This post has been commissioned by Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. All opinions and content are my own.
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is a popular place for day trips, weekend getaways, and road trippers with its many lochs, charming villages, and breathtaking scenery. The park is packed with places to visit and things to do. It’s one of my favourites for days out, so I was thrilled when Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park invited me to explore some popular spots using their new shuttle bus called the Trossachs Explorer.
I hope this guide inspires you to explore the national park for yourself and helps you plan your own day trip to Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park.
If you are looking for more places to visit and things to do in Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park, you might also enjoy my two day itinerary of wheelchair accessible things to do in Loch Lomond, The Trossachs & Stirling.
Where to Stay in Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park?
I regularly visit the Trossachs, which is just a thirty-minute drive from my home, for walks or scenic drives, like the nearby Three Lochs Forest Drive. Since I was a child, my family has always stopped off in towns, such as Callander, on day trips. Some of my favourite childhood memories include having fish and chips at Callander Meadows, followed by ice cream on summer nights.
However, if you are travelling from further away and want to make the most of a trip to Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park, I would definitely recommend spending a night or two to see the highlights of this area.
Callander is known as the gateway to the Highlands, making it an excellent starting point for exploring Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park and ‘Rob Roy Country’, or for a rest stop on the way to the Highlands.
I can personally recommend the Crags Accessible Pod in Callander, offering beautiful views of Ben Ledi and the Callander Crags. I stayed in this wheelchair accessible glamping pod and was impressed with the facilities for disabled guests. The pod is fully equipped with a ceiling track hoist, a profiling bed, and a large changing places style wetroom.
Alternatively, if you are looking for an unusual place to stay that is wheelchair accessible then The Treehouses at Lanrick could be the perfect option for you. This luxury treehouse offers disabled access, including a wet room with roll-in shower facilities, and is situated in the middle of the forest. It’s magical.
What is the Trossachs Explorer?
The Trossachs Explorer is a pilot shuttle bus service running seven days a week until September 30, 2024. The service travels between Callander and Aberfoyle making stops at popular visitor locations such as Kilmahog/Ben Ledi, Brig o’ Turk, Ben A’an, Loch Katrine, Ben Venue, and The Lodge (Queen Elizabeth Forest Park), and then returns.
The Trossachs Explorer provides a stress-free and sustainable way to explore the beautiful landscapes, charming villages, and historical landmarks in the Trossachs area of the National Park.
Using public transport to access these locations not only benefits the environment but also makes it accessible for people who don’t drive. It reduces the hassle of finding parking and driving on congested and unfamiliar roads, allowing everyone to enjoy the attractions along the route. It also connects with services from Stirling and Glasgow to enhance car-free accessibility.
Young people under 22 and people over 60 can travel for free with a Scottish National Entitlement Card (NEC). A Day Saver ticket (unlimited journeys between Aberfoyle and Callander) costs £5.95 for adults, with group and family discounts available. Check out The Trossachs Explorer bus timetable to find out where and when you can catch it.
The Trossachs Explorer is reliable, sustainable and wheelchair accessible. I’m now excited to share my recent day trip using the Trossachs Explorer.
Accessible Day Trip to Callander and Aberfoyle on the Trossachs Explorer
During our day trip, we went to Callander, where we planned to take the Trossachs Explorer shuttle bus. We spent some time strolling along the high street, doing some window shopping before the bus arrived. Callander is a popular tourist town with quaint shops, cafes, and restaurants, including an all-year-round Christmas shop. Is it ever too early to buy a Christmas tree decoration?
When our bus arrived, it was not the green bus we were expecting with the Trossachs Explorer branding, but the friendly bus driver welcomed us and explained that it was undergoing routine maintenance, and his bus was covering the Trossachs Explorer route between Callander and Aberfoyle.
I am not a frequent bus traveller, so I always feel a little unsure when manoeuvring into the wheelchair space onboard buses. However, the bus driver quickly deployed the ramp for me to board and didn’t pressure me to hurry up, which I appreciated. Once I was in position, the driver pulled down the grab bar next to me and asked which stop I wanted to get off at, and off we went on our mini Trossachs adventure.
We got off at The Lodge (Queen Elizabeth Forest Park) car park, and we made the short walk up to The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre. It had been around five years since our last visit here when we came to pick our own Christmas tree and enjoy the Christmas market with gift and food stalls.
Our main reason for visiting The Lodge this time was to explore the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park. There are four walking trails, but the Waterfall Trail is the only wheelchair accessible trail.
This is a pleasant, gentle route through the forest with a firm surface throughout, consisting of tarmac, wooden walkways, and hard compacted ground. The trail is one mile long and takes you past a monument commemorating the Women’s Timber Corps, reflective artworks, wooden sculptures, and a variety of tree species.
The highlight of the trail is the beautiful waterfall that appears around the halfway mark. I have never been able to get close to a waterfall before because they have never been accessible to me. However, I was able to drive my wheelchair close and watch as the water rushed down. It was dramatic and beautiful. It appears much smaller in photos compared to real life.
After our stroll, we headed back to the Visitor Centre for some lunch at The Lodge Forest Cafe. We enjoyed a baked potato with beans and a toastie while taking in the panoramic forest views. The cafe is elevated, and the view out of the large windows gives a bird’s-eye view above the trees in the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park. It’s a great spot for bird watching too. The cafe is also dog friendly.
The visitor center also has local tourist information and an accessible toilet, which was really convenient before we hopped back on the Trossachs Explorer for the return journey to Callander.
If you are looking for an alternative option to The Lodge that is also wheelchair accessible, on the Trossachs Explorer route and a great place to visit on a day trip, I can highly recommend a Loch Katrine cruise on the iconic Steamship Sir Walter Scott. I went on a cruise at Loch Katrine last year and thoroughly enjoyed the experience on the steamship.
The Trossachs Explorer offers an accessible and enjoyable way to travel in the Trossachs area of the National Park. Many of the spots along the route are not accessible without a car, so this bus service is a fantastic choice for anyone seeking a stress-free journey through the beauty of the Trossachs.
I highly recommend considering using The Trossachs Explorer before the pilot ends on September 30th and hope the service will return next year.
I hope you too feel inspired to plan a car-free day trip to Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park.
Where would you like to visit on the Trossachs Explorer? Let me know in the comment section below.
Where Next: You Might Also Enjoy
Wheelchair Accessible Cruises on the Iconic Steamship Sir Walter Scott at Loch Katrine
Three Lochs Forest Drive | Beautiful Scenic Drive in Scotland
Explore Anstruther and St Andrews with This Accessible Day Trip Guide
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