Walking in the National Park

The walking choice in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park area is huge. From Glenbranter in the west to the Bracklinn Falls above Callander in the east, and similarly from the demanding heights of Ben Lui in the north, to the rewarding stroll up Duncryyne Hill near Gartocharn in the south, there are walking routes for all abilities and degrees of fitness. These even include well-surfaced roads over which general traffic is not permitted – for example, around Loch Katrine, or up to the Loch Sloy Dam.

Much of the walking, especially in Forestry Commission areas, is signposted and/or waymarked. The National Park Authority publishes a series of walking guides for various parts of the park. Other guides are available from the Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs on-line shop

There are, of course, natural clusters of walks and walking centres. Aberfoyle, on the Highland Boundary Fault, is just one. It also offers access to the extensive Loch Ard Forest. Other natural centres include the head of Balquhidder Glen, at Inverlochlarig, starting point for a number of Munros; while Killin, Crianlarich and Arrochar are other good walking bases. The Argyll Forest Park in Cowal also has plenty to offer. Finally, there are the ‘official’ long distance footpaths, most notably the West Hghland Way that offer through routes in the Park.

Duncryne

Just to the south of Gartocharn, a rewarding walk up to breathtaking panoramic viewpoint northwards over Loch Lomond, its islands and the Highland hills beyond. Simply one of Scotland’s best views.

Easy, with short steep section. 2 miles (3.5km)

Aber Path to Loch Lomond NNR

Another pleasant walk close to Gartocharn (and starting from the Millennium Hall) for views across the southern end of Loch Lomond and its bird-rich marsh and wetlands. Bring binoculars! Suitable for all ages.

Easy and level. 3.5 miles (5.5km)

Inchcailloch

A short boat journey from MacFarlane’s Boatyard at Balmaha allows an island experience, via a nature trail path through mature oakwood and up to a 250ft (75m) high viewpoint with a grand northwards panorama up the loch.

Easy. 2.5 miles (4km)

Conic Hill

Behind Balmaha, a steady pull leads to the top of the humped ridge of Conic Hill, right on the Highland Boundary Fault, with the hill’s highest point at 1130ft (345m). The route is easily found by following West Highland Way signs. The views across the islands of Loch Lomond, the actual line of the boundary fault, are especially good.

Moderate, walking boots advisable. 3 miles (5km)

Balmaha millennium Forest Path

This waymarked and easy to follow route is a good way of sampling the special ambience of the ‘Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond’. It also follows a section of the West Highland Way to a viewpoint overlooking the loch, Craigie Fort.

Easy. 1 mile (1.6km)

Ben Lomond

This is a full day excursion to high mountain terrain. Ben Lomond summit is at 3192 ft (974m) The circuit from the Rowardennan car-park to the top and the descent via Ptarmigan, 2398ft (731m) is a popular option.

Strenuous. Suitable footwear and walking equipment essential. c. 6 miles (10km) depending on descent route.

Ardess History Trail

Explore the archaeology hidden amid the woodland and bracken on this short trail. An insight into how this stretch of countryside housed and fed local families in days gone by.

Easy. 2 miles (3km)

West Highland Way – through Rob Roy country

Fromm Rowardennan, the West Highland Way takes woodland tracks by the loch to Inversnaid. Time it right for a ferry to Rowardennan from Tarbet and a return crossing to Tarbet from Inversnaid.

Moderate. Good footwear preferable. 9 miles (14 km)

Inversnaid nature reserve

Explore the Loch Lomondside oakwoods and the moorland above on a variety of interesting trails. (See also above). The area is managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and is noted for its summer visiting species, including pied flycatcher and various warblers. Black grouse are a feature of the moorland,

Easy. Various lengths.

Loch Sloy dam

A 182 ft (56m) high dam built  from 1946 onwards is dwarfed by the scale of the mountains and is well worth the walk ‘round the back’ of Ben Vorlich from Inveruglas. Social history is here too: the dam was built by prisoners of war awaiting repatriation. A camp and a railway station were set up at Inveruglas to accommodate the workforce. It was also the first dam of its kind to be built by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board. This walk gives a flavour of mountain country from the ‘security’ of a surfaced road!

Easy to moderate (depending on how far is walked). 7 miles (11km) round trip to dam.

Ben Lui

At 3707 ft (1130m) Ben Lui is a very big mountain by Scottish standards - the 28th highest out of 283 Munros  - and its steep upper slopes mean it is dangerous in winter conditions in particular. At any time of year this is an all-day expedition for fit and well equipped walkers. A variety of routes are possible. Many walkers ascend from Glen Cononish, others start from the A85 roadside west of Tyndrum. Ben Lui is also a National Nature Reserve because of its Arctic-Alpine plants.

Strenuous. Full hill-walking gear essential. c. 12 miles (19km) (via Cononish Glen)

Walks from Luss (various)

From a start in the pretty village of Luss, there are a variety of walking options detailed in a National Park leaflet. The longest of these (about an hour) is a full circuit of the village including a picturesque riverside stretch.

Easy. Various, up to 2 miles (3km)

Ben Venue

A Trossachs hill that exceeds 2000 ft (610m) – so demands care – but gives superb views over the Trossachs lochs and west beyond Ben Lui. The starting point is a Forestry Commission car-park close to the Loch Achray hotel. The path reaches the summit from the western side of the hill and the safest return is by the same path.

Strenuous – allow plenty of time. Suitable footwear essential. c. 7 miles (10km) depending on descent route.

The Cobbler

The Cobbler (2896ft / 883m) has probably one of Scotland’s most instantly recognisable mountain profiles.  The main path starts from Succoth car park to the west of Arrochar. The final ascent requires some scrambling, rock climbing and a good head for heights. Fine views of the Arrochar Alps.

Strenuous – hill-walking experience and good footwear essential. 7 miles (11km).

Ardgartan walks, Arrochar

Ardgartan Forest is part of the Argyll Forest Park, managed by Forestry Commission Scotland. There is a network of gentle, waymarked walks that can be combined with longer walks up Glen Loin and Succoth Burn.  The popular Tarbet Isle Loop above Loch Lomond is also within easy reach.

Easy to moderate. Various lengths