Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park

Scotland's first national park is packed with interesting corners for you to explore, each with its own character. Between 22 lochs, 39 miles of coastline around three sea lochs, miles of rivers and paths, 21 Munros (mountains over 3,000 ft) and acres of unspoilt land, there is an endless list of things to see and do in the scenic Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.

Loch Katrine seen from the summit of Ben A'an in The Trossachs.
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Key facts about the national park

Walkers on the West Highland Way
© VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins

Where?

The park lies in the central belt of Scotland, north of Glasgow and west of Stirling.

Size & status

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Pak stretches 1,865 sq km (720 sq miles) and has a boundary rate of 350 km (220 miles). It was established as a National Park in 2002.

Key towns

Aberfoyle, Balloch, Callander, Killin, Luss, Tarbet

Glasgow is the closest city to the south, roughly 35 minutes away, Stirling around 45 minutes away, and Edinburgh is approximately 90 minutes’ drive from the park.

The park stretches across several regions including parts of the Highlands, Perthshire, Argyll & The Isles, and Loch Lomond, Trossachs, Stirling & Fort Valley.

Explore the national park by area

Loch Lomond

Head to the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond with plenty of things to see & do for day trips and holiday inspiration.

The Trossachs

Plan a trip to explore Queen Elizabeth Forest Park and The Great Trossachs Forest, both National Scenic Areas.

Cowal

Home to Argyll Forest Park, Britain's oldest and perhaps one of the finest, where you’ll find Benmore Botanic Garden.

Breadalbane

The western half of Breadalbane lies within the national park and is home to Rob Roy Country.

Things to do in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

Steamship Sir Walter Scott
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Cruising

It’s impossible to visit the national park and not explore the magical lochs here.

Loch Lomond: catch a cruise from Balloch with Sweeney’s Cruise Co, or from Luss, Tarbet and Inveruglas with Cruise Loch Lomond.
Loch Katrine: there are four boats departing from Trossachs Pier including Sir Walter Scott Steamship and the Lady of the Lake.
Waterbus services: departing from various locations around the two lochs, this scheduled waterbus service is ideal to see even more of the park.

Find more information on loch cruises.

Kayakers on Loch Chon
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Watersports & boating

It’s easy to get active on the waters in the national park. Enjoy a range of water activities including canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, sailing and boating.

Explore more water activities and sports.
Learn about boating on Loch Lomond, the Byelaws and how to register your vessel.

Ben Ledi in The Trossachs
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Walking, hiking & climbing

Whether you’re looking for ideas on relaxing family walks, more strenuous hikes or adventurous scrambles, for an afternoon or long distance, there are plenty of great choices in the national park.

Hills: Ben A'an, Conic Hill, Callander Crags
Munros: Beinn Ime, Ben Vorlich, Ben Lomond
Short routes: Bracklinn Falls Circuit, Cashel Forest Paths, The Trossachs Trail
Long distance walks: West Highland Way, Rob Roy Way, John Muir Way
Waterfall walks: Bracklinn Falls, Falls of Dochart

Discover more walks and hikes.
Find more ideas for climbing.

A family day out cycling in the forest around Loch Ard
© VisitScotland / Luigi Di Pasquale

Cycling & mountain biking

Cycling is a great way to explore the park so get on your two wheels and pedal your way around Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. Bring your own or hire one locally, you’re guaranteed an unforgettable experience.

Family-friendly trails: Rob Roy Loop, West Loch Lomond cycle path
Mountain biking routes: Three Glens Route, Loch Venachar Circuit, Loch Eck Loop
Follow National Cycle Route 7 through the heart of the national park.

Discover more cycling routes.

Explore more things to do

Camping

Spend a night under the stars. Find a campsite, get a permit and learn all you need to know before you go.

Golf

Tee off at a range of great courses including Aberfoyle Golf Course, Callander Golf Course, and more.

Angling

Enjoy fishing for salmon and sea trout in the national park, but first learn about required permissions.

Stargazing

Enjoy a spot of stargazing at dark sky spots, including Loch Lomond, Lake of Menteith, and Callander.

Attractions to visit in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

Dumbarton Castle and Dumbarton Rock
© VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins

Castles & historic attractions

Make sure you plan a visit to a castle or a historic house on your trip to Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. Conquer more than 500 steps to get to Dumbarton Castle, or go for a walk to see ruins of Balloch Castle - perfrect plan for a family day out!

Find more historic sites in the national park

Wildlife & nature attractions

There are so many fantastic outdoor attractions in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park that you’ll be coming back again and again to explore them all. From action-packed forests to scenic nature reserves and serene wildlife hides, find ideas on how to get up close with nature.

