the route. It's not too bad though and once you are at the top it's nearly all downhill for the last
3 Kms
or 4 Kms
back to Aberfoyle. A short sharp descent brings you back onto the path you headed out on. Keep an eye out for red squirrels here as we see them frequently.
Due to the amount of time in the trees, this is one run that is actually very enjoyable when it's raining. That statement might come back to haunt us, but for now we will stand by it.
Route directions
Kms
1
Start at the car park. Head out of the car park towards the old bridge. This is the other direction from the Woolen Mill.
0
2
Keep following the path past the cemetry
0.5
3
Follow the fork in the road to the right. Its marked for no cars allowed.
0.9
4
The road now turns left past the forrestry buildings.
1
5
Keep on the main path as it turns from tar into dirt track.
1.4
6
Follow the path round to the right just after the small bridge.
1.9
7
At the tee junction turn left, followed by a sharp right
2.5
8
Turn right up the hill and stay on this path.
2.6
9
At the bottom of the hill turn left. Stables are opposite.
4.8
10
At entrance to castle, turn left up the road. Dont go down the private road.
5.2
11
At the tee turn left and go up the hill.
6.1
12
Over the top of the hill and Duchray bridge should be in sight. Follow the path down to the bridge and cross over.
7.1
13
Once over the bridge follow the zig zag road up the hill. Then keep on the main road.
7.7
14
Victorian pumping station ahead and various parts of the aquaduct
8.5
15
Once at the junction, just past the barrier, turn left heading towards the aquaduct.
10
16
Once past the aqueduct follow the road to the left
10.3
17
At the bottom of the hill turn left towards Aberfoyle
11.9
18
Once past the Duchray entrance, go up the hill on the right fork.
13.3
19
Keep on the path as it climbs up the highest point of the run.
14
20
Keep on the main path
15.5
21
At the bottom of the hill turn left
16.6
22
The path now turns right and a long straight awaits.
16.9
23
Keep on the main path .
17.9
24
You are now back on the road you started on. Keep on this all the way back to the car park.
18.7
25
Turn right back to Aberfoyle
19.7
26
Turn right back into the car park.
20.4
27
And finish .. time for a wee picnic beside the river.
20.5
Main village car park
Large and free car park beside the river
Views from just outside the village
Looking west
Views from just outside the village
Image from Queen Elizabeth forest park
Approaching turn in the road
From here you head on the path to the right
Various views on the first down
Various views on the first down
Image from Queen Elizabeth forest park
Various views on the first down
Image from Queen Elizabeth forest park
Various views on the first down
Image from Queen Elizabeth forest park
Various views on the first down
Image from Queen Elizabeth forest park
Various views on the first down
Ben Venue in the distance
Various views on the first down
Ben Venue with a cap of snow
Various views on the first down
Image from Queen Elizabeth forest park
Various views on the first down
Image from Queen Elizabeth forest park
Land of rainbows and snow
Duchray bridge
Duchray bridge
Image from Queen Elizabeth forest park
Duchray bridge
Image from Queen Elizabeth forest park
Duchray bridge
Image from Queen Elizabeth forest park
Pumping station
Pumping station
Image from Queen Elizabeth forest park
Pumping station
Image from Queen Elizabeth forest park
One of many Victorian aquaducts
One of many Victorian aquaducts
Image from Queen Elizabeth forest park
One of many Victorian aquaducts
Image from Queen Elizabeth forest park
More aquaducts
More aquaducts
Image from Queen Elizabeth forest park
More aquaducts
Image from Queen Elizabeth forest park
Start of last climb
Start of last climb
Image from Queen Elizabeth forest park
Longest part of last climb
Longest part of last climb
Image from Queen Elizabeth forest park
At the top, mainly downhill
Shaft marker
Nice gentle down slope
