LOCATION
(Click on
to see a map of the start location.)
Loch Katrine, Perthshire. Two access points:
1. Trosachs Pier on the A821, 8km north of Aberfoyle, 11km west of Callander. Car park at pier.
GR NN 495 072.
2. Stronachlachar, on the B829, 14km west of Aberfoyle. Car park at pier.
GR NN 403 102, OS Sheet 56.
A road links 1. and 2. Circuit can be completed by using cruise steamer or a hill walk along the south side of the loch (off road footwear required).
DISTANCE
21km
Option A - CIRCUMNAVIGATION - Follow the road from the pier past rhododenron bushes to a gate. Turn right onto the water board road and ski for 21km, initially west to Glengyle, then east along the north shore of the loch to Trossachs Pier (cafe, toilets). Continue past pier for 1km then turn right along a water board access road, At the sluices, put on walking footwear and climb to the Bealach nam Bo. Once through the notch, carefully navigate down to the end of the landrover track at Glasahoile This becomes a skiable surfaced road at Royal Cottage, and rejoins the Stronachlachar road 1km south of the pier.
Option B - SKI 'N' CRUISE - Take the cruise steamship "SS Sir Walter Scott" to Trossachs Pier (12:00 in 2004 - 01877 376 316). Disembark at Trossachs Pier and rollerski back to Stronachlachar.
SURFACE/DESIGNATION
Tarmac road belonged to West of Scotland Water.
Except around Trossachs, the road has a rough central ridge and is best suited to classic skiing.
Not suitable for beginners.
SAFETY DETAILS
21km of scenic private water board road closed to public traffic.
Mostly gently undulating, but there is a long steep hill on north side of loch, which is unsafe to ski down. Take care at blind corners - there can be lots of cyclists and walkers on a good summer's day.
Some blind bends and a cattle grid half way round.
FACILITIES
Tea shop and toilets at Trossachs. Toilets at Stronachlachar. Cruise steamer links to Stronachlachar in summer.
OTHER DETAILS
Parts are suitable for group instruction but main advantage of this venue is for long endurance sessions or for roller ski touring. The scenery is magnificent.
A recommended place to stay is at Balavulin B&B, Lochard Road, FK8 3TF, Tel 01877 382771. This is 1.1 miles out of Aberfoyle on the road to Stronachlachar.
Brian Adams,
Western Track Ski Club