Getting around Stronachlachar on Loch Katrine
Stronachlachar sits at the western end of Loch Katrine, within Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. It is one of the most beautiful and quietly remarkable locations in Scotland, a place where forest meets water and the sense of arrival still matters.
Yet the experience does not begin at the pier. It begins ten miles earlier, in Aberfoyle.
Aberfoyle, Gateway to the Trossachs
The village of Aberfoyle is the gateway to The Trossachs. Surrounded by inviting hills and woodland, it provides both practical amenities and invites you to explore. There is cycle hire, a Co-op supermarket, a chemist, gift shops and coffee shops, alongside the Lodge Forest Visitor Centre with its walking trails, waterfall and Go Ape! aerial assault course in the forest and home to the longest zip line in Scotland.
Many guests pause in Aberfoyle to gather supplies or stretch their legs before heading west.
From Aberfoyle, the road to Stronachlachar begins to narrow and climb, and the pace changes.
Loch Ard
Go Ape!
One of Scotland’s Most Scenic Short Drives
The eleven-mile route from Aberfoyle to Stronachlachar is widely regarded as one of Scotland’s most atmospheric short journeys.
The road passes three lochs before reaching Loch Katrine: Loch Ard, Loch Chon and Loch Arklet. Loch Ard and Loch Chon are ideal for kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding, their calm waters framed by forested slopes. On the far side of Loch Ard and Loch Chon lie some of the region’s well-known gravel cycling trails, offering spectacular woodland routes for those who have brought bikes or hired them in Aberfoyle.
The road itself is single track in places but well-maintained, with regular passing places and a good surface. It weaves through woodland and open countryside and is generally quiet. There are stretches where you may not encounter another vehicle for several minutes.
As you approach Loch Arklet, the trees thin and the landscape opens. At the T-junction, turning left takes you towards Inversnaid and Loch Lomond. Turning right brings you down towards Stronachlachar.
A Lochside Hamlet with 360-Degree Highland Views
Stronachlachar itself is a small lochside hamlet: pier, café, cottages and lodge set against a backdrop of woodland and hillside. Our accommodation sits on the site of the former Trossachs Hotel, once part of the famous Trossachs Tour that brought Victorian travellers here by rail, steamer and carriage.
From this western shore, the views are expansive in every direction. The loch stretches east towards the heart of The Trossachs. Forest rises behind as part of the Great Trossachs Forest restoration project. On clear days, distant peaks including Ben Lomond and the Arrochar Alps form part of the dramatic skyline beyond the surrounding hills.
The sense of space is complete yet never exposed. It feels sheltered, but open.
The Steamship and Pier Café
We highly recommend the Pier Café. Whether it’s breakfast, a snack, or a full meal, the food is excellent, and we enjoy a visit most days. Mark and Eilidh, who own the café, have deservedly won awards, along with an excellent reputation that draws people far and wide to enjoy the food and drink in this wonderful setting.
From late March to late October, Steamship Sir Walter Scott sails twice daily between Trossachs Pier and Stronachlachar, arriving at 11.30am and 3.30pm. As she approaches, one of the team from the Pier Café steps out to collect her ropes.
Guests can join a return sailing or travel one way and cycle or walk back along the fourteen-mile lochside road connecting the two piers. The route is smooth, quiet, and ideal for relaxed cycling or steady walking, and forms part of the Great Trossachs Path.
Wildlife, Forest and the Quiet of Nature
Stronachlachar lies within the Great Trossachs Forest, one of the UK’s most ambitious woodland restoration projects. Native Scots pine, oak, birch and rowan are gradually reclaiming the hillsides, encouraging the return of wildlife.
Ospreys patrol the skies during the breeding season, occasionally seen hovering before diving for fish. Red squirrels move through woodland edges. Pine martens are present, though rarely seen. Deer can often be spotted at dawn and dusk near the shoreline.
The surrounding trails include the Great Trossachs Path, which runs between Callander and Inversnaid. At Inversnaid, you can join the West Highland Way, Scotland’s 96-mile long-distance route. The nearby RSPB reserve at Inversnaid offers woodland nature trails and waterfall views, while cruises depart here to allow you to explore Loch Lomond.
Dark Skies and Stargazing on Clear Nights
One of the understated privileges of staying at Stronachlachar is the night sky.
With minimal light pollution and no urban glow on the horizon, clear evenings reveal remarkable star fields. On still nights, the loch reflects the moonlight. Constellations appear sharp and bright. During winter, the Milky Way is often visible to the naked eye.
Guests frequently comment on the quiet after dark, broken only by owls, wind in the trees or the gentle movement of water against the shore.
A Location That Encourages You to Slow Down
You may spend a day climbing hills, cycling forest trails or cruising the loch. Or you may sit with coffee watching the loch, walk slowly along the shore, and do very little at all. Either way, your stay will refresh you and provide a welcome escape from your usual routines and busy days.