Following the wooded east shoreline all the way up the long northern reach of Loch Lomond, from the foot of Ben Lomond to Glen Falloch, this is (for my money) the best stage of the WHW and one of the most beautiful single days out to be had on any long distance trail in the UK. It's quite rugged and remote-feeling at times, with great views out over the water to the Arrochar 'Alps'. With luck you might spot (or smell) feral wild goats in the woods.
Detailed description
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Difficulty: ModerateDistance: 13.09 miles (21 km)
Total ascent: 400m
Time: 5 – 7 hours (Walking)
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Additional Information
Start Rowardennan, NS359993; Finish Beinglas campsite near Inverarnan, NN320186
Nearest town:
Balloch
Terrain:
Forest tracks and footpath, quite rocky in parts and with more cumulative ascent than might be supposed thanks to the many little ups and downs. The optional Rowchoish variation gives some rough exploratory-feeling woodland walking. The main route is obvious throughout, and waymarked wherever necessary.
Seasonal variations:
A reasonably adventurous low-level day in winter if the weather is too wild for hillwalking on the surrounding summits.
Weather and Hill Conditions: mwis: West Highlands – Met Office: West Highlands
Public transport:
Water bus services connect various points on the east side of Loch Lomond with points on the west shore that also have bus/rail links. See http://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org for details.
Guidebooks:
West Highland Way, Dan Bailey, pb. Pocket Mountains
http://www.pocketmountains.com/product/west-highland-way
Maps:
OS Explorer 364 (1:25,000), OS Landranger 56 (1:50,000), OS Landranger 50 (1:50,000)
Accommodation:
Rowardennan Lodge Youth Hostel 01360 870259
Bunkhouse at Inversnaid hotel, mid-walk 01877 386223
Beinglas campsite near Inverarnan 01301 704281
The seasonal camping ban recently introduced on the east shore of Loch Lomond extends only as far north as Rowardennan. See here: http://www.ukhillwalking.com/news/item.php?id=60919
There are two bothies along this stretch of the loch - it won't take long with a map to work out where.
Find more Listings near this route
Tourist info:
Tarbet (Loch Lomond) (08707 200 623); Ardgartan (08707 200 606); Drymen (08707 200 611)
Further Routes
by Dan Bailey UKH
- Meall na Teanga & Sron a' Choire Ghairbh - The Loch Lochy Munros 6 Nov, 2023
- Bynack More 19 Oct, 2023
- Beinn a' Mhuinidh 4 Oct, 2023
- Loch Ossian round - Seven Munros by Train 15 Sep, 2023
- Beinn Dronaig - 30km of Solitude 23 Aug, 2023