Long distance
Cowal Way
Traverses the Cowal Peninsula from Loch Fyne to Loch Lomond through quiet forests, coastal stretches and hill passes. One of the least-walked Great Trails.
Quick facts
- Distance
- 92 km/ 57 mi
- Typical days
- 5
- Total ascent
- 2800 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Start → Finish
- Portavadie → Inveruglas
- Best direction
- South to North
✔ Waymarked throughout
Our take
The 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.
Highlights
- Loch Fyne coastline
- Strachur to Lochgoilhead hill crossing
- Ardgartan forest
- Loch Lomond arrival at Inveruglas
Day-by-day itinerary
A suggested 5-day schedule. Adjust to your fitness and conditions.
1Portavadie to Tighnabruaich16km · 400m ascent
From the ferry terminal along the Loch Fyne coast and through forest to the yachting village of Tighnabruaich on the Kyles of Bute.
- Terrain
- Coastal paths, forest tracks, some hill walking.
- Overnight
- Tighnabruaich has the Royal An Lochan Hotel and B&Bs.
- Stats
- Portavadie → Tighnabruaich · 16km · ↑400m
2Tighnabruaich to Strachur20km · 650m ascent
Over the spine of Cowal through forest and open moorland. The hill crossing between the Kyles of Bute and Loch Fyne is the toughest on the route.
- Terrain
- Hill paths, moorland, forest tracks. Significant ascent.
- Overnight
- Strachur has the Creggans Inn and B&Bs on Loch Fyne.
- Stats
- Tighnabruaich → Strachur · 20km · ↑650m
3Strachur to Lochgoilhead18km · 600m ascent
Over another hill crossing through Argyll forest to Lochgoilhead at the head of its remote sea loch. Quiet and beautiful walking.
- Terrain
- Forest roads, hill paths, some rough ground.
- Overnight
- Lochgoilhead has B&Bs and a caravan park.
- Stats
- Strachur → Lochgoilhead · 18km · ↑600m
4Lochgoilhead to Arrochar20km · 650m ascent
Through the Ardgartan Forest and over the pass to Arrochar at the head of Loch Long. The Arrochar Alps are visible throughout.
- Terrain
- Forest paths, hill tracks, descent through glen.
- Overnight
- Arrochar has the Village Inn, B&Bs and a campsite.
- Stats
- Lochgoilhead → Arrochar · 20km · ↑650m
5Arrochar to Inveruglas18km · 500m ascent
The final stretch along Loch Long and over to Loch Lomond at Inveruglas. The walk ends where the West Highland Way passes.
- Terrain
- Loch-shore paths, forest tracks, some road walking.
- Overnight
- Inveruglas has the Drovers Inn nearby. Bus connections to Glasgow.
- Stats
- Arrochar → Inveruglas · 18km · ↑500m
Best months
Accommodation
B&Bs at Tighnabruaich, Strachur, Lochgoilhead and Arrochar. Wild camping possible throughout. Limited compared to the WHW.
Resupply
Small shops at Tighnabruaich, Strachur and Arrochar. Carry a full day of food for the middle sections.
Current conditions
Weather at the start point (Portavadie)
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:36
- Sunset
- 21:00
- Civil dawn
- 04:52
- Civil dusk
- 21:45
NOAA Solar Calculator · 2 May 2026
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