Three Lochs Way: Balloch to Helensburgh

Summary

The Three Lochs Way links Loch Lomond, Gare Loch and Loch Long and was developed by the Helensburgh and District Access Trust. This first section joins Balloch at the southern end of Loch Lomond with the leafy town of Helensburgh and shares much of the route with the John Muir Way. The route climbs steeply with good views before heading up through forestry and descending over moorland with sea views.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Paths, minor road, open moorland, main road with pavement.

Getting there

Start

Balloch rail station.

Public Transport

Trains or buses serve both Balloch and Helensburgh (use Helensburgh Upper Station).

Start Grid Ref

NS390819

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Services

Helensburgh and Balloch are both towns with plenty of facilities.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 12.8km / 8 miles
Time: 3.5 - 4.5 hours
Ascent: 330m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (21)

Stage 1

The walk starts on the opposite side of the road from Balloch rail station. Don't immediately head down towards the River Leven but go through the car park to pick up the riverside path. Note the distinctive logo of the Three Lochs Way circular waymarkers on the post here. Keep on the surfaced path closest to the river passing the mixture of cruisers and sail boats moored here. When the path emerges at a road go straight across and bear left to pass through the Loch Lomond Shores retail and cafe complex with toilets near the front entrance. Follow the walkway to the right of the car park as you walk away from the loch to reach a leafy lane at a T-Junction. Turn left for a short distance before turning right signposted Cardross and Stoneymollan Road.

Stage 2

Follow the track and then bear right to cross the footbridge over the A82 and bear right again to head up the steep road. After a gate follow the line of trees. This is the route of an old coffin road used to carry the dead to consecrated ground to be buried. From the high point there is a superb view over Loch Lomond towards Ben Lomond. Just before the gate there is a large stone on the right, this may be where a stone cross once stood and where the coffin bearer's rested. Go through the gate. At a signed cross roads turn right and keep on this track until a T-junction, turn right here.

Stage 3

Continue as the path bends left alongside a stone wall and aims for the steep escarpment ahead. Follow the zig zag path as it climbs the slope and then heads more steeply uphill on a wider path. When this swings west at Gouk Hill keep on the main track passing a small pool. Soon there is a signed detour to an excellent viewpoint and bench up on the right. As the track swings sharply to the right, leave it (and the John Muir Way which continues on the track) for a path (signed Helensburgh 6km) on the left to soon reach a gateway on the open moorland.

Stage 4

Continue ahead here (the faint, boggy path on the right leads up to Ben Bowie which could be included for more views). However the Three Lochs Way continues on the good path down over the moorland, offering great views to the Firth of Clyde and Helensburgh. The path desends steeply and heads through mixed woodland. Continue on the main path past a stone wall and and cross the red-earth track (signed Helensburgh) to continue on a path. This descends and enters woodland and soon cross a footbridge. Keep left and follow the path gently downhill soon heading towards a large green metal barn and going through a gateway.

Stage 5

Pass the barn and continue ahead on the road. Turn right onto the surfaced road (signed Helensburgh Centre). Ignore a road on the left, pass the 20 speed sign and ignore the path on the left but take the next left turn past the bollards onto a back road (Drumfork Road) to head down the back of houses to reach Cardross Road, the A814. This is the main route into Helensburgh and is only occasionally waymarked for the Three Lochs Way. Turn right and follow the road into the town centre, crossing a number of side roads and going under the railway to eventually reach the centre of Helensburgh where there is accommodation and all facilities as well as train and bus links.

Stage 6

Helensburgh is a leafy town built as a resort for nearby Glasgow in the age of paddle steamers. The residential streets boast an impressive collection of large villas of various architectural styles but the main draw is The Hill House, designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, near the start of the next stage. To end stage one, turn right up Colquhoun Street until the railway line blocks the route. Turn right here and then left on the main Sinclair Street. Helensburgh Upper railway Station is here; the next stage starts by turning left onto Munro Drive and then right onto Upper Colquhoun Street. When the railway blocks the route ahead, turn right to Sinclair St and then left to reach the entrance to the station.

Next stage: Helensburgh to Garelochhead

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