John Muir Way · Overnight stop
Accommodation in Helensburgh
The start, on the Firth of Clyde. The recommended direction is west to east, with the prevailing south-westerly wind behind you and John Muir's birthplace at the end.
0km from Helensburgh · Stage stop
A planned eighteenth-century grid town on the north shore of the Clyde, best known for Mackintosh's Hill House. It is a commuter town with a seafront rather than a walking village, which is why it has ordinary shops and a steady supply of rooms.
A night here is a choice, not a stage — but it is the sensible one if you are travelling any distance, because the first day goes straight up into the hills.
What is actually in Helensburgh
Hotels and B&Bs. Scotland's Great Trails describes B&Bs, hotels and inns as well distributed along the whole route, and notes there are no hostels or bunkhouses anywhere outside Edinburgh — so budget walkers have no dorm option at either end of the west.
How far ahead to book
Not a pinch point. Helensburgh is a town of about 15,600, and its rooms serve the town rather than the trail.
When it is full
Glasgow is under an hour away by train, and staying there and catching an early train out is a perfectly reasonable start.
Getting there, and getting out
Two stations: Helensburgh Central for the town, with frequent trains from Glasgow, and Helensburgh Upper on the West Highland Line. Glasgow Queen Street is about 50 minutes.
Camping
No — it is a town. The first day goes over the hills above the Clyde, with views of Loch Lomond, before dropping to Balloch.
Food and resupply
Supermarkets (Waitrose, Co-op and Lidl). Buy for the first day here: the crossing to Balloch is open moorland.
Get the OutdoorSCOT weekly
One email a week — new route, hill and bothy guides, seasonal conditions and the odd hard-won lesson. No spam, unsubscribe in one click.