Ultimate guide to the Ben A’an walk in the Trossachs, Scotland
I’ve now done the Ben A’an walk twice (my most hiked walk in Scotland!) both from different starting points since the second time I tried to do this Scottish hike, the car park was full so we found another, completely deserted trail.
While it’s not a quiet trail to do in Scotland, and not the best choice if you’re looking to get away from people and more into the wilderness, it’s no wonder that this trail gets super busy since it’s such an easy walk in Scotland with great bang for your buck!
Ben A’an’s distinctive pointed summit is an iconic sight in the Trossachs National Park landscape, and the views from the top are truly panoramic. From the car park at the foot of the mountain, you can already see stunning views of Loch Achray, and from the summit, you can see as far as the Arrochar Alps on the western shore of Loch Lomond on a clear day.
From the summit of Ben A’an, you’ll get amazing views of Loch Katrine Trossachs and nearby hills, including Ben Venue and Ben Ledi. It’s a very worthwhile walk and its amazing views for little effort have even led to Ben A’an being described as a “mountain in miniature.”
Below, I’ll share everything you need to know before doing the Ben A’an walk, including how to hike Ben A’an from Loch Katrine if the usual car park is full.
Looking for more easy walks near Loch Lomond? Check out The Whangie walk!
How to get to the trailhead for Ben A’an
Ben A’an is near the pretty town of Callander in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.
The car park for Ben A’an is located on the A821 between Kilmahog and Aberfoyle, 300m east of the turning to Loch Katrine. You can easily reach the car park by car.
I use comparison sites like DiscoverCars and RentalCars to book my car rentals as it’s easy to check prices and compare the best deals!
The car park at the usual trailhead for Ben A’an quickly gets full on a nice day. Even in early March, the car park was full when we turned up and so I imagine it gets very full during the summer!
If that car park is full, don’t be tempted to park along the road as it’s prohibited and can lead to getting a parking ticket which is not nice to come back to. Parking on the road also prevents emergency vehicles from accessing the area if needed.
You also need to pay for parking here and should also for at least three hours’ worth of parking time. You can pay with the RingGo app which I highly recommend for your visit to Scotland since so many car parks use this. You can also pay with coins or by card.
It costs £1 for 1 hour or £5 for all day to park at Ben A’an’s car park.
If the car park by Ben A’an is full, you can try parking at Loch Katrine which has a much bigger car park and similar parking fees. You can see how to hike up Ben A’an via a much quieter trail via the details below.
What to know before doing these Ben Aan walks
In addition to checking the weather for Ben A’an here are several other things you should know before attempting the walk to Ben A’an.
- Always practice leave no trace ethics and pack out anything you take with you.
- Stick to pre-existing trails to avoid eroding the landscape
- Always pack layers and waterproofs – this is Scotland after all!
- Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back.
- Make sure you walk with your 10 essentials.
Navigating while on the trail: You can find this hike on AllTrails which is my usual go-to for planning my hikes, navigating, checking trail conditions and, if hiking solo, making sure others know I’m safe. The OS Map app is one of the best hiking apps for trails in the UK and is just like having hundreds of OS maps in your pocket!
Guide to how to do the Ben A’an Walk
How to do the Ben A’An walk
To hike Ben A’an from the usual route, you’ll want to cross the road from the car park (detailed above) and then follow the signposts which point you uphill.
These days the trail has steps which make it a bit less boggy and easier to climb but you should still expect your heart rate to increase!
The trail begins by heading up the track, and when it swings left, take the path directly ahead amongst the trees.
The Ben A’an walk is a bit steeper here and you’ll need to cross a tumbling stream via a footbridge.
The trail then follows a small stream and gently climbs into old woodland, eventually leading to a clearing where you’ll see the summit of Ben A’an for the first time.
From the clearing, the ascent continues upwards before crossing the stream once more, this time via a stepping stone.
The trees begin to thin out here and you’ll reach a felled area of the forest.
Enjoy the awesome views as you can see the summit of Ben A’an ahead of you!
The climb to the summit may seem daunting at first, but from the clearing, the path is constructed of large boulders, making it easier to navigate.
