within walking distance

WITHIN WALKING/CYCLING DISTANCE:

Watersports at Lochearnhead

Continue up the A84 to Lochearnhead village. At the junction, turn right towards Crieff. Cross over the bridge and go past the village hall on your left – the Watersports centre will be on your right. There is a café, an outdoor seating area and a range of water sports available such as water skiing and banana boating.

www.activescotland.com

National Cycle Route No. 7

This is part of the National Cycle Network that spreads throughout the entire UK. Route number 7 starts at Carlisle and continues for a couple of hundred miles before finishing at Inverness. Part of this route runs adjacent to the park, on the other side of the A84. It is suited for cycling, walking and horse riding and is a very scenic route, especially for people who do not live in rural areas and therefore are not used to the mountainous scenery.

The Golden Larches Restaurant

Almost exactly opposite the park, this high-quality and welcoming licensed restaurant offers traditional Scottish meals using local sources wherever possible. It seats up to fifty people and welcomes families, walkers, cyclists, groups and is also suitable for wheelchair users. It is renowned for its home cooking and baking.

The Mountains

The area is covered in mountains, so keen walkers will have the time of their life conquering peaks and taking in breathtaking views during their stay. Ben Vorlich is easily accessed from Lochearnhead – just before you get to the village, turn right onto the South Loch Earn Road – and this fabulous mountain offers views to Stirling and beyond. Other mountains include Cruach Ardrain, Stobinian and Beinn Tulaichean, easily accessed from Balquhidder Glen. To get to Balquhidder, travel south for about half a mile and turn off at the Kingshouse Hotel. The road twists and goes under the A84 and then straight on into the glen itself.

Kirkton Glen, Balquhidder

Kirkton Glen runs north from Balquhidder to Glen Dochart. The route starts at Balquhidder Church in the village. It is possible to do a six mile circular route, going about halfway up the glen before turning back and returning to Balquhidder by one of three paths, this will take about two hours. Alternatively, you may choose to do the seven mile linear route, starting at Balquhidder and finishing up at Glen Dochart (you might need to arrange transport back to Balquhidder though, unless you wish to walk 18 miles back to Balquhidder down the Old Railway line!) This journey will take about four hours – it will take much longer than the circular route because of the constant uphill for most of the way. This route is recommended for keen walkers.

Pubs

Pubs are present both in Lochearnhead to the north and Strathyre to the south. Also, the Kingshouse Hotel about half a mile south of the park offers drinks at the Rob Roy Bar or meals in the restaurant. Free taxi service available when you book to have a meal at the Kingshouse.