GLEN OGLE to ARDTALNAIG
Start from the carpark taking the vehicle track to the north past a small picnic area. This soon comes to the forest gates, pass though and continue on the main forest track. This passes a memorial stone to two pilots killed in a Tornado accident in these hills. The cycle route soon sets off to the left down a well surfaced route to Killin, via the Glen Dochart road. Remain on the main track ahead.
Forest Track looking towards Ben Lawers
Forest path beside Achmore Burn
The route remains basically straight ahead and climbing slightly with commanding views to the left over Killin, up Loch Tay and over to Beinn na Eachan, Meail Garbh, Meall nan Tarmachan and Ben Lawers. After curving right the forest track reaches a T junction, turn sharply right up a steepish track, then at a U bend turn left over the Achmore Burn. Continue on this track high in the forest heading towards a clearly seen radio mast.
Pass the mast and within a few moments the track meets a metalled single track road coming up from the South Loch Tay road at Achmore. Follow the road to the right and continue on this all the way to the left side of the dam wall at Loch Breaclaich. The metalled road now reverts to a rougher track round the north side of the Loch. This is now high above Loch Tay but looking back there are commanding views up Glen Dochart and Glen Lochay.
Views back into Glen Dochart
Loch Breaclaich looking Northwest
This is countryside that was traversed by the Macnab brothers on the Christmas raid on the Neish Clan in 1612. The track now ascends a little further to another mast before panoramic views open out South and South East over Glen Beich and towards Glen Lednock. The path then descends turning NE with new views into Loch Tay and the Ardeonaig area below. Remain on the track with Meall Odhar above on the left.
Soon you descend to run parallel to large water carrying pipes, the outfall from Loch Breaclaich. Follow the pipes along the first leg, but at the corner where the pipes bear to the right leave the track and head NE over the grass in the general direction of Ardeonaig below, passing to the right of the triangular tree plantation and keeping the rectangular tree plantation on the right. (ref the picture below)
Loch Tay from Meall Odhar
Loch Tay in distance, the pathway descending between the tree plantaions
This section has no clear path and it can be quite wet underfoot. As you approach the second tree plantation you will come upon stone foundations of what were a series of small shielings. Now head for the gate at the NW corner of the rectangular plantation, pass through the gate then follow the straight line of what may have been a drainage track down towards Braentran and Ardeonaig.
Just be thankful that you were not one of the four Macnab brothers who came up this route carrying a boat in the darkness of a winter's night. This would be a rough and wet climb, perhaps stumbling over some of the outcrops, and without the later assistance of a well formed track.
At the end of the drainage channel the grass path reaches a gate and crosses the burn that has been running on the left since leaving the large waterpipes. You are now on a rough farm track, passing through several gates.
Finglen Burn with Creag Uchdag in the distance
Ardeonaig Hotel and road junction
The buildings beside the track are frequently used by the farmer for sheep dipping and shearing (Grid Ref NN662 344). You may have to divert up the side of a dry stone dyke then down the line of a fence to avoid this part of the track when in farm use. Soon the track emerges onto a single track road descending into Ardeonaig.
Pass the Christian Outbound centre and some houses
then with the
Finglen Burn
on the right arrive at the South Loch Tay
road at the Ardeonaig Hotel.
Ardeonaig is a very small community with the Hotel at the centre.
The Finglen Burn has attractive falls close to the bridge.
Loch Tay looking East from County Boundary