You’ll gain height quickly for the final summit push through or up and over the large rocks.
Once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with 360-degree views of the stunning Scottish landscape, including Loch Katrine, Ben Venue, Arrochar Alps, Ben Lomond, Loch Achray, and nearby Ben Ledi.
Once you’ve taken in the views from Ben A’an, you can retrace your steps back to the car park.
Walking up Ben A’an from Loch Katrine
If you’re unable to park at the main car park, another option is to hike to the top of Ben A’an from Loch Katrine.
You can park up in the car park and pay for parking before beginning your walk around the right-hand side of Loch Katrine.
Using a mapping app like OS Maps, AllTrails+ or following a route like my one on Strava (below), keep an eye out for a faint trail going up through the forest on your right. Look out for several large blocks of concrete that you can use to step up into the forest.
Once you’re in the forest, follow the fence posts until you come out of the trees.
Keep following the fence posts until you get to a point where you can see the trail crossing to your right and going over a small stream. From here, it’s just a matter of following the trail up towards Ben A’an.
You’ll come out to a meeting point with the other trail before turning right and summiting the final few metres of Ben A’an.
Be aware that this route can be quite boggy, so it’s recommended to wear good hiking boots or trail running shoes.
Once you’ve taken in the stunning views from the summit, you can follow the trail back down to the loch and your car.
Stats for the Ben A’an hike
Ben A’an normal route
- Distance: 3.7 km
- Ben A’an walk time: 1-2 hours
- Difficulty: Easy-moderate
- Elevation: 348 m
- Trail map on AllTrails+
Ben A’an from Loch Katrine
- Distance: 5.5 km
- Duration: 1-2 hours
- Ben A’an Difficulty: Easy-moderate
- Elevation: 382 m
- My Ben A’an map on Strava
What to pack for Ben A’an Scotland
What to pack for this hike depends on what season you’re hiking in.
- Check out my day hike packing list here.
- If you’re hiking in summer you should pack sunscreen, sunglasses, layers, water and bug spray as well as everything in the 10 essentials for hiking list.
- Here is what to wear hiking in hot weather
- Check out this post on the best leggings for hiking or what to wear hiking in summer for more details and my gear recommendations.
- If you’re hiking in winter after the snow has started falling you’ll need microspikes at the very least. If there is a lot of snow you will probably need snowshoes.
- You should also take plenty of layers including a fleece layer, a puffy insulated jacket and a wind and waterproof outer layer. Hats and gloves are also necessary as well as a good backpack to keep everything in.
- You should also pack water and some snacks too to keep you going as they’re part of the 10 essentials for hiking!
- Planning a hiking date? Check out what to wear on a hiking date but still look cool.
Final thoughts on the Ben A’an walk
Hiking Ben A’an is a rewarding experience that offers stunning views of the Scottish Highlands, overlooking Loch Katrine and Loch Achray, with far-reaching views to nearby hills including Ben Venue and Ben Ledi.
The Ben A’an walk is quite easy and you’ll get amazing views from the summit for what’s a relatively easy walk of about 1-2 hours.
Though busy and a popular hike in the Trossachs National Park near Loch Lomond, you can also hike Ben A’an from Loch Katrine which is a quieter more rugged trail to the summit and a good alternative if the usual car park is full.
FAQs about walking Ben A’an
Where is Ben A’an?
Is Ben Aan a hard climb?
How long does it take to climb Ben Aan?
Is Ben A’an a munro?
Hannah started That Adventurer after graduating back in 2013 and has documented all of her adventures since then. From backpacking South America to city breaks in Europe, a 3 month road trip across the USA in a self-converted van and 6 years living in Canada, you’ll find posts on all of this.
Hannah specialises in active travel and on That Adventurer you’ll find hiking, walking, biking, skiing and all sorts of active travel guides to allow you to see a destination in an adventurous way.
Now back in Europe, you’ll find new guides as Hannah and her husband spend the next year ‘digital nomading’ from Norway to Portugal, Switzerland to Scotland and places in between.
