Three Lochs Forest Drive
A forest road past three lochs, north of Aberfoyle
Verdict
Go if you want an easy scenic Trossachs loop with short forest trails, and you travel between spring and the end of September.
Skip if you want a big-view hike, or you arrive after the winter closure: the road is shut to cars then and the drive is forest, not open loch shore.
- Length of the drive
- 7 miles
- Cars after 4pm on 30 September
- Closed
- Vehicle charge
- Small fee
- Walking trails in winter
- Open
The short answer
The Three Lochs Forest Drive is a 7-mile circular, one-way forest road past Lochan Reoidhte, Loch Drunkie and Loch Achray, run by Forestry and Land Scotland. It closed to cars at 4pm on Wednesday 30 September and reopens in spring, so on the date we checked (12 October 2026) you can walk or cycle the trails but not drive it. There is a small vehicle charge; check the Forestry and Land Scotland page before you go. For more ideas for a day out in the meantime, start with the main list.
What you get
Three lochs on one loop
The one-way road passes Lochan Reoidhte, Loch Drunkie and Loch Achray. It starts on the east side of the A821 Duke’s Pass, about 2 miles north of Aberfoyle, and the operator is Forestry and Land Scotland.
Three short forest trails
The Achray Trail (about 1.2 km), Pine Ridge Trail (1.5 km) and Loch Drunkie Trail (1.9 km) start at the forest drive car parks. They stay open to walkers, bikes and horse-riders when the road is closed to vehicles.
Winter and closures
Cars are shut out from 4pm on Wednesday 30 September until spring. We could not find the exact reopening date or daily hours on the pages we checked, so look at the Forestry and Land Scotland alerts before you set off.
Overnight in a motorhome
The National Park lists the forest drive as one of the places with motorhome permit bays, with no caravans. Camping and motorhome permits has the rules and the booking page.
The wider Trossachs
The drive suits a half day alongside other Trossachs stops. Exploring the Trossachs gathers them, and midges, rain and daylight by month helps you choose the date.
How long to allow
Forestry and Land Scotland gives the length but not a drive time, so these are planning estimates, not timed trips.
| Time you have | What fits | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| A short stop | Drive the loop without stopping long, when the road is open. | The road is 7 miles and one-way, so you cannot turn back halfway. |
| Half a day | The drive with one short trail, then lunch in Aberfoyle. | The trails are 1.2 to 1.9 km, so any one of them fits easily. |
| A full day | The drive, two trails and a second Trossachs stop. | Check the closing time of the next stop before you commit. |
| Winter visit | Park and walk the trails; the road is closed to cars. | Trails stay open to walkers, bikes and horse-riders. |
Charge, season and limits
- Vehicle charge
- A small vehicle charge applies. Check the Forestry and Land Scotland page before you go.
- Winter closure
- Closed to cars from 4pm on Wednesday 30 September. Reopens in spring. Trails stay open.
- Reopening date and hours
- Not published on the pages we checked. Ask Forestry and Land Scotland or the Lodge Forest Visitor Centre.
- Vehicle size limits
- Not stated on the pages we checked. If you have a campervan, motorhome or caravan, ask before you go.
- Operator
- Forestry and Land Scotland (Queen Elizabeth Forest Park)
Getting there and parking
The drive starts on the east side of the A821, and the trails begin at the drive’s own car parks. For other stops, which car park to choose compares the loch and village options.
Forest drive entrance, A821 Duke’s Pass
- Entrance
- East side of the A821 Duke’s Pass, about 2 miles north of Aberfoyle
- Nearest postcode
- FK8 3SY
- Charge
- Small vehicle charge; check Forestry and Land Scotland
Last checked 12 Oct 2026
Car-free
We found no public transport to the entrance. Check Traveline Scotland on the day.
Is it for me?
| If you are | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Families | Good | Short trails of 1.2 to 1.9 km start at the drive’s car parks. |
| Campervans and motorhomes | Check | Vehicle size limits are not published on the pages we checked. Ask before you drive in. |
| Walkers and cyclists | Good | The trails stay open when the road is closed to vehicles. |
| Visitors in winter | Mixed | Cars are shut out from 30 September until spring, but you can still walk the trails. |
| Hillwalkers after views | Poor | This is a forest road and short trails, not a summit day. |
Questions people ask
How long is the Three Lochs Forest Drive?
It is 7 miles, a circular one-way road. Forestry and Land Scotland gives no drive time, so allow longer if you stop at the trails.
What are the three lochs?
Lochan Reoidhte, Loch Drunkie and Loch Achray.
Is there a toll on the Three Lochs Forest Drive?
Yes, a small vehicle charge. The sources we checked disagree on the amount, so check the Forestry and Land Scotland page before you go.
Can you walk the Three Lochs Forest Drive?
The three trails off the drive stay open to walkers, bikes and horse-riders when cars are shut out. We could not confirm whether you may walk the road itself, so ask Forestry and Land Scotland.
Is the Three Lochs Forest Drive open now?
Not to cars on 12 October 2026: the road closed at 4pm on Wednesday 30 September and reopens in spring. The exact date is not published on the pages we checked.
Is there a map of the Three Lochs Forest Drive?
Forestry and Land Scotland publishes a route card as a PDF. Look for it on its Queen Elizabeth Forest Park page.
Close by
- NearbyLoch KatrineA separate guide covers the loch.
- NearbyTrossachs PierA separate guide covers the pier.
- FurtherCallanderA town stop on the way east.