Helensburgh and Rhu explorer, Helensburgh

This is a lovely route linking Mackintosh's Hill House in leafy Helensburgh with Glenarn Gardens and Rhu Marina via a high path with great views and a woodland nature reserve.

Terrain

Woodland paths, roads (some with no pavement).

Public Transport

Bus and train to Helensburgh

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Start

The Hill House, Helensburgh. Map and directions.

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Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 8.25km/5 miles
Time: 2 - 2.5 hours
Ascent: 204m (Profile)
Grid Ref: NS299837

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

The Hill House, designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and managed by the National Trust for Scotland, is situated high up on one of Helensburgh's leafy streets, Upper Colquhoun Street. It is signed from the centre of town, take the B832 Sinclair Street and turn along Kennedy Drive. There is a dedicated car park for the Hill House but if you are not visiting the property there is usually on street parking nearby. Note that the car park is closed in the evenings and during the winter. Start the walk by heading up through the car park and bearing left onto a path signed Rhu Marina.

Stage 2

Follow the path as it meanders through birches and oaks, crossing a couple of burns on bridges and then more open ground with gorse before heading through a kissing gate and continuing ahead. At the next path junction keep straight ahead following the sign for Rhu Marina. Cross a burn and head uphill keeping to the main path to reach a wider track known as the Highlandman's Road which is an ancient toll road. Turn left here following the Rhu Marina sign. Further on keep straight ahead ignoring a track heading back up to the right.

Stage 3

After a gate the route passing through grazing land where dogs should be kept on leads. There are fine views over the water with Greenock, Gourock and the Rosneath peninsula prominent. Go through a set of double gates and follow the lane downhill passing a house on the left. Keep straight ahead downhill on Station Road until it reaches Pier Road at a T junction, turn left here and continue until Glenarn Road where you turn left.

Stage 4

At the end of the short road Glenarn Gardens can be visited during the summer (admission charge). Famous for its collection of rhododendrons it is particularly beautiful in the spring and is well worth a visit. From the entrance to Glenarn take the signed path opposite onto Lovers Lane. Continue along Torwoodhill Lane for a short while keeping an eye out for a green right of way sign pointing to the path on the right, take this to head downhill. Keep straight on at the surfaced road and follow Armadale Road down to the A814. Cross the road and turn left passing the naval base.

Stage 5

From here there is a good view across the bay to the pine trees of Kidston Park, however this route heads away from the water before the sailing club is reached. Cross back over the road and turn left onto Rhu Road Higher at the striking sandstone lodge house. Follow the road until a recreation field on the left and take the road on the left here (signed Access to Kathleen Park) to reach the car park for Duchess Woods.

Stage 6

Follow the path signed for The Hill House, keeping left after the gate to pass a playing field, keep right at the next junction to pass the remains of an old railway carriage and cross a bridge. Keep straight ahead ignoring the path to the left until a clear junction where you turn left and very soon left again opposite a seat. Keep right at the wooden fencing to head uphill until you take a path on the left opposite a board about the 3D Wood. This soon heads down to a bridge and up steps to emerge on Paterson Drive. Turn left to pass under the railway and follow the track uphill.

Stage 7

When the track bends left head onto a clear path straight ahead through the woods, this soon reaches a stone wall where there is a good view over Helensburgh. Follow this until the junction passed earlier is reached. Turn right here signed for The Hill House to retrace the outward route back to the start.

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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.