Balloch to Helensburgh

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.

Terrain

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

Public Transport

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

Start

Balloch Visitor Information Centre. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 13.5km / 8.5 miles
Time: 3.5 - 4.5 hours
Ascent: 157m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NS390819

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Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

The Visitor Information Centre in Balloch is just across the road from the rail station. From here head through the car park to the River Leven and follow this to the left along a 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 and alongside a newly felled area. 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. Once notoriously rough and boggy this path was upgraded when the John Muir Way was formed. Once out of the trees continue on the forestry track. This swings west at Gouk Hill, keep left on the main track - there is a signed detour to an excellent viewpoint 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 signed path on the left to reach a gate on the open moorland.

Stage 4

Once through the gate the path leads down over the moorland, offering great views to the Firth of Clyde and Helesnburgh. A fair way further down, next to some mixed woodland, go through a gateway in a stone wall and and cross the red-earth track to continue on a path with some boardwalks keeping the wall to your right. This descends and enters woodland and bears left, the path is sometimes boggy here. Soon a stream is crossed and you turn left onto a track which heads through two gateways and passes to the left of a large metal shed.

Stage 5

Go through the gate and stay on the track which becomes a surfaced road. Keep straight ahead ignoring the road to the left, and pass the 20 speed signs. Ignore the path on the left leading to the large white school building but take the next left turn onto a pedestrianised road (Drumfork Road soon surfaced in red) 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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