John Muir Way · Overnight stop
Accommodation in Balloch
The end of the first day, at the foot of Loch Lomond, after the Way comes down off the hills from Helensburgh.
End of day one · Stage stop
A village at the foot of Loch Lomond and the national park's southern gateway, with a National Park centre. Day one gets here over windswept moorland with little shelter, so it is a better-earned first night than the route's 'easy' reputation suggests.
The first night on almost any schedule — and the night before the longest day on the route.
What is actually in Balloch
Hotels and B&Bs, plus the pubs by the station. The Maid of the Loch is one of the Way's passport stamping stations.
How far ahead to book
Balloch is a day-trip destination from Glasgow before it is a walking stop, so its pressure is summer weekends and school holidays rather than the trail. Book early for those; midweek outside summer is rarely tight.
When it is full
Glasgow is 46 minutes back by train, every half hour off-peak. Taking the first train out in the morning costs you nothing on the walking.
Getting there, and getting out
Balloch station is the end of the North Clyde Line from Glasgow Queen Street — 46 minutes, two trains an hour off-peak and four at peak. Scotland's Great Trails also lists buses from Balloch to Killearn, on the next day's route.
Camping
Not in the village. Balloch is inside Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, where four seasonal camping management zones cover specific lochside strips from 1 March to 30 September — check the zones before pitching anywhere by the water.
Food and resupply
Cafés and pubs a few minutes from the station. Stock up here for the 29km to Strathblane.
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