Scottish routes
episode 3
Ben ledi
Route Guides: Deviate HQ Staff
Route overview
Ben Ledi Mountain offers an exhilarating journey through the stunning landscape of Scotland's Trossachs National Park. Starting near the picturesque town of Callander, the trail winds its way through lush forests, rugged terrain, and breathtaking mountain vistas.
Riders can expect a mix of technical singletrack sections, challenging climbs, and thrilling descents as you plummet down the South-East face of Ben Ledi. There are also plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Scottish Highlands with Loch Lubnaig just a stones throw away. The route is renowned for its varied terrain and stunning scenery, making it a must-ride for MTB enthusiasts seeking an unforgettable adventure in the heart of Scotland.
Location
Ben Ledi, the Trossachs
Average Duration 1-2 Hours approx.
Distance 12km (Route Dependant)
Elevation 795M (Avg)
Technical Difficulty Moderate
Required Fitness Level Moderate
Local amenities
Callander (Town)
Cafes / Tesco Extra / Chip Shop / B&B’s / Pub
Loch Lubnaig Cafe
Trainline / Hostel / Campsite
Strathyre (Village)
Accommodation / Cafe
Map view
Route Rundown
Starting at the foot of Ben Ledi in the Ben Ledi car park you’re given a choice - head through the Stank Glen through scenic forest initially and then winding up the eastern side of the mountain or, you head up the walkers path on the southern side. We chose the former, and headed up the Stank Glen to catch some unforgettable Scottish scenery.
After a short fire-road pedal through the Stank Glen, we got caught up in some storm-damaged trees blocking the path. Typically this wouldn’t be an issue, but keep it in mind if you do decide to cycle up this route. After navigating through the fallen trees we continued our ascent up some slightly steeper, but still forgiving fire road.
As you continue your way along the fire road you will start to ascend the eastern side of Ben Ledi where the path quickly turns to tight single track. This is followed by some quite steep hike-a-bike sections - be prepared!
After a demanding start to the uphill slog, you'll begin to approach the shoulder of Ben Ledi. Here the steep gradient becomes even more challenging, requiring additional hike-a-bike efforts to navigate the rugged, steep, terrain.
Once you reach the summit, the views are nothing short of breathtaking. On a clear day, you can gaze across the stunning expanse of the Trossachs, with its rolling hills, forests, and lochs. Even more impressively, you can catch sight of Edinburgh's majestic skyline and the iconic Forth Bridge in the distance. The panoramic vista offers a perfect reward for your challenging ascent, making every step of the journey worthwhile. If the weather permits, it’s the perfect spot for a snack and a coffee!
After taking in the views on offer, the fun part begins. The descent from the get go is quite technical and is littered with boulders and gullies - your ‘A’ game will certainly be required here.
After some relentless chunky never-ending single track, you’ll gradually enter the lower third of the descent into the forest, which continues to coax out the arm pump. In the dry, there’s ample grip and it’s a hell of a lot of fun as your tyres scamper over endless chunk.
As you approach the end of the descent, things get a lot more flowy and tame, giving your arms a well needed break from the onslaught of the upper sections. The trail end spits you out around 20 seconds pedal away from the carpark, leaving you back at the van with a smile on your face.
Episode 2