Three Lochs Way: Arrochar / Tarbet - Inveruglas

Summary

The final stage of the Three Lochs Way heads from Arrochar - Tarbet station to Inveruglas, further north on the shores of Loch Lomond. Along the way there are terrific views of the Arrochar Alps. Could be done as a day walk with public transport. It also allows links to be made to the Cowal Way or the West Highland Way.

Please read the WARNING below before setting out on this route.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Paths and tracks, tarmac lane to finish, can be very boggy and sometimes flooded at north end Glen Loin.

Getting there

Start

Arrochar - Tarbet Station.

Public Transport

Trains serve Arrochar - Tarbet station, with buses to both Arrochar and Tarbet. Inveruglas is also served by buses as well as a seasonal ferry link across Loch Lomond.

Start Grid Ref

NN311044

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Services

Arrochar has hotels, guest houses and a campsite, as well several places to eat. There are toilets and a bus stop at Inveruglas.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 9.5km / 6 miles
Time: 2.5 - 3 hours
Ascent: 260m (Profile)

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OL39 Loch Lomond North

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Walk Description

User reports (3)

WARNING

As part of SSEN's Sloy-Windyhill Project, a temporary track has been built along Glen Loin - the 3 Lochs Way route itself is not affected but there may be construction noise and the work is unsightly - temporary track should be removed and work completed Sept 2027

The information shown above is the latest we have. If you have an update then please email us.

Stage 1

Pass under the railway line by Tarbet - Arrochar station and follow the path that bears left up into the woods, turning left at a t-junction (signed 'Arrochar Trail'). Go straight across at a track. The path undulates and winds through beech, birch and oak trees. In the 13th century the Vikings took advantage of the low, narrow ground between Arrochar and Tarbet (which in Gaelic means place of portage) to carry their longboats overland and carry out raids on the settlements on Loch Lomond. It must have been terrifying to see one of King Haakon's longboats appearing out of the mist filled with Viking raiders. Now the 2.5km stretch houses the busy A83 linking Glasgow and the east to most of Argyll. In a couple of places on the descent there are views of Arrochar and across to the Cobbler and Beinn Narnain beyond.

Stage 2

At a junction the main path descends to reach the road at Arrochar; turn right following the Three Lochs Way waymarker to head up to a bench. After passing through an area of dense trees and rhododendron a second junction is passes. Here the route of the Cowal Way joins in from Arrochar on the left. The path now heads up the glen on a, sometimes wet, path which keeps to the right of a house and farm buildings. In places there are glimpses of Beinn Narnain and A'Chrois to the left.

Stage 3

The path emerges from the trees and at the end of the flat section of Glen Loin the path crosses a small wooden footbridge and begins to climb the broken slopes, still beneath the pylons. The southern end of Ben Vorlich is visible ahead whilst there is forestry over to each side but the views remain open. Pass the remains of a wooden kissing gate and climb to reach the highest point on this section beside a pylon and some outcropping rocks. The path drops slightly and then keeps left through bracken in summer.

Stage 4

The next section is sometimes flooded, keep on the path if possible (the forestry on the left has many fallen trees making a detour difficult and to the right is very deep bog). The path continues through a section of trees and then emerges near Coiregrogain. After a gate turn right to cross a bridge over the Inveruglas Water. Head up to the road and turn right signed for Inveruglas. The steep mountain visible behind is Ben Vane, with Ben Vorlich over to the right. The left turn up the road is also popular with people completing a circuit of Glen Loin as well as with hillwalkers.

Stage 5

Follow the surfaced road slightly uphill ignoring a track to the right which leads to an electricity substation. Further on ignore a road off on the left and eventually there is a view of Loch Lomond. A short way before the road bends left you can take a, rough, short cut path through the braken on the right which soon rejoins the road which heads under the railway. Go through the gate to emerge at the busy A82. Turn left and follow an off road path. At an entrance driveway turn left past the SSE vehicle barrier and very soon turn right onto the continuation of the off-road path. Join the pavement and pass the large power station at Inveruglas. Cross the road to the big car park at Inveruglas at the end of the trail. From Inveruglas it is possible to take a boat trip to Inversnaid on the other side of Loch Lomond and pick up the West Highland Way, or for those whose journey is over, there buses running along the A82 between Fort William and Glasgow.

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