📌 The Trossachs, Stirling
★★★
Above the Rob Roy Way south of Kilmahog lie two hills which are small in stature but surprisingly tough to climb. The first – Bochastle Hill – features a gnarled old boulder reputedly left by strongman Samson. The second – Dunmore – is an iron age hill fort, with faint earthworks still visible around the grassy summit area once you’ve successfully tackled the tussocky ascent. Both hills offer excellent views over Callander and Loch Venachar considering their small size, with Ben Ledi also occasionally visible through gaps in the trees. Parts of the circuit are steep and muddy – bring decent footwear and reward yourself at the Lade Inn, around the corner from the finish.
📷 Chronological photo guide
Leaving the car park 
View towards Callander from the ascent of Bochastle Hill 
Bochastle Hill summit 
Samson’s Stone & Loch Venachar 
Ben Ledi 
Leave the main path immediately after crossing this bridge 
The ascent to Dunmore Fort is on a faint path through bracken 
Loch Venachar from Dunmore Fort 
Return along the Rob Roy Way
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish at car park on west side of A821 just south of Kilmahog
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NN 607081
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 56.245391,-4.248691
🚌 Rare bus to Kilmahog
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
▶ 3 km / 2 mi | ▲ 160 m | ⌛ 1.5 hr
Features: △ Bochastle Hill (180 m); ⛰️ Samson’s Stone; 🏰 Dunmore Fort
⬤ Moderate | Unmade path on Bochastle Hill, sometimes muddy and steep with one very boggy area on descent. Ascent to Dunmore Fort is by a rough, steep path. Clear but steep path for descent; return is surfaced and mostly level.
Download file for GPS➡️ Anticlockwise circuit: start – Bochastle Hill & Samson’s Stone – cross footbridge / boardwalk – Dunmore Fort – return by Rob Roy Way
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Not much!
Weather: 10°C, sunny intervals, dry, light winds.
October 2019