Find more wildlife & nature attractions in the national park

Family days out

There are many fantastic places to visit within Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park that the whole family will love. From strolling along the impressive avenue of huge redwood trees at Benmore Botanic Garden to sailing down Loch Katrine on a historic steamship or walking up Conic Hill, you won't be short for ideas on what to do with the kids.

Go Ape Aberfoyle

Challenge yourself at Go Ape in Aberfoyle, a mecca for adventure-seekers and home to two of Scotland's longest zip lines.

Benmore Botanic Garden

Huge redwood trees form the most dramatic entrance here.

Inchmahome Island and Priory

Explore Inchmahome Island and Priory on the Lake of Menteith where Robert the Bruce sought solace and Mary, Queen of Scots found safety as a child.

The Maid of the Loch

Come aboard the Maid of the Loch, a 555-ton paddle steamer, and enjoy visitor displays, children’s activities, tearoom and more.

Loch Lomond Faerie Trail

Have an enchanting adventure following Loch Lomond Faerie Trail, filled with magical faerie houses, sparkly faerie wings and more.

Roderick Dhu Viewpoint

Follow a scenic path to the three-story tower and lookout point at Roderick Dhu Viewpoint above Trossachs Pier at Loch Katrine.

SEA LIFE Loch Lomond

Make your way through seven immersive zones and discover an amazing underwater world at

In Your Element Outdoor Experiences

From archery to axe throwing, have an exhilarating outdoor experience with In Your Element.

Lennox of Lomond Farm Tours

Lennox of Lomond is a working farm where you can go on a quad bike trailer tour around the farm and learn about day in the life of a farmer.

Conic Hill

Take in the view from Conic Hill located at the heart of the national park. This little summit is easily accessible for all the family.

Find more inspiring things to do in Loch Lomond

Plan your trip to Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

Places to stay

From luxury hotels and lodges to friendly B&Bs or cosy country inns, accommodation in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park offers a wide range of facilities to make your stay comfortable. Find your perfect spot to stay in the national park.

Find accommodation in Loch Lomond.
Explore all accommodation in Loch Lomnond & The Trossachs National Park.

The Lodge on Loch Lomond Hotel
© Love Loch Lomond

Where to eat

You'll find plenty of local producers, family-friendly restaurants and cosy cafés around the national park. From Duck Bay Hotel & Restaurant to Colquhoun's Loch Lomond Restaurant and The Oak Tree Inn, you'll be spoilt for choices.

Explore places to eat in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.
Browse more food & drink options.

National Cycle Network Route 7
© Sustrans / Andy McCandlish

Travel

You can access the park easily by all means of transport.

By train: it's served by regular rail services directly from Glasgow via ScotRail, and from England via Avanti West Coast into Glasgow.
By coach: you can travel on one of the two Citylink routes - one going to Fort William and the Isle of Skye and the other to Oban and Campbeltown.
By car: 35 minutes from Glasgow, 90 minutes from Edinburgh, 3 hours 30 minutes from Inverness, 4 hours from Manchester, 7 hours 30 minutes from London.
Use the National Park Journey Planner to check the available transport options, showing the price and the route.

Learn more about getting around Loch Lomond & The trossachs National Park.
Explore the park using the interactive map.

Fire safety outdoors

As the weather gets drier, the risk of wildfire in Scotland increases. Fire can ignite easily, spread fast and burn with high intensity. We're all asked not to light a fire outdoors during prolonged dry periods, and to always fully extinguish cigarettes.

Find out more on preventing wildfires in Scotland.

Go on a road trip

The Duke's Pass through Queen Elizabeth Forest Park

Scenic driving routes

Check out these unmissable scenic drives around Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park and experience a road trip that you will be talking about for years to come.

Find more scenic roads in the Loch Lomond area.

Respect, protect and take care of the national park

Be a responsible visitor

From travelling off peak and reducing waste, to supporting local businesses and respecting local culture, read how you can be a responsible visitor.

How to camp responsibly

Learn how to camp responsibly at Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, from how to avoid overcrowding to lighting fires, clean water and more.

Learn about volunteering

Be inspired to volunteer within the park. Get tips on how you can get involved, from practical conservation tasks to inspiring visitors as a ranger.

Find information on accessible trips

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is very accessible for visitors of all abilities.

A family explores the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.
© Sustrans / Andy McCandlish

Learn more

Whether you’re coming with kids, need a mobility scooter or you’re a wheelchair user, you’ll find that many parts of the parks are easily accessible.

More useful information on accessibility within the park

Find experiences

Search a wide range of accommodation, events, food & drink options and things to do from indoor and outdoor attractions to activities, tours and more.

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