Helensburgh to Garelochhead

The second stage of the Three Lochs Way links Helensburgh at the entrance to Gare Loch with Garelochhead at its northern end. The stage as described ends on a minor road which can be taken down into Garelochead (5km) which has a rail station. There is also a rougher, shorter alternative - see final paragraph.

Terrain

Very boggy on the initial woodland section, then good tracks, a section of grassy field path and minor roads.

Public Transport

Trains and buses serve both Helensburgh and Garelochhead (5km from end of the stage).

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Start

Helensburgh Upper Station. Map and directions.

grade
Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 11km/6.75 miles
Time: 2.5 - 3 hours
Ascent: 245m (Profile)
Grid Ref: NS299833

Maps / GPS

View / Print route map
Buy Explorer 347 - Loch Lomond South
GPS Waypoints - QUO 2
GPS Waypoints - GPX
View in 3D
Download walk to Google Earth (KMZ file)

Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

If starting from Helensburgh Upper Station, head east to the main road - Sinclair Street - and turn left along it, then fourth left onto Kennedy Drive and finally right onto Upper Colquhoun Street to reach Hill House, the finest of Charles Rennie Mackintosh's residential creations. Now owned by the National Trust for Scotland, it has a stunning interior packed with original Mackintosh items. Head through the car park and then turn left following the signs for Rhu Marina. The route crosses several small footbridges and enjoys views over the Firth of Clyde to Greenock with the hills of Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park beyond. The path continues through the pleasant woodland for another 1km. Keep an eye out for the waymarkers so as not to miss the right turn at NS292844 onto a grassy path immediately alongside the woodland which emerges at a stile.

Stage 2

Cross the stile to enter the open hillside - the ground underfoot is potentially boggy here, but soon joins with a nicely constructed track at a marker post in the middle of the field. This track transports you quickly down towards Glen Fruin, through a gate and onto a minor road. Turn left and follow this road over Fruin Water to emerge on slightly-less-minor road. Turn left.

Stage 3

This road runs for around 6km before reaching Strone House, with attendant muster of peacocks heralding your approach for quite some distance. Watch for the hens in the surrounding trees, and the cocks on the roof of the house. The road begins to ascend, affording lengthy views back down the glen. Shortly after the house an inscribed boulder commemorates the Battle of Glen Fruin, where the MacGregors defeated the Colquhouns in 1603. After another 500m the end of this section is reached at the southern terminus of the Yankee Road, built by the American army in World War II and leading into the MOD training area, resplendent with warning signs and flags. If you are continuing onto the next stage to Arrochar, the route heads into the training area - perfectly acceptable under an access agreement with the MOD. It might be wise to check for firing activity with the MOD Police on 01436 850361, in case a detour along the A814/817 is required.

Stage 4

If ending your walk at accommodation at Garelochhead, it is best to arrange to be picked up by your guest house at this point, and dropped off again in the morning. Otherwise, you still face a further 5km detour walk to reach the rail station; for this continue down the minor road, eventually passing under the railway and emerging on the B872 near Faslane - controversial home of Britain's nuclear weapons. Turn right (care - busy traffic) and then straight ahead at the roundabout to continue into Garelochhead. The rail station is signed up to the right in the village. Alternatively there is an informal route leading directly down to the roundabout where the A817 and A814 meet from where a surfaced cycle path leads to Garelochhead. This path, which is temporarily waymarked in red and white tape is steep and rough and climbs a fence at the start - to reach it continue along the Yankee Road for 2km keeping an eye out for the start of the route on the right which heads downhill for approximately 1km to the roundabout, cross the A814 to pick up the cycle track. There are plans to improve this section in the future and any improvements will be added to the route description as soon as possible.

Route: Phil Turner

Next stage: Garelochhead to Arrochar

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Route Profile

Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is each walkers' responsibility to check it and navigate using a map and compass.