Long distance
Loch Lomond and Cowal Way
A short, accessible route connecting Loch Lomond, the Gareloch and Loch Long. Forest paths, loch shores and hill passes within easy reach of Glasgow. The route uses lochside paths, forestry roads and one substantial hill crossing; suits Glasgow-based walkers wanting a short weekend trail with rail access at both ends.
Quick facts
- Distance
- 55 km/ 34 mi
- Typical days
- 3
- Total ascent
- 1200 m
- Difficulty
- easy
- Start → Finish
- Balloch → Inveruglas
- Best direction
- South to North
- Water sources
- Balloch (start), Helensburgh, Garelochhead, Arrochar (near finish at Inveruglas) — all have taps and shops. The middle hills between Helensburgh and Garelochhead carry burns; treat all sources. Glen Douglas is dry on its eastern slopes.
- Mobile signal
- EE/Vodafone reliable in Balloch, Helensburgh and Garelochhead. The Glen Douglas and Loch Long shoreline sections may drop signal briefly. Coverage is generally good for an Argyll route.
✔ Waymarked throughout
Approximate profile derived from per-stage ascent — accurate on total climb and pattern, not a pixel-precise GPX trace.
Our take
The Three Lochs Way is the perfect long-weekend route for Glasgow residents — train to Balloch on Friday evening, walk for three days, bus home from Inveruglas. The terrain is gentle, the scenery is classic Argyll, and the route avoids the crowds on the West Highland Way while running through similar landscape. A confidence-builder before tackling something longer.
Highlights
- Loch Lomond shore at Balloch
- Helensburgh seafront
- Gareloch and the Rosneath Peninsula
- Glen Douglas and Loch Long
Day-by-day itinerary
A suggested 3-day schedule. Adjust to your fitness and conditions.
1Balloch to Helensburgh18km · 350m ascent
From Loch Lomond through farmland and over the hills to Helensburgh on the Clyde coast. Views back to the loch and across the Firth of Clyde.
- Terrain
- Woodland paths, hill tracks, town walking.
- Overnight
- Helensburgh has hotels and B&Bs. Good train links to Glasgow.
- Stats
- Balloch → Helensburgh · 18km · ↑350m
2Helensburgh to Garelochhead18km · 400m ascent
Along the Gareloch shore past the naval base at Faslane and through forest to Garelochhead at the head of the loch.
- Terrain
- Loch-shore paths, forest trails, some road walking.
- Overnight
- Garelochhead has B&Bs and the Anchor Inn.
- Stats
- Helensburgh → Garelochhead · 18km · ↑400m
3Garelochhead to Inveruglas19km · 450m ascent
Over the hills between the Gareloch and Loch Long, then through Glen Douglas to Loch Lomond at Inveruglas. A satisfying finish linking back to the WHW.
- Terrain
- Hill paths, glen tracks, forest roads. The most demanding day.
- Overnight
- Inveruglas has limited options. The Drovers Inn at Inverarnan is nearby. Bus to Glasgow.
- Stats
- Garelochhead → Inveruglas · 19km · ↑450m
Hills along the route
Munros, Corbetts, Grahams and Donalds within 5km of the route line — extensions or rest-day options.
Transport
To start (Balloch)
Train · ScotRail
Glasgow Queen Street to Helensburgh Central (electric); West Highland Line via Helensburgh Upper
Frequent services
Check times & book →
From finish (Inveruglas)
Bus · Scottish Citylink
Services 976 (Glasgow–Oban) and 914 / 915 / 916 (Glasgow–Fort William / Skye) stop on the A82 at Inveruglas
Check times & book →Train · ScotRail
Nearest station Arrochar & Tarbet (~3 miles south) on the West Highland Line
Check times & book →
Best months
Accommodation
Hotels at Balloch and Helensburgh. B&Bs at Garelochhead and Arrochar. Easy logistics from Glasgow. Hotels at Balloch and Helensburgh; B&Bs at Garelochhead and Arrochar. Easy logistics from Glasgow via ScotRail. Wild camping in the hills above Glen Douglas.
Resupply
Full shops at Balloch, Helensburgh and Arrochar. Never more than a day from a town. Tesco at Balloch, full shops in Helensburgh, smaller shops in Garelochhead and Arrochar; never more than 20km from a resupply and rail stations connect everywhere.
Connect with
Chain into a longer expedition by combining with adjacent long-distance routes.
Loch Lomond and Cowal Way + Cowal Way
Cowal Way finishes at Inveruglas — same point as Three Lochs Way
Walk west from Inveruglas on the Cowal Way to Portavadie for the Argyll peninsula extension.
Loch Lomond and Cowal Way + West Highland Way
Three Lochs Way meets the WHW near Inveruglas / Loch Lomond
Walk east on the Three Lochs Way to Helensburgh then north on the WHW — combine for an alternative entry to the Highlands.
Current conditions
Weather at the start point (Balloch)
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:31
- Sunset
- 22:07
- Civil dawn
- 03:29
- Civil dusk
- 23:09
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
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Getting to and from the Loch Lomond and Cowal Way
Train and town anchors at each end of the route — on TripSCOT.
Start: Balloch station
South Loch Lomond — WHW start at Drymen / Conic Hill
0km from Balloch
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: Luss
West Loch Lomond village — Highland Boundary, Loch Lomond Way
tripscot.co.uk