Everything is just so magical in October, isn’t it?! The leaves are changing colour, the air feels crisp and cool, and even golden hour just hits differently.
You don’t really need to travel far to enjoy the season at its finest, your local park will likely have some impressive foliage.
But if you were looking to make the most of this time of year, then we’ve found just the place to go for the ‘perfect’ autumnal walk.
Spoiler alert: Depending on where you’re based, it might be a bit of a trekk, but by all accounts, it’s worth the trip.
Loch Ard in Scotland is beautiful all year round, but looks especially wondrous in autumn.
For those who aren’t familiar with the area, it’s a fresh water loch (lake) to the west of the village of Aberfoyle, and is often thought to be the source of the River Forth. It’s one of 22 lochs that make up Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.
Forestry and Land Scotland says it’s ‘one of the most picturesque lochs in Scotland and a great place to start exploring the vast and varied Loch Ard Forest.’
They continue to say: ‘The trails here are ideal for family strolls and cycle rides – watch out for wildlife and surprising sculptures along the way!’
Unsurprisingly, the area has garnered many fans online, who have nothing but praise for it and have shared stunning photos of the trees around the lake, with the leaves turning vibrant hues of red, orange, and brown, reflected in the mirror-like surface of the water below.
On Reddit, one user known as u/jayberle said: ‘Loch Ard in the Trossachs, always looks incredible but especially so in Autumn.’
While u/zodiackillerstaida said the area was ‘stunning’, u/Smooth_Pear1 described it as ‘absolutely glorious’ and u/Thyme71 thought it was ‘near perfection’.
Tripadvisor users have also shared a number of positive reviews for the loch and surrounding forest, with Linda W rating it five stars and saying: ‘Beautiful scenery we visited this Loch and did a great walk. It was so peaceful and the scenery was fantastic.’
Similarly, JaniceJ1952 wrote: ‘Beautiful location. Great for walking and the scenery spectacular. Great if you’re looking for a quiet holiday and a rest.’
While @st8899 commented: ‘Fabulous scenery and great escape from the world! I absolutely loved it. I would recommend that you visit staying in the hotel that backs it. Great cycles here also.’
And in response to a dreamy TikTok posted by Daniel Casson, which really captured the area in all its autumnal glory, one user said it was ‘breathtaking’, and a second thought it was ‘paradise’. Others hailed it ‘magical’ and ‘heaven on earth’.
How to get to Loch Ard Forest
As we mentioned, Aberfoyle is the closest place to the loch, so from there you’ll want to head west from the centre of the village by car.
According to Forestry and Land Scotland, you’ll want to avoid following the main road as it turns right uphill, and instead head straight on along the B829 towards Kinlochard.
After about 1 mile you’ll then see a sign for ‘Loch Ard Forest’ on the left and you’ll soon arrive at your destination. The forest has its own car park, and it’s free of charge to park.
The closest big city in Scotland is Stirling, and regular buses run from the railway station to Aberfoyle, which take just under an hour.
What to do at Loch Ard
As well as taking in the scenery, you can enjoy one of the various walking and cycling trails through the forest. There are 16 miles of trails and different ones to suit needs, including ones that are more family-friendly, and ones that allow you to explore the loch and its unique wildlife, as well as spot sculptures.
During your walk, you might want to keep an eye out for the ruins of a castle. It was built by Murdoch Stewart, the Duke of Albany, who was a former Governor of Scotland. He was executed by King James I for treason in 1425.
You can also go horse riding at Loch Ard Forest, participate in wildlife watching, go fishing (although you’ll need to buy a permit), and there are also several watersports options including sailing and canoeing.
The loch is home to a Go Country Adventure Park which offers the watersports, and various other activities such as orienteering and cliff jumping.
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