Ben A'an
A mountain in miniature: Ben A'an is barely 454 metres, climbed in about an hour, yet its rocky little summit delivers a full Highland panorama over Loch Katrine that mountains three times its size would envy.
- Best forWalkers & hikers · Families · Photographers
- In May13°C · 17 rainy days
- Ideal stayA day trip from Glasgow or Stirling
- Approx. flying time~10h 25m from Los Angeles
- CurrencyGBPPound sterling
- LanguageEnglish
- Local time11:16same time as the UK
- PlugsType GUK plugs fit
- Drive on theLeftSame as the UK
- Dialling code+44
Why go
At 454 metres this barely counts as a mountain, yet the rocky little summit gives a full Highland panorama over Loch Katrine and the Trossachs that peaks three times the height would be pleased with. The path climbs steadily through forestry then out onto open ground, taking about an hour up, and the last section is a proper scramble-free ridge with a summit that feels earned.
Half a day, best combined with the loch below to make a full outing. Glasgow and Stirling are both under an hour and a half away, which makes this the easiest introduction to Highland walking from the central belt. Spring and autumn give the clearest air; summer weekends fill the small car park early. The path is well made but steep and rocky, so proper footwear matters.
- Ideal stay
- A day trip from Glasgow or Stirling
- The vibe
- Small hill, enormous view
From our guides
It's the perfect first 'peak' for children or the chronically deskbound. Combine with a steamship cruise on the loch below and you've had a complete Scottish day.
Featured in Ten spectacular mountain walks for ordinary fitness levels
Things to do
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The summit rocks
A small rocky crown with room for a handful of people, looking north over Loch Katrine to Ben Venue and the higher hills beyond. About an hour of climbing.
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Loch Katrine steamship
A restored Victorian steamer sails the loch below from Trossachs Pier, giving the water-level view of the hill you have just climbed.
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Loch Achray and Ben Venue
The neighbouring hill across the glen offers a longer, harder day for anyone who finds Ben A'an too short, with a similar panorama from higher up.
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The Duke's Pass
A twisting road between Aberfoyle and the lochs with laybys, forest trails and views. The scenic approach whichever direction you come from.
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Aberfoyle and the forest park
The village at the southern gateway, with waymarked walks, a red squirrel hide and treetop routes in the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park.
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Callander
A small town at the eastern end with cafes, a river gorge walk to Bracklinn Falls and enough supplies for a day on the hill.
Getting there
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Fly to
Glasgow (GLA)
Nearest airport to Trossachs, about 40km away as the crow flies.
-
Then
To Callander
About an hour by car from Glasgow (GLA), north via Stirling to Callander at the eastern edge of the Trossachs.
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On the ground
Getting around
The car park for Ben A'an sits beside Loch Achray, roughly 20 minutes west of Callander on the A821, and the path climbs straight from it in about an hour.
Public transport: Buses run from Stirling to Callander and a seasonal service continues towards Loch Katrine, but outside summer there is nothing useful at the trailhead.
Flights
Los Angeles Trossachs, Scotland
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Roughly 10h 25m in the air from Los Angeles (LAX), estimated from the distance — check for a direct route. Pick a month to see every available flight with live prices.
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When to go
Daytime highs run from about 4°C in January to 16°C in July. Driest in April; wettest in October, with rain on about 22 days.
The year at a glance — pick a month for detail
May13° · rain 17 daysCool and often wet.
Monthly figures averaged from daily records for 2020–2024 at this location (ERA5 reanalysis). Live conditions from MET Norway, CC BY 4.0.
Where to stay
Victorian hotels, guest houses and B&Bs in the towns, self-catering cottages in the glens, plus a good spread of holiday parks and campsites. No large resorts.
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Best base overall
Callander
The Trossachs' main town, twenty minutes from the Ben A'an car park, with enough hotels, chip shops and outdoor kit to run a walking week. It is on the tourist route, so summer weekends get busy.
Find stays in Callander -
Best with children
Aberfoyle
Small, calm and right beside the Lodge forest park with its treetop walkways and red squirrels, so there is a fallback when the weather closes in. Fewer restaurants than Callander, and most shut early.
Find stays in Aberfoyle -
Quietest
Brig o' Turk
A scatter of cottages in the glen barely ten minutes from the path, ideal if you want to be at the trailhead first. Almost nothing here but a tearoom, so bring supplies.
Find stays in Brig o' Turk -
Best value
Doune
Just outside the national park boundary, which knocks the rates down, and the castle keeps Monty Python fans happy. You will drive half an hour each way to the hills.
Find stays in Doune
Worth knowing before you book: The Trossachs fill up for Scottish school holidays and any dry spell, and many cottages run Friday or Saturday changeovers with a week minimum in summer.
Search everything else in Callander by budget. These are indicative budget bands in GBP per night for two people, not live quotes or guarantees of hotel type. Check your dates, guests, taxes and final price on Booking.com.
Good to know
- Parking
- The dedicated car park on the A821 is small and fills by mid-morning at weekends. There is a charge, and roadside parking on the bends is unsafe.
- Footwear
- The path is rebuilt and well drained but steep, rocky and slippery when wet. Trainers will not enjoy it and neither will you.
- Timing
- Allow two to three hours return including time at the top. Winter daylight is short and the summit rocks ice up, so start early.
- With kids
- A good first hill for children of around seven upwards, with a clear path and an obvious reward. Carry more snacks than seems reasonable.
- Midges
- Still, damp evenings from June to August bring them out in force at the car park and lower path. Repellent in the rucksack, always.
Similar places
Nearby destinations
Ben Nevis
Scotland · 69km away →
Edinburgh Fringe
Scotland · 89km away →
Cairngorms
Scotland · 109km away →
Red squirrels and ospreys
the Cairngorms, Scotland · 117km away →
North Coast 500
Scotland · 141km away →
Bealach na Bà
Scotland · 148km away →Elsewhere in Scotland
Related articles
Quick answers
When is the best time to visit Ben A'an?
Daytime highs run from about 4°C in January to 16°C in July. Driest in April; wettest in October, with rain on about 22 days.
How long should I spend in Ben A'an?
Our suggestion: a day trip from Glasgow or Stirling.
How do I get to Ben A'an?
About an hour by car from Glasgow (GLA), north via Stirling to Callander at the eastern edge of the Trossachs.
Do I need a car in Ben A'an?
Yes, a car makes a real difference here. Buses run from Stirling to Callander and a seasonal service continues towards Loch Katrine, but outside summer there is nothing useful at the trailhead.
What currency and language are used in Ben A'an?
Currency: Pound sterling (GBP). Language: English. Plugs: type G.
Who is Ben A'an best for?
Best for walkers & hikers, families and photographers. In a phrase: small hill, enormous view.