The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre, Aberfoyle

What is the Lodge Forest Visitor Centre

The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre is a flagship site for Forestry and Land Scotland, set within Queen Elizabeth Forest, part of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. It is one mile north of Aberfoyle in the Trossachs, on Duke's Pass. The Lodge features a cafe, toilets, waterfall, trails, wildlife hide and Go Ape! Pictured above is the main building, with a restaurant and great views. There is lots of outside seating and places for picnics.

Parking at The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre is in a pay and display car park. There is also a walking path from Aberfoyle to the Lodge Forest Visitor Centre.

For more guides about the area, check out Aberfoyle, The Trossachs Trail and the Best Scenic Drives, for which (spoiler alert) The Lodge is located on the one ranked number 1.

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Go Ape! Aberfoyle

The Zip Slide through the forest is one of the best experiences listed in our 101 things to see and do in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs guide. The zip wire is 45-metres high and 426-metre long and is incredible. There is no better way to see the forest. Listen out for the sound of the wire and the screams of delight that follow as people set off on the wire that connects them with the aerial assault course deep in the forest. Check the Go Ape! website for height restrictions and availability.

Go Ape, Aerial Assault Course, Aberfoyle

Timber Jill

I am a big fan of the Timber Jill Statue; it is one of the rare statues in the UK of a non-royal woman. The statue pays tribute to the Women’s Timber Corps, affectionately known as ‘Lumberjills’. They played a vital role in World War 2, getting timber to keep Britain powered during the war. These ladies took the job of the men who had left to fight in the war. Their work was hard but a vital contribution to the war effort.

Trails at The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre

Choose from four trails, each colour coded, all start close to the main Lodge building. The walks are:

Waterfall Trail (white marker) around 30 mins, which includes a dramatic waterfall. (Easy)
Craigmore View Trail (blue marker) around 90 mins, climbing up into Achray Forest. (Strenuous)
Lime Craig Trail (red marker) around 2.5 hours, along the Highland Boundary Fault line. (Strenuous)
Oak Coppice (green marker) around an hour, through ancient woodlands. (Moderate)

Plan Your Visit

If you plan to visit Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, consider ordering our book ‘101 things to do in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs’, a photo guidebook of things to do and places to explore. Click here to purchase.

Walking Trails, The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre

Little Fawn Waterfall Trail

As mentioned earlier, The Waterfall Trail is about 30 minutes. Follow the white markers for an exciting walk, with interactive play items along the way. Everything from hammocks to mirror people, it’s a good fun family walk. The Little Fawn Waterfall is dramatic in its dense woodland setting.

Wildlife at The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre

Just over the bridge by the waterfall there is a wildlife hide. Previsouly you have been able to view nearby nesting osprey in the main visitor centre, however the birds of prey have bee nesting in different locations. Currently the centre is being refurbished. However, the cafe is still open, with seating inside and outside.

Is the Lodge worth a visit?

Yes, we give The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre a big thumbs up. A great place to walk and explore, the fun items dotted around the trails will keep children happy. Go Ape! is a great adventure and the trails are all very enjoyable. NCN7 Cycle Path shares some of the trails, so take care; I’ve surprised some families by appearing on my bike, so always take it easy. Check out the guide to cycling through, from Aberfoyle to Callander. Also, keep an eye on the Lodge Forest Visitor Centre Facebook page for events. I’ve enjoyed a few over the years, including the Easter Duck Race.

Thanks for reading

Words and photography by Paul Saunders. Visit Paul’s Marketing and Photography websites for details of his services in Scotland.

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