Braeval

Towering larches and great views over Lake of Menteith

The higher you climb in the woods here, the greater the views over the Lake of Menteith, Flanders Moss and the Campsie Fells and Fintry Hills beyond. In spring there is a carpet of bluebells beneath the stately larches, butterflies flutter in the summer glades and the trees put on a colourful show in autumn.

Walking trails

Walking

Braeval Trail

Climb through towering larches and relax in the forest glade that’s alive with woodland birdsong.

Largely firm gravel surface. Long steep slope on uneven rocky path.

¾ miles / 1.2 km

Allow ½ hour

More information

This short trail is particularly appealing in spring, but it’s a great stroll year-round. In summer, butterflies and woodland birds flutter in the summer glades, while the trees are spectacular in their autumn colours.

Walking

Stonefields Trail

A peaceful trail through the quiet conifer woodland above Stonefield that is ideal for horse riding.

Mostly wide, firm gravel tracks. Some fairly steep slopes and one section of uneven rock and earth path.

2 ¼ miles / 3.5 km

Allow 1 ½ hours

More information

The trail climbs from the car park and through a stand of statuesque larch trees. It then follows the forest road, with glimpses through the trees over the Lake of Menteith to the Campsie Fells beyond. An old track leads down through the trees and back to the car park through mixed and fairly open conifer plantation.

Activities

Horse riding

This quiet woodland is ideal for horse riding, particularly the Stonefields Trail. You'll find plenty of room for horseboxes in the car park here too.

The Rob Roy Way

The 94 mile Rob Roy Way passes through the forest just north of Braeval car park. The route follows the tracks and paths used by Rob Roy MacGregor, Scotland's most notorious outlaw, linking Drymen to the south with Pitlochry to the north.

Facilities and access

Parking

Walking

Stay the Night

There are public toilets and plenty of places to eat, drink and shop at Aberfoyle.

Stay the Night

Stay the Night continues to run through to 31 October 2024. This means self-contained motorhomes and campervans will be able to park overnight for one night in some of our car parks.

There is a £7 charge to Stay the Night at this car park. Payment can be made through RingGo with details of how to do this at each car park.

To help plan your stay, please see the details below:

• Height barrier – No
• Motorhome capacity of car park – 3
• Suitable for large vehicles/caravans – Yes
• Parking notes – Steep off road with potholes on approach. Car park on slight slope - levelling blocks recommended. Steep access road. Please leave a 4m gap between other motorhomes.

Please visit our Stay the Night page for full details, participating locations, best practice, and terms and conditions of use.

Stay the night

Car parking information

There is no charge to park in this car park. Please park with care and consideration. In particular please park in designated parking areas only and do not block entrances or gates.

More about parking

Getting here

Braeval car park is on the north side of the A81. Depending on the direction you're arriving from, it's 1½ miles east of Aberfoyle or 3 miles west of Port of Menteith.

It's possible to walk or cycle to Braeval from Aberfoyle, following the Rob Roy Way for 1½ miles.

Using SatNav?

FK8 3UY is the nearest postcode.

Get directions