This post has been sponsored by Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. All views expressed are entirely my own.
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is a favorite destination for day trips, weekend getaways, and road trips, thanks to its stunning lakes, picturesque villages, and stunning vistas. The park offers an abundance of attractions and activities, making it one of my top choices for excursions. I was excited when they invited me to discover some popular sites aboard their new shuttle service, the Trossachs Explorer.
This guide aims to spark your interest in visiting the national park and assist you in planning your own adventure at Loch Lomond & The Trossachs.
If you’re interested in additional destinations and activities within Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park, don’t miss my two-day itinerary focused on wheelchair-accessible experiences in Loch Lomond, The Trossachs, and Stirling.
Where to Stay in Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park?
I often explore the Trossachs, just a thirty-minute drive from my home, enjoying scenic walks or drives, like the nearby Three Lochs Forest Drive. Since childhood, my family has made stops in towns like Callander during day trips. Some of my cherished memories include indulging in fish and chips at Callander Meadows and enjoying ice cream on summer evenings.
However, if you’re traveling from a distance and wish to fully appreciate Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, I recommend spending a night or two to experience the highlights of this area.
Callander is known as the gateway to the Highlands, making it a fantastic starting point for exploring Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park and ‘Rob Roy Country’ or as a stopover en route to the Highlands.
I highly recommend the Crags Accessible Pod in Callander, which offers breathtaking views of Ben Ledi and the Callander Crags. Having stayed in this wheelchair-accessible glamping pod, I was impressed with the facilities provided for disabled guests, including a ceiling track hoist, profiling bed, and a spacious changing places-style wet room.
If you’re looking for a unique place to stay that is also wheelchair accessible, consider The Treehouses at Lanrick. This luxurious treehouse features disabled access and a wet room with roll-in shower facilities, set deep within the forest. It’s truly enchanting.
What is the Trossachs Explorer?
The Trossachs Explorer is a pilot shuttle bus service operating seven days a week until September 30, 2024. It runs between Callander and Aberfoyle, making stops at popular visitor sites, including Kilmahog/Ben Ledi, Brig o’ Turk, Ben A’an, Loch Katrine, Ben Venue, and The Lodge (Queen Elizabeth Forest Park).
This bus service offers a convenient and environmentally friendly way to explore the stunning landscapes, charming villages, and historical sites within the Trossachs area of the National Park.
Using public transport for these destinations not only benefits the environment but also makes it accessible for those who do not drive. It alleviates the stress of finding parking and navigating unfamiliar, congested roads, allowing everyone to enjoy the attractions along the route. Additionally, it connects with services from Stirling and Glasgow for enhanced car-free accessibility.
Young people under 22, as well as those over 60, can travel for free with a Scottish National Entitlement Card (NEC). A Day Saver ticket, offering unlimited journeys between Aberfoyle and Callander, costs £5.95 for adults, with available group and family discounts. Check out the Trossachs Explorer bus timetable for details on where and when to catch it.
The Trossachs Explorer is reliable, eco-friendly, and wheelchair accessible. I’m excited to share my recent day trip experience aboard the Trossachs Explorer.
Accessible Day Trip to Callander and Aberfoyle on the Trossachs Explorer
On our day trip, we began in Callander, planning our journey on the Trossachs Explorer shuttle bus. We took some time to stroll along the high street and browse the shops before the bus arrived. Callander is a charming tourist town filled with quaint shops, cafes, and restaurants, including a Christmas shop that open year-round. Is it ever too early to buy Christmas ornaments?
When our bus arrived, it wasn’t the expected green Trossachs Explorer bus, but the friendly driver informed us that the bus was undergoing maintenance, and he was covering the route in the meantime.
As someone who doesn’t often travel by bus, I felt a bit anxious navigating the wheelchair space onboard. However, the driver promptly deployed the ramp for me to board and didn’t rush me, which I appreciated. Once I was settled, he lowered the grab bar next to me and asked which stop I needed, and we were off on our little Trossachs adventure.
We disembarked at The Lodge (Queen Elizabeth Forest Park), then took a short walk to The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre. It had been about five years since our last visit, where we had picked our Christmas tree and enjoyed the festive market with its gifts and food stalls.
The primary goal of our visit this time was to explore the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park. While there are four walking trails available, the Waterfall Trail is the only one that is fully wheelchair accessible.
This pleasant and flat route meanders through the forest with a solid surface made of tarmac, wooden walkways, and compacted ground. At one mile long, it takes you past a monument honoring the Women’s Timber Corps, reflective artworks, wooden sculptures, and various tree species.
The trail’s highlight is a beautiful waterfall located about halfway along. I’ve never been able to get close to a waterfall before as they have never been accessible to me, but I was able to drive my wheelchair close enough to see the water cascading down. It was both dramatic and stunning—much more impressive in person than in photos.
After our walk, we returned to the Visitor Centre to have lunch at The Lodge Forest Cafe. We savored a baked potato with beans and a toastie while enjoying the panoramic views of the forest. The cafe is elevated, providing a stunning vantage point above the trees of Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, making it excellent for bird watching. Additionally, the cafe is dog friendly.
The visitor center also provides local tourist information and an accessible toilet, which was incredibly convenient before we boarded the Trossachs Explorer for our return trip to Callander.
If you’re looking for an alternative wheelchair-accessible option on the Trossachs Explorer route for a great day trip, I highly recommend taking a cruise on Loch Katrine aboard the iconic Steamship Sir Walter Scott. I thoroughly enjoyed a cruise last year and found it delightful.
The Trossachs Explorer offers an accessible and enjoyable way to navigate the Trossachs area of the National Park. Many attractions along the route are not easily accessible without a car, making this bus service an excellent option for anyone seeking a hassle-free exploration of the beautiful Trossachs.
I highly recommend you take advantage of The Trossachs Explorer before its pilot phase concludes on September 30th and hope it returns next year.
I’m hopeful you are now inspired to plan a car-free day trip to Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park.
Which destinations would you like to explore on the Trossachs Explorer? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Where Next: You Might Also Enjoy
Wheelchair Accessible Cruises on the Iconic Steamship Sir Walter Scott at Loch Katrine
Three Lochs Forest Drive | Beautiful Scenic Drive in Scotland
Explore Anstruther and St Andrews with This Accessible Day Trip Guide
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