This guide tells you all you need to know about walking Primrose Hil at Loch Katrine in the Trossachs.

How long does it take to walk Primrose Hill?

Details of an enjoyable walk along the shores of Loch Katrine, before a hike into the forest, climbing to get outstanding views across to Ben Venue. Total time around 3 hours, 11km.

Start at Trossachs Pier's large car park (shown on the map above). Walk along the road that runs alongside Loch Katrine, passing the Steamship and other cruise boats on your left and eco-camp on the right.

Loch Katrine

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The smooth lochside road is popular with cyclists and walkers, and it goes all the way to Stronachlachar. You’ll notice several islands in the loch; these and the dramatic scenery were the inspiration for Sir Walter Scott’s 1810 poem ‘Lady of the Lake’, a blockbuster of the day and responsible for making Loch Katrine the birthplace of Scottish tourism.

After 2km, a green waymarker post indicates a path to the right. Leave the tarmac road and follow the zig-zag path through the trees with a short but steep climb. At the top, turn left and follow a forest track, taking in the elevated views across the loch to Ben Venue.

As the path widens, you’ll get excellent views up the loch towards the Arrochar Alps in the distance. Don’t take the first track down; keep going until you get to a deer fence. From there, follow the path down until you re-join the lochside road.

It’s just over 4km back along the smooth road to return to the starting point at Trossachs Pier. Stop at Brenachoile Point, a grassy headland and ‘stand in the footsteps of poets and artists whose vivid descriptions and paintings drew attention to the Trossachs. Brenachoile Point is also one of the numerous local filming locations for the TV show Outlander.

The photographs used in this guide were from a January walk when the trees were bare and the sky a deep blue, providing expansive panoramic views. Autumn colours are stunning here, and during the summer, you may even be lucky to see an Osprey flying over the loch.

To make the walk easier and shorter, walk to Brenachoile Point and back.