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Trip created by Rachael Gavan
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Region: Multi-Location
Trip Type: Self Guided
Comfort: Classic
Deposit From N/A
£196.25
Difficulty:
All you need to know about your trip, this essential document is a must for all adventures.
Download ItineraryThe Rob Roy Way is a long-distance hiking trail through the southern Highlands.
Starting in the village of Drymen, you’ll hike for 79 miles across The Trossachs and through Perthshire to the pretty Highland town of Pitlochry and the end of the trail.
The route takes you through quiet forests, past beautiful lochs, across open moorlands and rolling hills, following a way-marked trail. It passes through the lands once home to Highland clans, including it’s famous namesake the cattle-reiver Rob Roy MacGregor. Starting in the village of Drymen, you’ll hike through the rugged Trossachs and into Perthshire.
Following the banks of stunning Loch Tay and into Strathtay you’ll find flourishing woodlands and rivers of flowing silver before you arrive at the pretty Highland town of Pitlochry and the end of the trail. Since the Rob Roy Way is one of Scotland’s best-kept secrets you can be sure of quiet trails and tranquil countryside.
PLEASE NOTE: Total daily distances are given for each stage but will vary slightly as you also need to walk to your accommodation each day which will usually add a short distance.
Extra Nights and Accommodation Upgrades
You also have the option to choose the following upgrades and extra nights:
Today you make your way to the village of Drymen, where your overnight accommodation is included, and spend the night there before hitting the trail tomorrow morning.
Starting in the centre of Drymen, your hike begins with a single step! The first few miles out of the village are on quiet road, but soon you are turning off onto forest trails which take you through the ancient Loch Ard Forest and the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park to Aberfoyle. It is straightforward hiking on good trails, making a good warm up day.
Distance: 17.5km/11 miles Ascent: 230m
This morning an ascent out of Aberfoyle leads you to the top of the Mentieth Hills. The path continues through forest and open moorland before you descend to picturesque Loch Venachar. From here a short section of road takes you a last rise through Coihallan Wood before the route arrives in the village of Callander, known as the Gateway to the Highlands.
Distance: 16km/10 miles Ascent: 250m
Today’s route is an easy distance along a well built cycle track that provides stress free walking and allows you to really enjoy the views around you. Setting out from Callander you cross the river and then walk north through the Pass of Leny, and soon reach the shores of Loch Lubnaig. The rest of the hike is easy along the shore of the loch until you reach the end and the village of Strathyre shortly afterwards.
Distance: 15 km/9.5 miles Ascent: 155m
The first part of today’s route ascends into the forest above Strathyre with good views across the glen. It then descends again and winds its way to Lochearnhead before climbing once more to join a disused railway that leads north into Glen Ogle. Following the track that leads you on toward the distant peaks of the Tarmachan Ridge you arrive in the village of Killin, and can admire the beautiful falls of Dochart before continuing to your accommodation.
Distance: 22km/13.5 miles Ascent: 340m
A long steady ascent out of Killin offers some good views to the hills before you reach the moorland at the top. After crossing this a long descent takes you back to the loch-side at Ardeonaig. You then walk along quiet backroads for 6km before reaching Ardtalnaig. There is no accommodation on this section of the walk so a pre-arranged taxi will pick you up to take you back to Killin for a second night.
Distance: 19 km/12 miles Ascent: 520m
A short transfer takes you back to Ardtalnaig so that you can continue hiking where you stopped the previous day. An easy start takes you along the quiet road before the trail heads uphill at Acharn. Here you will see the fantastic Falls of Acharn before making your way along the path known as the Queen’s Drive. You continue on through forest to the splendid woodland gorge of the Birks (Falls) of Aberfeldy before descending down into the village. A long but rewarding day!
Distance: 24 km/15 miles Ascent: 500m
Note: The roadside sections on Loch Tay can be skipped by arranging alternate pick up and drop off points with the transfer drivers. You may like to do this to shorten a day’s walk for a rest, or to make time to explore more of the local area.
Your final day of hiking starts with an easy section alongside the River Tay before crossing the bridge above the rapids at Grandtully. The trail then leads uphill for a long steady climb with views back toward Strathtay. The path then crosses moorland before entering Fonab Forest where you start your descent to Pitlochry. Take care as you cross the busy A9, then walk easily across the River Tummel via a pretty iron footbridge and into town. The end of the trail is on the main street at a small memorial garden. You’ve made it!
