Parking
The very small car park on the A827 is the closest start. If it is full, an A827 layby near the Falls of Dochart or the car parks in Killin are alternatives; from Killin, follow the public foot approach over Dochart Bridge.
Overview
About Acharn Forest Circuit
Why go
- A gentle climb and easy grade
- Old railway path, woodland and hill views add variety
Heads up
- Long stretches are enclosed by conifers
- The closest parking area is very small
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs map
Full mapElevation130–261 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
4 active Loch Lomond & The Trossachs alerts
- CautionA82 restriction near Kings House HotelThe A82 is restricted in both directions near Kings House Hotel, Glencoe, because of planned roadworks. - Temporary traffic lights are in place; follow the traffic management.Official details
- ClosureDaytime A827 closure at KillinThe A827 at Killin is closed during the day for roadworks from 28 September through 9 October 2026. - Closure hours: 9:30am to 3:30pm; avoid the route during those hours.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs Tour Guide
Your drive to Acharn Forest Circuit, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
Recorded for this area
Falls of Dochart in Killin0:00 / 0:32
“Up ahead in Killin, the Falls of Dochart tumble through the village beneath an old stone road bridge.”
Plays on the road 0.2 km from the trailhead in the Parkwolf Loch Lomond & The Trossachs Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Six Stones in Kinnell Park
- A Big View in Two Steep Miles
- Moirlanich Longhouse in Glen Lochay
- The Words on Killin’s Cross
- 196 audio storiesacross Loch Lomond & The Trossachs’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Golden Eagle, Red Deer, Mute Swan, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 93 trails, 73 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Acharn Forest Circuit
The circuitAcharn Forest Circuit is an easy 3.
Acharn Forest Circuit is an easy 3.75-mile (6 km) loop southwest of Killin, starting along the old railway path before a gentle climb on forest tracks and a separate descent back to the start. A short shared track links the loop at its beginning and end; longer Glen Ogle and Loch Breaclaich extensions are separate walks. Allow 1.5–2.5 hours. Published mileage rounds this to 4 miles.
Where the views openThe broad railway path passes open fields, a pond and Acharn’s buildings before the route turns…
The broad railway path passes open fields, a pond and Acharn’s buildings before the route turns uphill. Deer are sometimes seen in the fields. The rise is steady but gentle; mostly conifer plantation closes in around the track, with pockets of broad-leaved woodland and open moorland. Look back toward Meall Clachach, then ahead for the Tarmachan Ridge and Ben Lawers through breaks in the trees. The moderate descent has a few views across Glen Dochart, but much of the circuit stays beneath the canopy.
Start and effortThe closest trailhead is a very small A827 car park.
The closest trailhead is a very small A827 car park. If it is full, try the A827 layby near the Falls of Dochart or Killin village car parks; from Killin, take the public foot approach over Dochart Bridge. The path is mostly compacted, with some loose material; ascent is about 130 m. Dogs are allowed under Scotland’s Outdoor Access Code; keep them under control around wildlife and livestock. Falls of Dochart Inn is a separate Killin food stop with a café, restaurant, smokehouse and shop.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs
14 sightingsGolden EagleMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
37 sightingsRed DeerMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
100 sightingsMute SwanMost seen around 11 AMSighting map
48 sightingsOspreyMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
24 sightingsEurasian BeaverMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
37 sightingsEurasian Pine MartenMost seen around 7 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Loch Lomond & The Trossachs. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
