One of Scotland's Great Trails
A fascinating walking route linking coastal communities fringing Scotland's first national park
The Three Lochs Way crosses the Highland Boundary Fault and heads towards the mountains of the Southern Highlands. With Loch Lomond, The Gareloch and Loch Long as recurrent scenic backdrops, the route takes you on a fascinating journey through place and time as it links a necklace of communities strung along the Clyde Sea Lochs fringe of Scotland's first national park.
Rarely rising above 250 metres, the route's 55 kilometres (34 miles) can easily be walked in 3 to 4 days and with the West Highland railway line never far away, it also offers plenty of options for shorter day walks.
threelochsway.co.uk
Route
Balloch Tourism Information Office to The Hill House in Helensburgh: 14.5km, 9 miles; ascent about 400m.
Utilising existing minor roads, a historic right of way, forest roads, footpaths and informal trods, this section crosses the Killoeter/Ben Bouie upland between Balloch and Helensburgh. The route gives excellent views over Loch Lomond, Helensburgh and the Firth of Clyde.
Those cycling will find a continuous cycle path beside the A82 and A818 linking Balloch and Helensburgh. The dedicated mountain biker will of course think nothing of tackling the upland route as described - there are some brilliant descents - just be prepared to do a bit of pushing to get up the steep bits!
The Hill House in Helensburgh to the MOD Training Area at Garelochhhead: 10.5km, 6.5 miles; ascent about 200m.
The southern part of the Highlandman's Road has been improved recently and in general this is an easy walk, with a substantial mid section on the quiet minor road through the gently scenic Glen Fruin.
NOTES
Cows like to hang around on the Highlandman's Road and great care should be taken here in spring and early summer as they can be very protective of their young calves. Dogs should be kept on a lead over this section.
From Garelochhhead to Arrochar and Tarbet: 20.5km, 12.7 miles; ascent about 490m.
The southern two thirds of this section takes you through the Garelochhead military training area, initially on the lightly used tarmac "American Road" and then almost entirely on remote forestry roads and landrover tracks. A short more or less trackless section exists in the middle and you may have to splash across the burn at Tighness. North of Glen Douglas the scenery is outstanding .
NOTES
"The American Road" services the southern part of the Ministry of Defence's Garelochhead Training Area, which extends from around Strone House in the south to Creagan Sithe in the north. You are welcome to walk through, but do please note that the area is used fairly intensively, so don't be surprised if you meet up with the young trainee soldiers carrying their huge packs and fully kitted out for battle. They will probably be too busy to take much notice of you, but a friendly word of thanks and encouragement costs nothing and will be greatly appreciated.
Very occasionally the MOD may require to close the training area and prior to walking this section you may wish to check with the training area management. The number to ring is 01436 810369. If the training area is closed, the best alternative route is along the A814 which is very scenic in its own right and generally carries only light traffic. The Three Lochs Way route can then be regained by turning onto the Glen Douglas road at grid ref. 265996. Click here to see MOD web page on safety and access in Military Training Areas.
THE SMALL TIMBER SHELTERS WHICH HAVE BEEN PROVIDED THROUGHOUT THE TRAINING AREA ARE STRICTLY FOR THE USE OF MILITARY PERSONNEL AND UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU AIM TO SPEND THE NIGHT THERE.
A higher, unwaymarked, but more scenic alternative loop exists via Tom Buidhe along the forestry road between 247942 and 258964 where the Gurkha Bato starts.
Arrochar and Tarbet have lots of options for accommodation and there is a Visitor Information Centre in Tarbet at grid ref. 318045. Cruise Loch Lomond ferries at Tarbet give access to the West Highland Way at Inversnaid while The Cowal Way can be accessed at Arrochar.
From Tarbet Station to Inveruglas Car Park: 9.5km, 6 miles Ascent about 411m.
This comparatively short section utilises good paths, tracks and the Sloy Hydro road and gives an easy and attractively scenic finish to your Three Lochs Way experience.
NOTES
As there is no accommodation at Inveruglas, your options here include the City Link bus north or south on the A82 (City Link Timetable). At Tarbet there is plenty of accommodation and for onward travel you can also access the West Highland Railway line.