Stronend

A fantastic viewpoint for the Trossachs to the north and west and the Campsies to the south. At 511m, Stronend is the highest point of the Gargunnock / Fintry Hills. Navigation skills will be required in poor visibility.

Distance: 13.3 km / 8.2 miles
Ascent: 440 m / 1400 feet
Terrain: Rough moorland and landrover track. Wet at times.
Start / finish: Ballochleam, near Gargunnock. Small parking area at NS 652922 on unclassified road

Route Map

Head along the road from the parking spot to the Ballochleam Farm track , a distance of about 700m.

The first part of the walk is a straightforward ascent on a landrover track for 3km to the Spout of Ballochleam. After passing through a gate, keep right on a quad bike track in a westerly direction. There are some wet underfoot conditions around here.

At a lovely gorge, the track crosses over the burn but on the south side (your left) is the start of a rough trodden path alongside the burn. The path becomes somewhat intermittent and you will need to pick your own way through heather patches. As you start to approach the summit however, the path becomes much more defined and the terrain is easier. If you want to avoid the rough terrain you can always use the descent route which is on a quad bike track. The final section to the large summit cairn is on a quad bike track.

Return the way you came on the quad bike track but keep to the main track rather than using the trodden path. The track bears left to follow the edge of the escarpment with fantastic views across the fields to the higher hills to the north. Keep with the track as it turns south away from the cliff edge and back towards the burn. Cross the burn at a ford and follow your outward route on the track back to Ballochleam.