Hiking Ben A’an: Scotland is full of stunning viewpoints, but this “mountain in miniature” located in the Trossachs is easily accessible as a day trip from Glasgow for those who want a taste of the Highlands without straying far from the city.

Hiking Ben A’an – One of my Favourite Viewpoints in Scotland

Ben A’an is a beautiful viewpoint in the West of Scotland, located in the magnificent Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park (Pàirc Nàiseanta Loch Laomainn is nan Tròisichean), Scotland’s first national park established in 2002 at the same time as the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland’s North-East.

Technically only a hill, Ben A’an is known as a “mountain in miniature” due to it’s rugged terrain and sweeping views over nearby Loch Katrine. Looking further out, you can also see Ben Venue and Ben Ledi, and sometimes even Ben Lomond and the Arrochar Alps on a clear day!

Read on for my guide to hiking Ben A’an, either as a day-trip from Glasgow or as part of a longer Highlands adventure.

Planning a trip to Scotland? See also:

• West Highland Way: Walking the West Highland Way, Scotland: 5 Day Epic Itinerary
• Dunnottar Castle: Dunnottar Castle: A Visitor Guide to Scotland’s Most Dramatic Coastal Ruin
• North East Road Trip: Scotland North East Road Trip: Epic Itinerary, Aberdeenshire and Moray

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Where is Ben A’an?

• Glasgow city centre: Ben A’an is located 32 miles (51km) from Glasgow city centre – this takes around 1 hour to drive, depending on traffic.
• Stirling Castle: Ben A’an is 23 miles (37km) away from Stirling Castle – this takes about 45 minutes to drive.
• Edinburgh: The drive from Edinburgh (which is in the East of Scotland) to Ben A’an takes around 2 hours.

The dedicated car park for Ben A’an is located along the A821. Look out for the signpost for the turn-off to Loch Katrine: the car park is about 300 m past this junction.

🌟 Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond Walk & Whisky Distillery Tour from Glasgow 🌟

Ben A’an: Essential Details

• Elevation: 1,490 feet (454 m)
• Distance (return trip): 2.5 miles (4 km)
• Total Time: 2–3 hours (depending on pace)
• Difficulty: Moderately challenging
• Dog Friendly?: Yes, but must be on a lead
• Parking: Dedicated car park

Parking at Ben A’an

There’s a pay-and-display car park at the base of the Ben A’an trail. When paying, you can opt for 1 or 3 hours. (So 3 hours – unless you’re a super human who can sprint up and down!).

The car park can fill up quickly during weekends and school holidays, especially if there’s good weather. Always best to arrive early in the day. Don’t park on the side of the road or you’ll get a ticket.

You can pay by card, but I always like to carry coins just in case when I’m in rural Scotland as sometimes card payment doesn’t work. If you’re visiting from overseas, get a WISE card so you can pay in local currency (GBP) without hefty fees.

Climbing Ben A’an

The name Ben A’an means ‘the small, pointed peak’ in Scots Gaelic. And yes, the walk up is fairly steep. You don’t need technical experience, so it’s accessible to anyone with a decent level of fitness. Make sure to stick to the path – the path is clearly marked out so easy to follow.

The Ben A’an trail is steep to begin with but then levels out towards the top. The 360 degree views are magnificent – 100% worth the effort!

Hiking Ben A’an – Your Step-by-step Guide

• Start by crossing the road directly from the car park and following the signposted path for Ben A’an. The trail soon begins to rise as you make your way into the trees.
• Carry on up the path and cross the small footbridge. From here, follow the course of the stream uphill. The route soon crosses back over the water on a set of stepping stones and the view starts to open up. Eventually you’ll spot the dramatic peak of Ben A’an up ahead.
• As you continue, the path levels off and you find yourself walking across moorland. After a short while it veers to the right and this is where the challenging, rockier section of the walk begins.
• Keep climbing up the hill. The path then swings around the back of Ben A’an and there are a few more rocks to scramble over before you reach the summit.
• Once you’re at the top, you’re rewarded with a stunning panorama – the perfect spot for a celebration photo!

What Else is There to do Near Ben A’an

I can recommend popping down to the Loch Katrine Visitor Centre to find out more about the area. You can hire a bike and cycle along the side of the loch. There are also historic Steamship cruises on Loch Katrine. The nearby Steamship Cafe is a good spot to refuel after your hike.

Further information about the Steamship cruises is available here: Loch Katrine Cruise Timetables.

Popular Scotland Tours

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Plan Your Trip to Scotland: Useful Travel Resource Links

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