So close to the central belt and numerous towns and cities, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park offers an easily accessible outdoors environment. It takes me just half an hour by car or around an hour by bike to reach the southern gateway to the park at Balloch.

This on-my-doorstep outdoors playground is where I walk, climb hills and mountains, road cycle, mountain bike, kayak, swim open water and had my first go at Stand Up Paddle boarding.

Five great experiences in the National Park

1) I’ve climbed Ben Lomond, Scotland’s most southerly Munro many times. I’ve run up and down the tourist trail, run/walked the Ptarmigan route and descended by the tourist trail, hiked to the summit at night and walked it with my partner and friends.

2) One of my family’s favourite walks to do with visitors is Conic Hill. It is not a difficult walk, although there are some steep steps in places, and the summit is less than 350m, but this hill boasts amazing views of Loch Lomond and its many islands.

3) Swimming in the open water in Scotland is a fast-growing passion for many people. Loch Ard and Loch Lomond are two popular locations for a dip in the cold waters, dressed in a wetsuit, and surrounded by fantastic scenery on all sides.

4)  Mountain biking on the West Highland Way takes you from the start at Milngavie, just north of Glasgow, to Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park via Drymen, Balmaha, Conic Hill, the eastern shores of Loch Lomond, Inversnaid, Crianlarich and Tyndrum. The route heads on to reach Fort William and totals 96 miles of awesome off-road riding.

5) A great family outing is to take the Loch Katrine Steamship from Trossachs Pier to Stronachlachar with your bike. Disembark at Stronachlachar and cycle the traffic free route back to the start.

The park also lists 10 top days out.

Wild Park 2020

A new initiative in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is Wild Park 2020. The Biodiversity Action Plan sets out more than 90 projects, spearheaded by five key Wild Challenges, which include red squirrels, invasive non-native plants, mountain bogs, black grouse and woodland habitat.

Paul Wheelhouse, Minister for Environment & Climate Change, was at the recent plan launch and said: “Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is truly one of Scotland’s treasures. As one of our most important locations for nature conservation, it is extremely heartening to see the excellent partnership work to protect and research the incredible biodiversity in the Park.

“From the iconic golden eagle, red squirrel and salmon to peat bogs and mosses, the Wild Park 2020 Action Plan is rightly aiming to help safeguard these remarkable species and landscapes for generations to come.”

Another new initiative is a partnership between Air Wick and the UK National Parks to develop a range of fragrances, including a National Parks branded air freshener, which are inspired by our National Parks. So if you can’t reach a park, you can always bring the countryside to your own home!

Tell me some of the things you love about your favourite UK national park.