The following is a press release dated 7 November 2006 from Forestry Commission Scotland.

Climbing many of the hills in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park has become easier and more enjoyable since the recent completion of an access improvement project led by Forestry Commission Scotland.

The £3 million project to upgrade recreational facilities across Argyll and Queen Elizabeth Forest Parks was phased over 5 years. Andy Malcolm, Forestry Commission Scotland’s Project Manager for Cowal & Trossachs outlined the work carried out:

“We have built or repaired about 14km of hill paths, as well as over 100km of lower level trails through the forests. We have also improved or created 37 car parks and erected 28 information points, which highlight key points about each area and describe the surrounding trails.

“Some of our work was done by the Environmental Task Force, young unemployed people receiving work experience and training under the New Deal scheme, who did much to enhance the surrounds of car parks and paths by thinning vegetation and opening up views.

“Instead of a rough and sometimes muddy slog through the forest, hill walkers can now cruise up excellent paths with some great views. We have continued the path work on to the open hill where the wear and tear made it necessary.”

This short new path takes walkers onto Ben Donich, avoiding a trudge through a boggy section of harvested trees.

The Cobbler is one of the most popular hills in Argyll Forest Park, attracting 115,000 visitors a year. Here £300,000 has been spent upgrading the path from the car park on the shores of Loch Long all the way to the summit.

The Cobbler path now takes a completely new line from the bottom of the hill, avoiding the steep old track-way traditionally used and instead climbing more gently around a series of well-graded zigzags. The work has been done sensitively to blend in with the mountain environment. To reduce erosion near the summit, where the gradient is steeper, the path is cobbled using stone that blends with the surrounding outcrops.

In Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, Forestry Commission Scotland has created a new connection to Ben Venue from the car park at the west end of Loch Achray, via a new bridge over the Achray Water. A short viewpoint loop has also been built from the car park.

Ben A’an, although lower, is also a very popular hill, attracting over 50,000 visits a year. Upgrading of the upper 650m of path allows walkers to take in the splendid panorama over the Trossachs rather than watching their feet every step of the way.

The path on the commonly used route up Ben Ledi has been upgraded all the way to the upper edge of the forest, and a loop of path has been built in Stank Glen, which makes a very pleasant descent for walkers doing a circuit. For those wanting a different and even more scenic route, a new link has been created through the forest from the Bocastle car park, so it is now possible to climb the ridge all the way from its south end.

At Beinn an t-Sidhein above Strathyre, the path has again been upgraded all the way to the upper edge of the forest. It doesn’t take long to climb above the glen for birds-eye views of the village and Loch Lubnaig.

The access improvement project has also opened up a fresh opportunity for long distance walkers. A new link path from Ardgartan to Arrochar has created a connection between the Cowal Way and Loch Lomond and the West Highland Way. Portavadie on Loch Fyne to Fort William could be the new challenge.

For more information on walking and other activities on land managed by Forestry Commission Scotland visit www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland. Or see the new leaflet Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Woodland Walks, which details car parks and trails and is available from David Marshall Lodge, the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park visitor centre by Aberfoyle, and from Tourist Information Centres in the National Park.