The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre - Image 1

The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre

Aberfoyle, United Kingdom•4.6(890)•Country Park, Nature Reserve

The gateway to Queen Elizabeth Forest Park with woodland trails, wildlife watching, and adventure activities for all ages.

The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre opens the door to Scotland's magnificent Queen Elizabeth Forest Park. Families can choose from walking trails ranging from gentle strolls to challenging hill climbs, with the popular Waterfall Trail perfect for younger children. The Red Squirrel Hide gives visitors the chance to spot these beloved creatures in their natural habitat, while live webcams bring birds and wildlife close even from indoors. Adventure-seekers can tackle the Go Ape treetop course with its thrilling zip lines. Bug bags available for hire come with binoculars and identification guides, turning any walk into a nature safari. The visitor centre cafe provides warm refreshments after outdoor explorations, and panoramic mountain views reward visitors at every turn.

Prices

Free entry

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Opening Hours

Monday10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Tuesday10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Wednesday10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Thursday10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Friday10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Saturday10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sunday10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Venue Details

Venue Type

Indoor & Outdoor

Typical visit duration

All day

Booking

Walk-in

Recommended ages

2 years – 12 years

What this place offers

ToiletsToilets
Public transportPublic transport nearby
Accessible toilets
Free WiFi
Baby changingBaby changing facilities
Food available
On-site parking
🐕Dog-friendly
Parking nearby
Pushchair friendlyPushchair friendly

☕ Food & Drink

The Lodge Cafe

Cafe with one of the best views in Scotland. Dogs welcome inside.

Hours: Apr-Oct 10am-4:30pm Nov-Mar 10am-3/4pm

Visit website

Google Reviews

4.6(890 reviews)
J
J S

J S

a month ago

The walk and forest offer a range of routes, with the waterfall, wooden bridge, hammocks, and wildlife observation providing excellent views. The café is also highly recommended, particularly the coffee. It serves as a welcome treat, with great views after a walk. Please note that parking is payable at the top, and the cafe closes at 3pm. There's nothing overly unusual about this, just useful information to consider before you visit.

S
Shreya K

Shreya K

6 months ago

Lovely walk accessible for everyone! Staff was so helpful and got us a mobility scooter for free :) We took the white path and it was 100% worth it. A beautiful waterfall and bird/squirrel for everyone to enjoy, regardless of disabilities!!

S
Shane McDonald

Shane McDonald

6 months ago

A really excellent day out. We did the blue and the green trails and also stripped off at the red squirrel and bird hide where we saw 6 red squirrel and many wild birds. Plus we saw a sparrow hawk swoop down to try attack the small birds. A sparrow hawk only 3 feet away from you in full attack mode ; as Chris Packham would say “that’s why you lay your license fee”! The visitor centre is excellent also. We did stop at the cafe and it was really good food at a good price. Perhaps one or two extra vegetarian options would be appreciated. Parking is £1 for an hour or £5 for all day. Parking takes coins and card and is pay and display. All in all 5 stars.

C
C M

C M

8 months ago

Was lucky to come here for the second time on a scorching hot day. Loads of parking - we’d spent hours at the 3 lochs drive before coming here and still managed to find a space. The ladies who were working in the visitor centre were so friendly and knowledgeable. We’d asked them for a map so we could see the 4 walking paths and decide which one(s) we were going to do. We were given a map and ended up doing 2 of the trails. The ladies were then answering random questions my 8yo had about the area and such and then they spent 5 mins teaching him about contour lines on a map and comparing it to the 4D model of the hills they had in the centre. The 2 trails we did were just lovely. We followed the white trail first which is suitable for families and wheelchairs. This takes you down to a waterfall. There are hammocks, little hobbit houses, bug houses and a little water feature the kids can play in if there’s been rain. Cafe is as you’d expect with food and prices. We brought our own packed lunch and sat on the grass near the centre to eat. Keep a look out for the mirrored silhouettes in the forest (white coloured trail), these are cool and a little eery.

T
Trawheel.packer

Trawheel.packer

a year ago

It was rainy day on our visit. The center was accessible for wheelchair. There is an accessible walking route. It takes almost half an hour. You will see an impressive waterfall, is called "the burn of the fawn". My partner was able to go close by wheelchair. The center even provides a scooter for people with limitations in mobility to go on the route. Beautiful scenery!

Reviews last updated: 8 February 2026

Events at The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre

No upcoming events scheduled

Check back soon for new events at this venue.

This venue was last updated on 8 February 2026

Frequently asked questions about The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre

Is The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre free to visit?

Entry to The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre is completely free — there are no admission charges, making it a great no-cost option for a family day out.

What ages is The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre suitable for?

The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre is best for children aged 2 to 12.

Is The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre dog-friendly?

Yes, dogs are welcome at The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre.

Is there parking at The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre?

Yes, The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre has on-site parking.

Is there food at The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre?

Yes — The Lodge Cafe is on site at The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre. Cafe with one of the best views in Scotland.

Is The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre pushchair-friendly?

Yes, The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre is pushchair, pram and buggy friendly — most areas are step-free so you can navigate easily with little ones in tow.

How long should we plan to spend at The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre?

The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre is a full-day experience — plan accordingly.

How do I get to The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre by public transport?

The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre is well-served by public transport.
Kiddy Compass