Long distance
Loch Lomond & Cowal Way
Crosses the Cowal Peninsula from Portavadie on Loch Fyne to Inveruglas on Loch Lomond, by the Kyles of Bute, Glendaruel, Strachur, Lochgoilhead and Arrochar — forest, open hillside and three climbs in the north, the highest to 500 m. Half of it lies in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. 4–5 days, 92 km (57 mi), 1,810 m of ascent; fully waymarked, and walking from Portavadie puts the prevailing south-westerlies behind you.
Quick facts
- Distance
- 92 km/ 57 mi
- Typical days
- 5
- Total ascent
- 1810 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Start → Finish
- Portavadie → Inveruglas
- Best direction
- South to North
- Water sources
- Refill in the villages — Portavadie, Tighnabruaich, Strachur, Lochgoilhead and Arrochar; Glendaruel has no cafe or pub. The hill crossings north of Strachur have burns; treat all sources.
- Mobile signal
- Expect signal in and near the villages, and gaps on the hill crossings north of Strachur and in the deeper forest glens.
✔ Waymarked throughout
Approximate profile derived from per-stage ascent — accurate on total climb and pattern, not a pixel-precise GPX trace.
Our take
The Loch Lomond & Cowal Way has a problem: it sits between the West Highland Way and Kintyre, both better known, and nobody quite knows it exists. That is also its greatest asset. You will see almost no other walkers. The terrain is varied — coastal, forest, moorland — and the finish at Loch Lomondside links neatly into the WHW. Ferry access from Portavadie adds a genuine adventure feel. Do not underestimate the north: the hill crossings beyond Strachur are rough and wet in places, and visibility on the highest stretch can be poor in low cloud.
Highlights
- The Kyles of Bute at Tighnabruaich
- Curra Lochain and the Sruth Ban falls on the Strachur to Lochgoilhead crossing
- The Arrochar Alps from the Loin Water
- Loch Lomond arrival at Inveruglas
Day-by-day itinerary
A suggested 5-day schedule. Adjust to your fitness and conditions.
1Portavadie to Tighnabruaich10km
From the ferry terminal at Portavadie on Loch Fyne across to Tighnabruaich on the Kyles of Bute.
- Terrain
- Paths, forest tracks and some quiet road.
- Overnight
- Tighnabruaich has places to stay.
- Stats
- Portavadie → Tighnabruaich · 10km
2Tighnabruaich to Glendaruel18km
Above the Kyles of Bute and through forest to the quiet farming glen of Glendaruel.
- Terrain
- Forest tracks, paths and quiet farm roads.
- Overnight
- Glendaruel has some accommodation but, as of 2019, nowhere to eat or drink.
- Stats
- Tighnabruaich → Glendaruel · 18km
3Glendaruel to Strachur26km
The longest stage, through Glendaruel and secluded forest to Strachur on Loch Fyne.
- Terrain
- Forest roads, paths and some quiet road.
- Overnight
- Strachur has places to stay.
- Stats
- Glendaruel → Strachur · 26km
4Strachur to Lochgoilhead14km
Up from Strachur by Succoth Farm and forest roads, across the Leavanin burn and over open hillside to Curra Lochain, then down by the Sruth Ban falls and forest roads to Lochgoilhead.
- Terrain
- Quiet roads, farm and forest tracks, then rough ground and small stream crossings; a moderate climb to 350 m and a steep, difficult descent.
- Overnight
- Lochgoilhead has places to stay.
- Stats
- Strachur → Lochgoilhead · 14km
5Lochgoilhead to Inveruglas24km
The route's highest climb, to 500 m on the crossing from Lochgoilhead to Arrochar, with views to the Luss hills and Ben Lomond; then a steep descent to Arrochar at the head of Loch Long. From Arrochar, paths and forest track by the Loin Water and across the Inveruglas Water lead down to Loch Lomond at Inveruglas, where the West Highland Way passes across the loch. The operator suggests breaking the stage at Arrochar.
- Terrain
- Quiet road, then farm and forest tracks and rougher ground where a map and compass may be needed in poor weather; steep descent; the final 5 km on forest track and road.
- Overnight
- Arrochar, part-way, has places to stay; Inveruglas has very little. Bus to Glasgow from the Loch Sloy Power Station stop.
- Stats
- Lochgoilhead → Inveruglas · 24km
Hills along the route
Munros, Corbetts, Grahams and Donalds near the route line — extensions or rest-day options.
Transport
To start (Portavadie)
Bus · West Coast Motors (478)
Dunoon pier to Portavadie — reach Dunoon by train to Gourock and the 20-minute ferry, or by McGill's bus from Glasgow (the ticket includes the ferry)
An hour or more from Dunoon; departure times vary with school holidays (Scotland's Great Trails).
Check times & book →
From finish (Inveruglas)
Bus · Scottish Citylink
Inveruglas to Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station
Not very frequent — check the timetable
The Inveruglas stop is called Loch Sloy Power Station; about 75 minutes to Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station (Scotland's Great Trails, read 2026-10-27).
Check times & book →
Best months
Accommodation
Hotels, B&Bs, caravan and campsites in the villages on the route — Portavadie, Tighnabruaich, Glendaruel, Strachur, Lochgoilhead, Arrochar and Inveruglas. Many places are seasonal (April to October) and busy in summer, so book ahead. Wild camping under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code is possible along much of the route.
Night-by-night guide: where to stay →Resupply
Small shops at Tighnabruaich, Strachur and Arrochar. Glendaruel had nowhere to eat or drink as of 2019 (Scotland's Great Trails) — carry food for the long Tighnabruaich to Strachur stretch through it, and for the hill crossings in the north.
Connect with
Chain into a longer expedition by combining with adjacent long-distance routes.
Loch Lomond & Cowal Way + Three Lochs Way
Connects at Inveruglas / Loch Lomond shore
Scotland's Great Trails lists the two as linked: both end at Inveruglas on Loch Lomond, so you can walk the Three Lochs Way back towards Helensburgh and Balloch.
Loch Lomond & Cowal Way + Kintyre Way
Cowal and Kintyre peninsulas — short ferry between
Take the Portavadie–Tarbert ferry from the Cowal Way start to Tarbert and join the Kintyre Way south.
Current conditions
Weather at the start point (Portavadie)
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 07:19
- Sunset
- 16:52
- Civil dawn
- 06:40
- Civil dusk
- 17:30
NOAA Solar Calculator · 28 October 2026
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Getting to and from the Loch Lomond & Cowal Way
Train and town anchors at each end of the route — on TripSCOT.
Start: Wemyss Bay station
Ferry to Rothesay (Isle of Bute) — West Island Way start
26km from Portavadie
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTFinish: Arrochar & Tarbet station
Arrochar Alps — The Cobbler, Beinn Ime, Beinn Narnain, Ben Vane, Ben Vorlich
5km from Inveruglas
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTStock up: Rothesay
Isle of Bute base; West Island Way; short Glasgow break
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