Can I ride the east shore all the way to Inverarnan?

It is not a good idea. Between Inversnaid and Inverarnan the West Highland Way is a narrow lochside path between crags and the loch, with boulders and boggy ground, and the Way's own multi-use notes call it very difficult with a bike. Ride out from Rowardennan to Inversnaid and come back the same way.

Is cycling allowed on the West Highland Way?

There is no ban — Scottish access rights cover responsible cycling. But it is a walking route first, some sections are unsuitable for bikes, and walkers have priority in practice. Between Rowardennan and Inversnaid most of the path is understood to be multi-use accessible; north of Inversnaid it is not a cycling route in any useful sense.

Can I camp on the east shore?

Wild camping under the Land Reform Act is legal, but the National Park applies camping management zones to Loch Lomond's shores. The East Loch Lomond management zone runs about 2.5km north of Rowardennan, beyond Ptarmigan Lodge, and camping inside it needs a permit from 1 March to 30 September. North of that you are outside the zone. Rowchoish Bothy is a free alternative.

This page does not publish a distance or ascent, because the line has not been traced. Measure Rowardennan to Inversnaid on your map and double it.

Gravel Cycling

Loch Lomond East Shore Gravel

Out and back from Rowardennan on the roadless east shore of Loch Lomond

Quick facts

Distance: Not published
Ascent: Not published
Difficulty: Moderate
Route type: Linear
Archetype: Forest Circuit
Region: Loch Lomond & The Trossachs
Start point: Rowardennan
Grid ref: NS 359 986
Parking: G63 0AW
Midges: High
Dogs: On lead only

Best months

Surface breakdown

Forest track60%
Double-track40%

Recommended bikes: Gravel bike (ideal), Hardtail MTB· Tyres: 42–48mm gravel or 2.1" MTB

About this route

There is no public road on the east shore of Loch Lomond north of Rowardennan. From the car park the West Highland Way follows a forest track and lochside path north past Ptarmigan Lodge and Rowchoish to Inversnaid. The West Highland Way's own multi-use notes say most of the Rowardennan–Inversnaid section is understood to be multi-use accessible, which makes it a fine out-and-back on a gravel bike or hardtail: forest, oakwood and the loch beside you, with Ben Lomond above.

Turn at Inversnaid. North of there, the lochside path to Inverarnan is the hardest section of the whole West Highland Way — narrow, between crags and the loch, with boulders, steep drops and boggy ground — and the same notes describe it as very difficult with a bike. It is not banned, but it is unsuitable for riding, so do not plan a through-ride to Inverarnan. This page has not been traced, so it publishes no distance or ascent.

Highlights

The roadless east shore north of Rowardennan
Rowchoish Bothy — a Mountain Bothies Association shelter in the woods above the loch, free to use
Ben Lomond above the start
Inversnaid, the turning point

Key waypoints

1. Rowardennan
2. Ptarmigan Lodge
3. Rowchoish
4. Inversnaid

Route notes

Ride out from Rowardennan to Inversnaid and return the same way. The route is the West Highland Way, so walkers are everywhere in summer: slow right down, give way and pass with care. Do not continue north of Inversnaid — the path to Inverarnan is very difficult with a bike. The East Loch Lomond camping management zone starts about 2.5 km north of Rowardennan, beyond Ptarmigan Lodge (see the camping FAQ).

Seasonal conditions

Midges can be severe at shore level from June to August. October is a good month for colour in the oakwoods. The path can be wet and slippery after rain and icy in winter.

Key hazards

Busy with West Highland Way walkers — pedestrians first on narrow sections
North of Inversnaid the path is unsuitable for bikes — turn back
Midges at shore level in summer
Patchy or no phone signal along much of the shore

Water sources on route

Burns along the shore (treat before drinking)

Always filter or treat water from natural sources. Carry at least 1L reserve on remote sections.

OS map sheets

OS OL39

Nearest hill

Ben Lomond

973.7m · arrochar-trossachs

View hill

Nearest bothy

Rowchoish

7km walk-in · loch-lomond-trossachs

View bothy

Daylight Today

10h 10mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 07:38
Sunset: 16:26
Civil dawn: 06:57
Civil dusk: 17:07

NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 November 2026

Common questions

Can I ride the east shore all the way to Inverarnan?: It is not a good idea. Between Inversnaid and Inverarnan the West Highland Way is a narrow lochside path between crags and the loch, with boulders and boggy ground, and the Way's own multi-use notes call it very difficult with a bike. Ride out from Rowardennan to Inversnaid and come back the same way.
Is cycling allowed on the West Highland Way?: There is no ban — Scottish access rights cover responsible cycling. But it is a walking route first, some sections are unsuitable for bikes, and walkers have priority in practice. Between Rowardennan and Inversnaid most of the path is understood to be multi-use accessible; north of Inversnaid it is not a cycling route in any useful sense.
Can I camp on the east shore?: Wild camping under the Land Reform Act is legal, but the National Park applies camping management zones to Loch Lomond's shores. The East Loch Lomond management zone runs about 2.5km north of Rowardennan, beyond Ptarmigan Lodge, and camping inside it needs a permit from 1 March to 30 September. North of that you are outside the zone. Rowchoish Bothy is a free alternative.
How far is it?: This page does not publish a distance or ascent, because the line has not been traced. Measure Rowardennan to Inversnaid on your map and double it.