Ben A’an is one of the most popular peaks to climb in the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. In a land of long distance hikes like the West Highland Way, the Ben A’an hike is a rare short hiking trail in the Trossachs which offers incredible views of two lochs from the summit.
Keep reading for all the details about hiking Ben A’an with kids, plus a short video from our family trip so you can see what it was like for yourself.
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Ben A’an Trail Highlights
The main highlight of the Ben A’an hike is the incredible views from the summit. You are treated to views of Loch Achray and Loch Katrine lying peacefully side-by-side with a small, dense patch of forest between them. Surrounding the lochs are the beautiful, forested peaks of the Trossachs region. Simply breathtaking!
Given the hike to the summit is mostly uphill the whole way, you can enjoy a much easier walk down. The views of Loch Achray on the final descent to the carpark are amazing.
In July, when we did the hike, the sides of the trail were surrounded by wildflowers, including tons of pink foxgloves.
Don’t Miss: Our full list of the best things to do in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park with kids
Ben A’an Walk Stats
How Long is the Ben A’an Walk?
The total round trip of this hike is 2.8 miles / 4.5 km.
How Steep is the Ben A’an Hike?
There are two extended uphill sections to this hike which are a pretty good workout. In the first 0.6 miles / 1 km from the parking lot, you climb 560 feet / 170 m. The final 0.4 miles / 0.7 km of the hike is the steepest section, where you climb another 490 feet / 150 m to the top.
The elevation gain on Ben A’an is actually slightly less than on Conic Hill (another outstanding family hike in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park), but you climb it in less distance, making it steeper.
How Difficult is the Ben A’an Trail?
Despite being a short hike, we’d rate Ben A’an as a “hard hike”, due to the sustained uphill climbing. That said, our 3 & 5 year old kids hiked to the summit of Ben A’an by themselves, but slower than usual due to the increased effort.
The Ben A’an walk is popular with families and we saw many other kids also hiking to the summit themselves, so it can be done by anyone in reasonable shape and/or a good amount of determination.
If the Ben A’an walk sounds too difficult for your family, there are plenty of easy walks in Loch Lomond National Park. One easier family hike we really enjoyed in the Loch Lomond area was the Whangie walk.
How Long Does the Ben A’an Hike Take?
The Ben A’an hike took us 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete, which is much longer than their typical pace (which would have been around 2 hours and 15 minutes). The slower pace is due to the steeper incline and the higher effort level required. Without kids, we could have completed this hike much quicker; likely in about an hour.
Read More
We spent three weeks in Scotland with kids and saw every corner of the country. Based on our travels, here are our favorite things to do in Scotland with kids.
Ben A’an Location
Ben A’an is near Aberfoyle in the Trossachs section of the national park. There is a decent sized parking lot, which was full by midday. Note, there is a fee for this parking lot.
Ben A’an Trail Map
You can download the Ben A’an trail map using the AllTrails app. Once in the app, search the hikes for “Ben A’an“. Select the trail and download the map on your phone before you head out for your hike.
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What to Expect on the Ben A’an Hike
Forest Climb and Flatter Middle Section
The Ben A’an walk is reasonably short, but it begins and ends with strenuous uphill sections. The two uphill sections of this hike are through beautiful forests, filled with birdsong and wildflowers; showy purple foxgloves seem to be growing everywhere along the side of the trail.
The flat section in the middle is a nice break from both the hard climb up from the carpark and from the steep descent down from the summit. This portion of the trail offers nice views of the surrounding countryside, mainly due to the fact all the trees have been cut down.
At first we thought the cut trees seemed a bit unsightly, but it turns out that all the trees that were felled were non-native trees in an effort to allow native trees to repopulate the area. So, just ignore the fallen trees for now and enjoy the scenery this little bit of clean-up has made possible.
Final Climb to the Summit
The final ascent to the top is a bit of a grind. Once the flat section stops, the stairs begin and they don’t stop until near the Ben A’an summit, approximately 460 m above sea level. The effort is well worth it though as the views from the summit are incredible.
Summit Views
There are two large rock formations at the top (one is slightly higher than the other, thus being the official summit) and lots of room for hikers to spread out, relax and enjoy the views.
From the summit of Ben A’an you have earned views of not one, but two lochs: Loch Achray (the smaller one by the car park) and the much larger and longer Loch Katrine. The combination of the two lochs, surrounded by the other peaks of the Trossachs is simply spectacular.
Hiking Ben A’an Trail with Kids
There are no bathrooms, nor places to fill your hydration packs in the parking lot, so plan ahead before you arrive. Given the popularity of this trail, you may struggle to find privacy if your kids need to go.
The trail is often wide enough for two people, making family conversations much easier.
The stairs are quite steep so little ones may need help with some of the taller steps on the way up and may feel more comfortable holding a hand on the way down.
Watch the gravel on the way down; it gets pretty slippery when it’s steep and little kids are prone to fall in these sections.
The stairs can get congested, so move to the side if your kids are getting in the way of faster groups.
Be prepared for any weather as it can change often. Wear clothing in layers, bring lots of water, sunscreen, rain gear, and something to repel the midges if they are out. The weather can be a bit of a challenge on your trip to Scotland, so check out our Scotland packing list for families for more advice.
This is a steep, rocky trail and is not suitable for strollers. That said, many parents throughout Loch Lomond had their little ones on their backs in a baby or toddler carrier.
Dogs are allowed on Ben A’an; most of them will be off leash. Be aware, that according to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code dogs must be kept under proper control.
Before you head out, read our best tips for hiking with kids and see what we actually pack in our guide to hiking gear for kids.
Our Ben A’an Hike With Kids Video
Want to see what our family hike on Ben A’an looked like? This short video includes the highlights from the hike, the scenery, and what it was like hiking Ben A’an with kids.
After watching, keep reading for more links to our related Scotland posts.
We’re slowly adding more of our family travel videos to our YouTube channel, so feel free to subscribe if you’d like to follow along.
Where to Stop for Lunch or a Break
There are several good spots near the top for a quick break, but the summit is the best place to stop for lunch. There are tons of places to sit and enjoy the incredible views you’ve earned.
A Fun Fact
You see the word “Ben” often in Scotland. It’s derived from the Gaelic “beann”, which means “peak”.
Follow Along our Family Trip to Scotland
We arrived in Loch Lomond after starting our Scotland vacation with three days in Glasgow with kids. After Loch Lomond, we explored the area around Fort William with kids, where among other things, we got to see the famous Harry Potter train bridge.
If you are planning a family trip to Scotland, check out our comprehensive Scotland packing list for families. For inspiration, don’t miss our favorite things to do in Scotland with kids.
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