Queen Elizabeth Forest Park

Queen Elizabeth Forest Park spreads across 19,665 hectares in the Scottish Highlands, from the eastern shores of Loch Lomond to the mountains near Strathyre. It is one of six forest parks in Scotland, created in 1953 to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation. Owned and managed by Forestry and Land Scotland, the park sits within Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. The landscape is a mix of bare uplands and dense lowland forests, with lochs and valleys shaping the terrain. The park contains several notable mountains, including Ben Lomond at 974 metres, Ben Venue at 727 metres, and Ben Ledi at 879 metres. Its waterways include Loch Ard, Loch Chon, Loch Venachar, Loch Arklet, Loch Katrine, Loch Achray, and Loch Drunkie. Forests such as Achray, Buchanan, Strathyre, and Loch Ard cover much of the lowland areas. The park also features marked hiking trails and a scenic car route called the Three Lochs Forest Drive. The main visitor centre is The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre at Aberfoyle, situated on the eastern hillside of Craigmore. From here, visitors can explore the park’s paths and drives, taking in views of the surrounding mountains and lochs. The forests and hills offer opportunities for walking, driving, and enjoying the natural scenery. The park’s varied landscapes make it a place for quiet reflection as well as active exploration.