Will you beat the 3 Lochs?

Can you beat our 3 lochs trek in the heart of The Trossachs National Park? Choose between our 21 mile trail, taking in Loch Venachar, Loch Drunkie and Loch Achray, or our 13-mile trail which will see you navigate a route to our 'unofficial' Loch Hardy, Loch Venachar and Loch Drunkie.

Beat the Trails for Marie Curie and help people get the best care possible, to the end.

About the route

Starting at the rustic and picturesque Dounans Activity Centre nestled in the foothills of the stunning Achray Forest, the routes head up into the forest on the longest incline of the day before joining the Three Lochs Forest Drive and reaching the first of our lochs at the serene Loch Drunkie.

13 mile trail

• From Loch Drunkie, we'll descend down through the forest to the stunning Loch Venachar and enjoy some tranquil Loch side walking before making our way back up into the forest to follow well-trodden trails towards our final 'Loch'
• Our third and final 'Loch' in little 'Loch Hardy', or 'Stank Loch' will be well worth the incline with the amazing views of Loch Venachar and Ben Ledi beyond on offer from its elevated position.

21 mile trail

• From Loch Drunkie we'll head deep into the Achray Forest to pick up beautifully maintained trails that will take us to the edge of the stunning Loch Achray, capturing breathtaking views of the 'mini mountain' Ben A'an across the water.
• We'll continue along Loch side to move from Loch Achray to Loch Venachar to enjoy woodland, beautiful loch views and local wildlife before making our way back up into the forest to follow well-trodden trails towards our final 'Loch'
• Our third and final 'Loch' in little 'Loch Hardy', or 'Stank Loch' will be well worth the incline with the amazing views of Loch Venachar and Ben Ledi beyond on offer from its elevated position.
• We'll then follow the forest trail back towards Aberfoyle picking up the famous Rob Roy Way for miles of iconic Troassachs views along the Menteith Hills and over towards Loch Lomond before reaching the Dounans finish line...where you'll be awarded with your Beat the Trails medal and the well-deserved glass of fizz!

Route difficulty

Route difficulty level

• The difficulty level is general moderate for participants arriving trained and prepared to walk these distances and gradients.

Difficulty rating

• 13 miles: 3/10

• 21 miles: 4/10

• (1 Being equal to walking a flat riverside walk, 10 being equal to climbing a UK mountain).

Terrain

• You can expect mostly well-maintained compacted gravel tracks, but with stretches of woodland trails and open field footpaths.

Parking

Please note there is free park and ride for this event which will be located at Drymen Showfield.

The routes are subject to permission and changes. In the unlikely event of any changes, we'll be sure to let all participants know of any updates to the route.