The sixth section of the Cowal Way includes the highest climb on the route, crossing the empty bealach between Lochgoilhead and Ardgarten. There are good views and something of a wilderness feel on the highest section.
Summary
Forest tracks for much of the way, with a steep ascent on a rough path in the forest. The highest section of the route has only a very faint and boggy path - wooden posts mark part of this section.
Terrain
NN199013
Grid ref
14.5km/9 miles
Distance
Grade
Safety warning: Hillwalking when there is snow or ice lying requires ice-axe, crampons and the ability to use them. Some featured routes can become technical ice climbs. Check out our Winter Skills information provided by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland.
Start
Maps
Users'
rating
1. The walk begins from the large waterfront car park in Lochgoilhead. Begin by crossing the road near the entrance to the car park and heading up the lane signposted for the public toilets. Pass these; the lane leads only to some houses but a good clear path continues the route. Go through a gate and turn right on a small track. Just before the track crosses a wooden bridge (with a sign for the Duke's Pass), turn left on a path that cuts up to another track just above. Go through the gate but then cross the track and continue uphill now on the other side of the fence.
2. This section of the route is waymarked with red-banded marker points. Almost immediately it leads up to yet another track at a kissing gate; turn left along this track. There are good views back down to Lochgoilhead. The track leads pleasantly uphill along the edge of the forest, with many deciduous trees as well as the conifers. Further on the track ends at a gate; cross the stile to head into the plantations on a good path. This continues through the trees, with glimpses of some small waterfalls over to the left. Just beyond the path crosses a footbridge over the Allt Airigh na Creige. On the far side, take the path that bears right, climbing steeply uphill (the left-hand path is used on the Glen Donich loop). The path winds uphill to reach a signpost; turn right here up a grassy gap in the trees (marked Cowal Way on the post). From this point the going underfoot becomes rougher, and boggy in places. Keep on steeply uphill; as you climb, a small burn flows down the centre of the cleared gap whilst the muddy path keeps to its right. Ignore a gap in the trees on the right, continuing straight up.
3. As the trees are finally left behind the path bears slightly right - look out for the wooden posts which mark the way - to reach a stile in the upper forest fence. Cross this and on the far side continuing ascending, half-left up the slope - there are more wooden posts to mark the way as the path becomes very faint on this section. The mountain in view over to the left is Ben Donich; continue to gain height away from the trees as the treeline leads towards a different bealach or pass. Eventually The Brack comes into view slightly to the left of the route, with a tiny lochan visible on the bealach. Continue past more marker posts which lead above the right hand side of the bealach before descending to the cairn marking the true bealach, just to the right of the lochan.
4. From the cairn the path heads steeply downhill for a few steps and then disappears. Keep to the right the beginnings of a burn, and a little further down, the fence. As the conifers are approached aim slightly to the right to reach a stile. Cross this; from here a good path descends first through the trees and then through a felled area. Further down the path crosses two wooden footbridges and keeps below the forestry track for a while before joining it (looking back, the route is signed for Lochgoilhead 6km by the hill). Continue straight down the track; when it forks, take the main right hand branch.
5. There are views to Doune Hill on the far side of Loch Long; the little satellite peak of Cruach an t-Sidhein is prominent. Keep straight ahead on the main track after it crosses a small bridge; the branch here is part of a cycle route. Looking back, The Brack looks very fine. Continue down the track to reach a t-junction; turn left here. Further on another cycle route joins in from the right and the track becomes a surfaced minor road. Continue along the road for two and a half kilometres, with good views of the steep South Peak of The Cobbler in the later stages. The road leads to the Ardgartan Visitor Centre. This was once the end of the Cowal Way, but the route has now been extended.
6. The stage continues to Arrochar but the road is very busy with fast traffic so instead a new route has been provided through the forest above; it is waymarked with yellow markers. Head to the right to the far end of the picnic area where a wooden chicane emphasises the care needed to cross the busy road. Follow the trail on the far side; it swings left at first before curving back to the right, climbing all the time until it reaches a forestry track. Continue along the forest track, ignoring paths off to the sides until a bench. From here follow the broad, engineered path which heads downhill in a rather annoyingly wide series of zig-zags. This reaches Arrochar at the Succoth Car park. Turn left and follow the main road round the back of the bay to reach the village.
Next stage: Arrochar to Inveruglas
Have you found an error or is any information wrong or missing?
Please let us know by using the error report form.
