Glencoe Lochan trails

GLENCOE AND KINLOCHLEVEN


Summary :	An easy walk following waymarked trails through ornamental woodland at the foot of Glen Coe. The focal point is an attractive lochan.
Terrain :	Easy waymarked paths.
Grade :		Distance :	2.5km/1.5 miles
Bog Factor :		Time :	1 – 1.5 hours
Start :	Glencoe Lochan car park	Grid ref :	NN104594
Map :	View an OS map of the route Buy Explorer 384 – Glen Coe	Ascent :	100m
GPS Route/ Waypoints :	Open this walk in QUO 2 Tell me more Open this walk in GPX format (compatible with Memory map etc)	Open in Virtual Highlands Tell me more Open this walk in Google Earth Tell me more
Public Transport :	Bus services to Glencoe village; both local buses and Citilink stop here.[Click for timetables - choose Area 3]

1. Park at the Glencoe Lochan car park; to find it, follow the minor road east from the village towards the Clachaig Inn; turn left just after the bridge over the River Coe towards the hospital; the car park is then reached by turning right a short way up this road. It is well signed. The woodland here was planted by Lord Strathcona, in an attempt to make his Canadian wife feel more at home in the Highlands; sadly this failed and the couple later emigrated to Canada. There are three short waymarked trails, and our route combines them all. The blue waymarked 'Mountain Trail' is followed first. Head out of the car park on the main path, immediately turning right to keep to the blue markers. Turn right again to follow the path which climbs steeply uphill. At the top it reaches a picnic table with a view across Loch Leven.

2. The path now descends again, eventually reaching a t-junction beside the lochan. Turn right here, following the trail around the lochan. The lochan is very picturesque, and as the trail passes round the north end there are views across it to the steep peak of the Pap of Glencoe. This lochside path is accessible to wheelchairs and is very popular, with several wooden platforms built out onto the loch for fishing. The loch itself was created artificially as part of Lord Strathcona's estate; it is often known as the 'Hospital Lochan' as the former Glencoe House is now the local Hospital.

3. Continue round the lake, passing several picnic benches; look out for a yellow waymarked path which turns off to the right at one of these. This is the woodland path, and extends the route for a further kilometre or so. It winds between the trees including Douglas Firs and Sequoias. There are various junctions, but keep turning left and following the yellow markers. There are views across to Ballachulish and Beinn a Bheithir.

4. When the path reaches a larger track turn right and then immediately left by the wooden handrail. Pass a water-lilly covered lochan and return to the start just beyond.

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Route profile

Accommodation links for this area:
Kinlochleven and Glencoe Hotels and Inns
Kinlochleven and Glencoe B&B (Bed and Breakfasts)
Self catering cottages in Kinlochleven and Glencoe
Fort William, Lochaber and Glencoe hostels