Walks around Loch Lomond

Half-day walks

These take a morning or an afternoon.

• Conic Hill

  Go for the best view of the loch's islands for the least effort.

  Distance and time 4 km, 2 to 3 hours

• Ben A'an

  A short, steep climb above Loch Katrine in the Trossachs.

• Bracklinn Falls

  A waterfall walk near Callander.

• Loch Ard

  Forest and lochside paths near Aberfoyle.

• Loch Lomond Faerie Trail

  A themed trail near the loch, with its own route page.

• Three Lochs Forest Drive trails

  Three short walks start from the forest drive, near Aberfoyle.

  Shortest trail 1.2 km

Big hill days

Allow most of a day, carry food and layers, and check the forecast first.

• Ben Lomond

  Go for the summit view over the whole loch, and start early.

  Distance and time 12 km, 4.5 to 5.5 hours

• The Cobbler

  A rocky peak above Arrochar, for confident hillwalkers.

• Ben Vorlich

  A hill day in the Arrochar Alps area.

• Ben Ledi

  A big hill above Callander and Loch Lubnaig.

• Ben Venue

  A Trossachs hill above Loch Katrine.

Long-distance paths

Walk a section for a day, or link several.

• West Highland Way

  Follows the loch's eastern side, so a section makes a good day.

• Three Lochs Way

  Links Loch Lomond with Loch Long and the Gare Loch, and can be walked in sections.

• Great Trossachs Path

  A long route through the Trossachs.

Which walk suits you?

Choose by how much of the day you want to give. For a big view for modest effort, take Conic Hill from Balmaha: 4 km with 350 m of ascent in 2 to 3 hours, finishing at a 361 m summit on the Highland Boundary Fault.

For a full day and a Munro, the Ben Lomond tourist path is 12 km with 990 m of ascent, takes 4.5 to 5.5 hours and tops out at 974 m (3,196 ft). It starts at Rowardennan car park, which costs £5 for the day.

If you want something shorter than a hill, three trails start from the Three Lochs Forest Drive car parks: Achray at about 1.2 km, Pine Ridge at 1.5 km and Loch Drunkie at 1.9 km. They suit a morning with children or a rest day between hills.

For a longer commitment, the West Highland Way runs 96 miles from Milngavie to Fort William, with Drymen as a waypoint. You do not need to walk all of it; a single section from a village makes a good day.

Walks near each village

Balmaha is the best-covered base: Conic Hill starts from the village car park, the Inchcailloch ferry leaves from the boatyard, and the island's paths each take 30 to 45 minutes. Red squirrels have been reported in the conifer trees at the start of the Conic Hill walk.

Aberfoyle is the base for the Trossachs forest trails. The Three Lochs Forest Drive entrance is on the A821 Duke's Pass about 2 miles north of the village, and the three short trails start at the drive's car parks. The Riverside car park in the village is free.

Callander sits below Ben Ledi. The Ben Ledi car park, off the A84 near the south end of Loch Lubnaig, charges nothing but can get very busy on summer weekends. The summit has a cairn built in 1887 and an iron cross memorial, and views of Loch Lubnaig, Loch Venachar, Ben Lomond and the Arrochar Alps.

Arrochar is the hillwalkers' base at the head of Loch Long, and golden eagles may be seen over the hills around it, as a chance rather than a promise. Glenloin car park costs £1.20 an hour or £10.30 a day. Drymen is the West Highland Way waypoint, and Rowardennan is the foot of Ben Lomond.

Getting to the start without a car

Conic Hill is the easiest car-free hill. Bus 309 runs from Balloch to Balmaha via Gartocharn and Drymen, and the walk starts at the Balmaha car park.

Ben Lomond needs more planning. Rowardennan has no bus, so the summer waterbus from Tarbet is the car-free option. The crossing takes 30 minutes, runs from Tarbet to Rowardennan on Saturdays and Sundays only, and returns from the youth hostel jetty on Fridays and Saturdays only. Check the days before you commit.

If you drive, parking is the main cost. Balmaha charges £3 for 2 hours, £4 for 4 hours and £5 all day. Rowardennan charges £2 for up to an hour and £5 for the day.

When to walk, and what to check first

Dogs are the main seasonal rule. The enclosed fields on the Conic Hill approach are closed to dog walkers from 1 April to 31 May, and April to July is the ground-nesting season, so keep dogs close on moorland and in forest.

Midges are active from late May to early September, peaking in July and August. The Forest Drive is closed to vehicles over winter, from 4pm on 30 September, but its walking trails stay open. Rowardennan's public toilets open from Easter to October.

Weather decides the big hills. The Glasgow record we use shows October as the wettest month at 124 mm and May as the driest at 63 mm. Check the forecast on the day, carry food and layers on the big hills, and turn back if the weather turns.

More routes sit in the walks in the Trossachs area guide.

Questions people ask