Loch Lomond & Cowal Way

Argyll and Bute

The Cowal Peninsula lies west of Glasgow but within easy reach, offering moorland scenery, deep glens and narrow sea lochs typical of the West Coast. The Loch Lomond & Cowal Way, now one of the family of Scotland's Great Trails, crosses the Cowal Peninsula from south-west to north-east, beginning at Portavadie, Loch Fyne and heading via Loch Goil and Loch Long to the west shore of Loch Lomond at Inveruglas. En route, it passes below The Cobbler, which can be climbed as an excursion, and links the villages of Tighnabruaich, Glendaruel, Strachur, Lochgoilhead and Arrochar.

After Tighnabruaich it passes alongside the Kyles of Bute to follow the shore of Loch Riddon (Ruel), continuing north with the River Ruel through Glendaruel, then through Strath nan Lub to Glenbranter and Strachur. From Strachur it heads east between Beinn Lochan and Beinn Bheula to Lochgoilhead, after which it continues east between Cnoc Coinnich and The Brack before descending to Ardgartan and Arrochar.

It runs through remote and rugged countryside, with fine views over Bute and the Firth of Clyde, with a mixture of lochside and woodland walking, rough paths and some quiet roads. Cowal is rich in history, heritage and interesting wildlife. Ferry links to the Kintyre Way and a seasonal Loch Lomond ferry link to the West Highland Way as there are ferries across from Inversnaid to Inveruglas, and thence to the Great Glen Way, open up a walk from the Mull of Kintyre all the way to Inverness.

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Details:

Path Type:	Scotland's Great Trails
Waymark:	Peninsulas graphic and path name
Attributes:	Scotland's Great Trails Challenging Forest/Woodland Lake/Reservoir/Loch Moorland River Heritage
Start:	NR929698 - Portavadie, Argyll and Bute
Finish:	NN322099 - Inveruglas, Argyll and Bute
Open Date:	2003
Web Sites:	Loch Lomond & Cowal Way Scotland's Great Trails - Loch Lomond & Cowal Way Loch Lomond & The Trossachs NP - Loch Lomond & Cowal Way Walk Highlands - Scotland's Long Distance Walking Routes

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Publications, Badges and Certificates:

Guidebook

Loch Lomond & Cowal Way with Isle of Bute  (Rucksack Readers  - 2019 )

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