walkhighlands

Loch Lomond & Cowal Way Part 1

Date walked: 02/09/2022

Time taken: 3.5 days

Distance: 90km

To avoid carrying a heavy pack, I used Arrochar campsite as a base, travelling by car and bus to start and end destinations of each day. Bus fares are very good value and worth including for the very scenic routes.

Day 1 Drive to Clachan of Glendaruel, bus to Portavadie, walk back to car.
Day 2 Drive to Sandbank (near Dunoon), bus to Clachan of Glendaruel, walk to Strachur, bus back to Sandbank.
Day 3 Drive to Cairndow, bus to Strachur, walk back to campsite at Arrochar. Catch evening bus back to Cairndow to pick car up.
Day 4 Walk to Inveruglas and back (a half day's walk).

Day 1 Bus dropped me off at the ferry point in Portavadie. After overnight rain, it was overcast warm and dry. It's a steady climb back up the lane and along a forest track. The scenery takes a while to get going until reaching a small lochan which is worth a look back to Kintyre Peninsula and the town of Tarbert.
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Small lochan

After passing some castle remains and Asgog Loch, the path goes via a golf course with fine views accross the Kyle of Bute then dropping down to the roadside south of Kamas. A fine lochside walk along a quiet road for about 4 miles all the way past Tighnabruaich.
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Roadside walk

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Western side of Isle of Bute

After Tighnabruaich the road fades into a forest track with occasional views over to Bute before dropping down to a pleasant bay just before Caladh Harbour. This was my main meal break for the day and the jetty landing steps make a fine resting place.
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Lighthouse at Caladh Harbour

Path is easy going until past Glen Caladh Farm where it follows the tide line and signs lead you into the cliff side which is quite overgrown with rhodedendren. Quite rugged, up and down as well as high humidity, so felt a bit like a jungle - I took a rest at a rocky outcrop by the lochside - very tranquil with pleasant view across Loch Ruel
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One final climb through "the jungle" before reaching a view at the top.
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View across Loch Ruel looking to the small island of Eilean Dearg

After this, path reaches a minor road along the loch side and follows the fairly quiet A8003 road for a couple of miles, then a further mile through farmland and a farm road to the quaint village of Clachan of Glendaruel.

Day 2 was a very early pre-dawn start having to drive from Arrochar to Sandbank to catch early bus. Perfectly still weather conditions revealed fabulous mountain reflections along Loch Eck and a glorious sunrise up Holy Loch beside Sandbank. The bus to Glendaruel was a scenic ride too going via Glen Lean and Colintraive. The way starts with a pleasant 5 mile stroll along a very quiet lane in the Glendaruel valley (nice easy start to the day).
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Glendaruel Valley

The remains of the Glendaruel House Estate entrance are passed on the right, then after returning to the main road, the climb starts at Garvie Farmhouse along a farm track.
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Remains of entrance to Glendaruel House

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View back to Garvie Farmhouse and Glendaruel Valley

The farm track eventually joins a forest road near the top of the climb which is followed for about 8 miles all the way to Glenbranter forest park with a fairly steady but steep descent - I ended up running down here in parts.
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After Glenbranter, path follows a quiet lane all the way to Strachur for about 3 miles
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This leg of the Cowal Way was perhaps the easiest stretch in terms of terrain as it was on minor roads or farm/forest tracks, but still very enjoyable especially in the good weather.
Part 2 below
https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=114815

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Loch Lomond & Cowal Way Part 2

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revalation


Activity: Walker

Munros: 6
Long Distance routes: Borders Abbeys Way    St Cuthbert's Way    West Island Way    Loch Lomond and Cowal Way   



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Statistics

2022

Trips: 2
Distance: 180 km

2021

Trips: 1
Distance: 109 km

2020

Trips: 4
Distance: 136.4 km

2018

Trips: 6
Distance: 161 km

2017

Trips: 4
Distance: 109.2 km


Joined: Aug 20, 2014
Last visited: Jan 12, 2024
Total posts: 21 | Search posts