Ben A’an
NN509070 Cross 1 the A821 to a track opposite. Where it bends left, keep ahead up a well made path. This takes you up steeply, to a footbridge over Allt Inneir, then less steeply until it levels off in a clear-felled area, with Ben A'an pretending to be the Matterhorn ahead. This former plantation will now regenerate naturally, eventually retrieving the proper Trossachs oakwood and pine described by Sir Walter Scott.
NN508075 The path 2 crosses a forest track, then enters birchwoods, with some boulders to rest on provided the mountain bikers aren't using them for leaps and wheelies (as they were on my last visit). The path steepens, becoming quite rocky to the right of a small stream. Where the path divides and fades, it will be found again just to the left of the stream. It runs up below craggy knolls – short cuts up left here are scrambling opportunities. The path itself runs west of north to a small saddle, where it turns back left to the rocky top of Ben A'an.
NN502081 The views 3 along Loch Katrine and across to Ben Venue are ones to linger over – you'll need the panorama option on your phone. Return north to the small saddle where the main path turns down to the right. There, turn down to the left, on a small faint path (marked on Harvey maps) into a wide gorge. It has some boggy bits and heathery ones as well.
NN499084 When 4 you meet a fence with a stile, don't cross it, but head down on the left of the fence. Soon you enter oakwoods (with commercial plantations on the right behind the fence). The path is rough and small, but beautiful. Eventually it dumps you onto the tarmac lane alongside Loch Katrine.
NN491080 Turn left, 5 to pass along a craggy section where the path was formerly suspended from heather ropes above the water, to arrive at the ferry pier with its handy café. Pass through the car park onto the access road. After 500m, turn right into a tarmac lane, but at once turn left through an informal parking area to a
duckboard path through the woods. Where the path divides, a signpost 'to car park' could be indicating either, as they both lead there. This is the car park for Ben Venue. Turn left along the road for 200m, then turn right for 280m to Ben A'an car park where the walk started.