Distance: 15km/9.5 miles Ascent: 320m
After a leisurely breakfast, you can spend some time exploring the pretty village centre before catching a train south to Glasgow or Edinburgh. On the way home you’ll have time to reflect on a beautiful hike through the Highlands you’re sure to remember.
To download a PDF copy of our Trip Itinerary, containing full details about this holiday, please complete the form below:
ACCOMMODATION
At each stage of your trek we will arrange accommodation for you to stay that night. The accommodations range from small guesthouses, Highland inns, small hotels and bed and breakfast establishments which will be of a 3 or 4 star standard. Our accommodation partners are carefully chosen according to a number of factors – charming locations, very good facilities and a reputation for providing Highland hospitality. We do not use accommodations we have not personally visited.
If you choose the upgraded accommodation option we will reserve the best available accommodation option in each location for you. However, in some areas, accommodation is very limited so the choice is restricted. Where this is the case we will book the best quality room available for you.
MEALS
Accommodation will be reserved on a Bed & Breakfast basis – lunches and evening meals are not included. Local shops sell sandwiches and snacks for the day ahead. Many guest houses will also be able to provide a packed lunch for you if you ask them the night before. In the evenings, meals can be taken in local restaurants, hotels or bars.
Please note that Drymen and Pitlochry are accessible by train. Glasgow Airport offers the most convenient access to the route, although Edinburgh and Prestwick airports are fine as well.
Rachael is a true gem and we regularly receive feedback thanking her for designing inspiring itineraries and for being such a pleasure to chat to. In many cases the people Rachael designs tailor-made trips for, actually become friends and she’s had more than one invite to far off lands as a result. Rachael believes in only the highest levels of customer experience.
- Rachael Gavan
Ask Rachael a QuestionBlue Graded Self Guided Holidays 4-6
Self guided Blue graded walking holidays are suitable for fit and experienced hikers. Walking at a good pace you can expect to be out for 6-8 hours a day. You will be following a trail but should understand how to follow a hiking map with at least basic navigation skills. Daily distances will vary – typically up to 20km but may be longer occasionally, or often on the more challenging trips in the grade. Daily hike details are available in the itinerary.
Trail conditions will vary from well laid and maintained sections of gravel track to rough and rocky sections including muddy and wet areas. Short sections may be on tarmac.
Rated 4.70 out of 5 based on 23 review(s) of Self Guided – The Rob Roy Way
Every client receives a feedback survey when they return from their guided, self guided or tailor made holiday with us. Once completed the review is published on our website just as soon as our database updates. The little touches and details are important to us and where issues are raised we make positive changes to our trips to improve your experience.
That’s why we read each of our client’s reviews and although we don’t respond to all of them, if it’s glowing feedback then we get the satisfaction of helping to make your holidays truly memorable.
Carol Boyd
Reviewed on 22/10/2019
Age: 60 - 70
Country: United States
Trip Date: 12/10/2019
Trips Taken: 2
The Bottom Line
An excellent hiking experience, perfect for ages 12 to beyond (we are 67 years).
Alanna Pass
Reviewed on 26/07/2019
Age: 60 - 70
Country: USA
Trip Date: 15/06/2019
Trips Taken: 1
The Bottom Line
Yes I would recommend you-just not the Rob Roy trail TEAM WILDERNESS RESPONSE: Thanks for your feedback about the Rob Roy Way. I'm sorry to hear that this trail was not quite what you hoped for but it is good to know that you still had a good time in Scotland. Hopefully we will be able to welcome you back in future for another hiking adventure.
Carra Summers
Reviewed on 16/07/2019
Age: 50 - 60
Country: United States
Trip Date: 28/06/2019
Trips Taken: 1
The Bottom Line
We throughly enjoyed our Rob Roy Trail trip from the B&B’s, to the trail, to the luggage transfers- all the elements together made the trip a great one! The scenery was amazing... Time spent in the local pubs relaxing in the evenings meeting the locals was thoroughly enjoyable. Everyone was SO friendly. Seeing the farmers with their Border Collies herding the sheep and seeing the grazing Highland Cows are experiences we won’t soon forget. And as a bonus...emerging from a wooded trail in Grand Tully at a world-class chocolate shop! What a treat... ❤️
