THE COWAL WAY
The Cowal Way runs for around 90 kilometres along the length of the Cowal peninsula. It begins at Portavadie in the southwest, where the ferry runs from Tarbert in Kintyre, and includes forests, waterfalls, the shore of sea-lochs and hill-passes along the way to end at Inveruglas on the shores of Loch Lomond. It passes through rugged countryside rich in wildlife. From Inveruglas a ferry across the loch enables a link with the West Highland Way, so with the possible link to the Kintyre Way via the Portavadie Ferry, the Cowal Way could be one link in an epic walk through Scotland. Another option is to link from Arrochar with the Three Lochs Way which leads to Balloch.
The route was devised by Jim McLuckie of Glendaruel and Colintraive Community Council.
THE CHALLENGE
The Cowal Way is mostly waymarked but still requires navigational skills. Some sections of the route are very boggy underfoot, and others are rough - exceptionally so on the second stage - or cross exposed ground and hill passes.
| Stage descriptions | Length | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1: Portavadie to Tighnabruaich | 10.5km | 3 - 4 hours |
| Stage 2: Tighnabruaich to Clachan | 14.5km | 4.5 - 5 hours |
| Stage 3: Glendaruel | 9.25km | 2.5 - 3.5 hours |
| Stage 4: Glendaruel to Strachur | 19km | 4 - 5 hours |
| Stage 5: Strachur to Lochgoilhead | 14.5km | 4 - 5.5 hours |
| Stage 6: Lochgoilhead to Arrochar | 14.5km | 4.5 - 5.5 hours |
| Stage 7: Arrochar to Inveruglas | 7.75km | 2.5 hours |
ACCOMMODATION AND SERVICES ALONG THE WAY
Portavadie at the start of the way has a marina with accommodation opening for 2011.
Tighnabruaich and neighbouring Kames offer a good choice of Hotel and bed and breakfast accommodation. Tighnabruaich also has a shop.
The hotel at Clachan of Glendaruel has been closed for several years. There is a campsite and a bed and breakfast establishment further along the way up the glen.
Strachur has Hotel and bed and breakfast accommodation, as does Lochgoilhead at the end of the following stage. Both villages have shops selling supplies.
There are campsites at Ardgartan, and again a choice of hotels and B&B at Arrochar. Arrochar also has a shop and takeaway.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
There is a bus service from Dunoon that serves Tighnabruaich and Portavadie, also with infrequent links to Glendaruel. Dunoon itself can be reached via ferries across the Firth of Clyde, linking with trains and buses to Glasgow.
Strachur has bus links to Dunoon, Inveraray and to Lochgoilhead.
Arrochar shares a rail station with nearby Tarbet on Loch Lomond, and is also reached by bus.
Finally, Inveruglas at the end of the way is on the Citylink bus routes between Glasgow, Fort William and points north.
Timetables for all the routes can be found on Traveline Scotland.
The following users have walked the Cowal Way:
Paul Webster helenw rucsacs tomcowley Ben Hill jeffers171156 brucie Stainless
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