Can I do this as a return ride from Rowardennan?

Yes — it's 90km return. Most riders prefer the one-way option with a car shuttle or public transport. The bus from Inverarnan (A82 roadside) to Balloch and train back to Glasgow connects well with arrival at Rowardennan by 16:00.

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. North of Rowardennan you are outside the management zones — wild camping is unrestricted. Rowchoish Bothy is a free alternative.

Is this the West Highland Way cycling route?

No — the West Highland Way is a walking route and cycling is not permitted on the footpath sections. This gravel route uses the parallel forestry tracks above the lochside path. There is significant overlap in some sections where the paths merge on broader forest tracks.

How rough is the track above Ptarmigan Lodge?

Rocky in places with some loose gravel on the steeper sections. A gravel bike with 45mm tyres handles it comfortably in dry conditions. After rain the descent can be loose — wider MTB tyres give more confidence.

Gravel Cycling

Loch Lomond East Shore Gravel

The wild side of Loch Lomond — no road, no crowds, just 45km of forest and shoreline

Quick facts

Distance: 45 km (28 mi)
Ascent: 680 m
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 track55%
Tarmac single-track25%
Double-track20%

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

About this route

The east shore of Loch Lomond has no public road north of Rowardennan — which is exactly why it is one of Scotland's best gravel routes. The West Highland Way walking path shares the forest track for the first 20km but then diverges inland while the cycling route stays higher in the Forestry Commission blocks, giving intermittent views across the loch to the Arrochar Alps before descending to Inverarnan at the head of the loch.

The contrast between Rowardennan and Inverarnan is striking: Rowardennan is polished National Park with yacht moorings and a modern hotel; Inverarnan is raw Highland frontier, dominated by the Drovers Inn — a 1705 coaching inn with stuffed animals in glass cases, open fires, and reputedly the most atmospheric pub in Scotland. The ride in either direction is genuinely excellent, but south-to-north benefits from the slight downhill bias in the second half.

Highlights

Loch Lomond from Ptarmigan Lodge ridge — the full 23km width of the loch visible on clear days
Rowchoish Bothy — small estate cottage beside the loch, free to use, overlooking the water
Oak woodland at Cailness — ancient Atlantic oakwood with thick moss and hart's tongue fern
Ben Lomond from the north approach — the most photographed Scottish mountain from this angle
The Drovers Inn, Inverarnan — 1705, stuffed bear, open fire, and legendary Highland beef stew

Key waypoints

1. Rowardennan
2. Ptarmigan Lodge
3. Rowchoish
4. Cailness
5. Doune Byre
6. Inverarnan

Cafés & pubs on route

· Rowardennan Hotel bar meals
· Inverarnan Inn (Drovers Inn — famous)

Named climbs

Ptarmigan Lodge climb (380m)
Rowchoish forestry climb (250m)

Notable descents

Cailness descent to Loch shore
Inverarnan approach

Route notes

The West Highland Way walkers use the lower lochside path — the cycling route takes the upper FLS forest track above Ptarmigan Lodge. Be courteous where the paths merge. Inverarnan can be reached by the A82 — arrange vehicle shuttle or take the bus north and cycle south. The Drovers Inn does not take advance bookings for food.

Seasonal conditions

Midges are severe at Loch Lomond shore level June–August. The forest track is elevated enough to get a breeze but the lochside sections at Rowchoish are notorious. October is optimal: autumn colour in the oak woodland, no midges, red deer visible on the hill above. Winter riding is possible but the track above Ptarmigan Lodge can be icy.

Key hazards

West Highland Way walkers at Rowardennan — priority to pedestrians on shared sections
Midges at Rowchoish Bothy June–August (historic and severe)
No phone signal for the central 20km of the route
Drovers Inn car park fills fast — park at Inverarnan and ride north if driving there

Water sources on route

Multiple burns throughout
Loch Lomond shore — filter required

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

973m · arrochar-trossachs

View hill

Nearest bothy

A' Chuil Bothy

Walk-in: 6 km · glen-coe-lochaber

View bothy

Daylight Today

17h 31mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 05:17
Sunset: 21:13
Civil dawn: 04:29
Civil dusk: 22:00

NOAA Solar Calculator · 9 May 2026

Common questions

Can I do this as a return ride from Rowardennan?: Yes — it's 90km return. Most riders prefer the one-way option with a car shuttle or public transport. The bus from Inverarnan (A82 roadside) to Balloch and train back to Glasgow connects well with arrival at Rowardennan by 16:00.
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. North of Rowardennan you are outside the management zones — wild camping is unrestricted. Rowchoish Bothy is a free alternative.
Is this the West Highland Way cycling route?: No — the West Highland Way is a walking route and cycling is not permitted on the footpath sections. This gravel route uses the parallel forestry tracks above the lochside path. There is significant overlap in some sections where the paths merge on broader forest tracks.
How rough is the track above Ptarmigan Lodge?: Rocky in places with some loose gravel on the steeper sections. A gravel bike with 45mm tyres handles it comfortably in dry conditions. After rain the descent can be loose — wider MTB tyres give more confidence.