Route descriptions

Starting from Balloch

1. Balloch Castle Country Park and Whinnie Hill Woods*
A network of routes giving easy walking with stunning views over Loch Lomond.
Allow 2-3 hours for Whinnie Hill Woods.

2. Stoneymollan Road to Cardross **
For stunning views of Loch Lomond, follow this ancient right of way across the moors from Balloch to Cardross. Route starts at bottom of Stoneymollan Road in Balloch at GR 384818 (Avoid a very muddy section by turning right at the cross roads in the forest) OS map useful. Allow 2 - 3 hours
(Train connections back to Balloch - change at Dalreoch Station)

3. Balloch – Helensburgh Cycle Way**
A road side cycle/walk way connecting Loch Lomond side to Helensburgh’s spectacularly leafy streets and scenic foot/cycle path network. Visit Charles Rennie Macintosh’s stunning Hill House (open 13.30- 17.00), or explore the peaceful backroads of beautiful Glen Fruin with its memorial to Scotland’s last clan battle. Allow 3 hours to walk or 1 hour to cycle from Balloch to Helensburgh. Helensurgh and Lomond Footpath map especially useful & available from local visitor information centres.
(Train connections back to Balloch - change at Dalreoch Station)

Starting from Luss

4. Luss village walk*
An easy scenic loop walk exploring this pretty conservation village and the leafy river banks of the Water of Luss. Path along river bank starts about 50 metres west of the Church.
Allow 1 hour.

5. Luss Hills***
A hillwalk around the head of Glen Striddle, exploring the summit plateaux of Ben Dubh and Mid Hill before descending to the road at Glenmollochan. Outstanding views over Loch Lomond and the picturesque village of Luss. Use pedestrian overbridge to cross A82 near primary school. Unwaymarked route begins at style just past house at west end of bridge GR 357931. (Map reading skills essential) Allow 5 hours.

Starting from Tarbet

6. Arrochar Walk and Tarbet Loop*
Two delightful woodland routes offering stunning views to The Arrochar Alps and Ben Lomond. Paths start through the underpass at Tarbet Station, GR 312045.
Allow 2 hours for each walk.

7. Glen Loin**
A continuation of the Arrochar route or you can start in the Village of Arrochar at GR 299046 just south of the Loch Long Hotel. A delightful route north through Glen Loin to Coiregrogain and Inveruglas on Loch Lomondside. Return to Tarbet the way you came. Allow 5 hours.

8. Cruach Tairbeirt***
This lower top can be accessed from the Tarbet loop path at GR 311048, where a rough unwaymarked route through woodland gives stunning views of Ben Lomond, Loch Lomond, Loch Long and the Arrochar Alps (map reading skills essential).
Allow 3 hours.
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Boats’n’boots options

Utilising ferries departing from Tarbet and Inverbeg

9. Inversnaid*
The 4Bs bus drops you in Tarbet where you can cruise across the stunningly beautiful fjiord like northern waters of Loch Lomond before landing at the peaceful haven of Inversnaid. Two short, but delightful woodland loop walks start at Inversnaid close to the Pier. Cross the bridge just south of the Inversnaid hotel to access the Arklet Waterfall path or walk north along the loch side to Rob Roy’s Cave and Royal Society for the Protection of Birds reserve. Both routes are waymarked and adjoin the main West Highland Way path.
Allow 2 hours.
Or why not take your bike across on the boat and cycle up past Loch Arklet and on over to the teaoom at Stronachlacher by Loch Katrine - 3 lochs in one day!
Allow 3 hours. Ferry adults £8.00, Children £5.00

Outward 4Bs bus departs Balloch Station 0902 or 1102. Boat departs Tarbet 1130 or 1330. Return boat to Tarbet leaves Inversnaid 1400 or 1630. Return bus leaves Tarbet 1600 or 1800.

10.West Highland Way**
Combine a cruise on Loch Lomond with a delightful walk along a scenic 11km stretch of this famous footpath from Rowardennan to Inversnaid.
Allow 3-4 hours for the walk. Ferry adults £14.50, Children £9.50

Outward 4Bs bus departs Balloch Station 0902. Boat departs Tarbet 1000 and returns from Inversnaid at 1630. Return 4Bs bus leaves Tarbet 1800.

11. Ben Lomond ***
A ‘must climb’ for all visitors to the National Park. The paths are good, but the views and the effort may leave you breathless. Take care because you will be a long way from help; full hillwalking kit essential!
Allow 5-6 hours for a complete traverse. Ferry £7.00 return.

Outward 4Bs bus departs Balloch Station 0902. Ferry departs Inverbeg 1000. Return boat to Inverbeg leaves Rowardennan 1730. Return 4Bs bus leaves Inverbeg 1809.

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12. West Loch Lomond Cycle Route

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Other walks accessible by public transport bus service from Balloch
(Change bus at Drymen)

13. Conic Hill**
Starting from the National Park’s visitor centre car park in Balmaha, this popular short hill walk utilises a section of the West Highland Way path. The attractive scenic contrasts in this area are down to the 450 million year old Highland Boundary Fault which underlies Conic Hill. So when you get to the top you will be standing on one of Scotland’s foremost geological features. The view’s good too!
Allow 2 hours

14. Inchcailloch*
A network of easy paths lets you explore this stunningly beautiful island nature reserve. Ferry from Balmaha boatyard (£4.00). Time ashore by arrangement.

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