NN4706 : Trossachs Treat
Strenuous hillwalk

Ben Venue

730m Elevation
545m Prominence
Scotland Country
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NN4706 : Trossachs Treat

Adam Ward Photo source

Overview

Ben Venue is a rugged 729.5 m Graham in the Trossachs, with twin summits above Loch Katrine. Woodland approaches from Loch Achray and Ledard Farm lead to boggy and rocky upper ground. The north-west summit is the higher top; the remains of the trig point are on the lower East Top.

Ben Venue

Ben Venue rises above the wooded Trossachs and Loch Katrine. The main summit is 729.5 m high and is a Graham, Marilyn and Simm. Its compact outline hides a demanding hillwalk, with wet glens and rough rocky ground near the top.

Two summits

The north-west top is higher. Its highest point is a rock 25 m east of the cairn. Ben Venue East Top is a separate, lower summit with a ruined trig point nearby. In clear weather the tops give views over Loch Katrine, Loch Achray and Loch Venachar, with Ben Lomond prominent beyond.

Walking approaches

From the Ben Venue car park beside Loch Achray, the standard approach runs by Achray Water and up Gleann Riabhach. Walkhighlands describes a 14 km return walk taking 5–6 hours.

The southern approach starts opposite Ledard Farm on Loch Ard and follows Ledard Glen to the connecting bealachs. Its return itinerary is 11.5 km, taking 5–6 hours. The lower glen has muddy sections and a deteriorated boardwalk; both approaches reach rocky summit paths. These figures refer to the linked return itineraries, not an unspecified circuit.

Planning your walk

Use footwear suited to wet, rocky ground and carry navigation equipment. Mist can obscure the summit junctions, and snow or ice requires winter skills and equipment. Follow the chosen route back rather than improvising a descent through the steep northern crags.

Forestry and Land Scotland charges for parking at the Ben Venue car park. The nearest toilets, shops and food are at Trossachs Pier. The Trossachs Explorer bus serves Ben Venue from Aberfoyle and Callander; check the current timetable and last return. Check FLS notices before visiting, especially if using the Leannach approach, where forestry diversions may affect the route.

For a short outing, the separate Creag Noran Viewpoint Trail stays low above Loch Achray. It is not the summit route.

Landscape and history

The hill lies in the Trossachs’ Dalradian metamorphic terrain. Its Gaelic name, A’ Bheinn Mheanbh, means “the small mountain”. Sir Walter Scott included Ben Venue in The Lady of the Lake, while Bealach nam Bò below its northern slopes recalls the area’s cattle-raiding history.

Route guides

Explore routes near Ben Venue

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Loch Katrine: Brenachoile Point Shore Walk from Trossachs Pier

7.2 km ~2h 30m Moderate

View route

Loch Katrine: Trossachs Pier to Stronachlachar

21.1 km ~5h 30m Moderate

View route

Loch Ard Forest: Sculpture Trail and Little Loch Ard

6.9 km ~2h 30m Moderate

View route

Aberfoyle woodland wellbeing walk

View route

Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Ben Venue from Loch Achray via Gleann Riabhach

Start at the Ben Venue car park on the A821 beside Loch Achray (NN505068). Follow the Achray Water approach and Gleann Riabhach, then the rocky upper path to the twin summits. Visit the higher north-west summit as well as the East Top if conditions allow, and return by the ascent route. Walkhighlands gives 5–6 hours for this 14 km itinerary.

14 km Strenuous hillwalk

Ben Venue from Ledard Farm

Start at the roadside layby opposite Ledard Farm on Loch Ard (NN459022), using the signed hill-access path through Ledard Glen. Cross the bealachs to join the summit path and return the same way. Expect muddy ground, a deteriorated boardwalk and rough rock higher up. Walkhighlands gives 5–6 hours for this 11.5 km itinerary.

11.5 km Strenuous hillwalk
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Marilyn Graham Simm

Elevation

730m

2,393 ft

Prominence

545m

Coordinates

56.2250, -4.4620

NN474063

OS Map

57

Explorer: OL46S 365S

At the Summit

The higher north-west summit is a rock 25 m east of the cairn. The separate, lower Ben Venue East Top has the remains of a trig point nearby; it is not the highest point of Ben Venue.

Terrain & Geology

Forest tracks woodland paths boggy glen ground steep rocky summit paths

Ben Venue lies in the Dalradian metamorphic terrain of the Trossachs. The British Geological Survey describes the surrounding Ben Ledi Grit Formation as a varied sequence of metamorphosed sandstones and finer-grained rocks; the Ledard Burn approach crosses part of this sequence.

Views & Scenery

The twin summits overlook Loch Katrine, Loch Achray and Loch Venachar. Ben Lomond and the wider Highland hills are prominent in clear weather.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The Gaelic name is A’ Bheinn Mheanbh, meaning “the small mountain”, as given by Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.

Historical Significance

Ben Venue features in Sir Walter Scott’s poem The Lady of the Lake. Bealach nam Bò, near Loch Katrine below the mountain’s northern slopes, is associated with the passage of stolen cattle across the hills.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

For the Loch Achray approach, use the Forestry and Land Scotland Ben Venue car park on the A821, 200 m south of the Loch Katrine turning (walk start NN505068). Parking is charged. The Ledard Farm route starts from a roadside layby on Loch Ard, opposite the farm track (NN459022); keep entrances clear.

Public Transport

The Trossachs Explorer (TEX) serves Ben Venue between Aberfoyle and Callander. Stirling Council relaunched it as a year-round service in June 2026. Check the current timetable and last return before planning a summit walk. The Ledard Farm start has no direct service listed in the route guide.

Nearby Facilities

The Ben Venue trailhead has paid parking. Forestry and Land Scotland identifies Trossachs Pier on Loch Katrine as the nearest location for public toilets, shops and food; check opening hours before relying on them.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Rocky upper paths can be slippery when wet; the glens include boggy and eroded ground.
  • Mist makes the twin summits and intervening path junctions harder to identify. Carry a map and compass and know how to use them.
  • The Ledard Glen approach includes a deteriorated boardwalk.
  • Avoid improvised descents towards Loch Katrine: the northern slopes include steep, rough and craggy ground.

Seasonal Hazards

Snow or ice makes the rocky upper paths a more serious undertaking, requiring suitable winter equipment and the skills to use it. Check the mountain forecast and available daylight. Check for ticks after walking through vegetation.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Ben Venue?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Ben Venue through the maps

Are there other walkers around Ben Venue?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Ben Venue search or of course create your own walk for Ben Venue

Can I organise a walk to Ben Venue?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

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How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Ben Venue?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

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Location

Ben Venue location map

Grid reference: NN474063

View on OpenStreetMap

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