Ben Bowie and Gouk Hill, Helensburgh

Summary

Climb to some fine view points by combining the routes of the John Muir Way and Three Lochs Way to loop over Ben Bowie. Locally the hill is known as Ben Bouie, more closely derived from the original Gaelic name of Beinn Buidhe - the yellow hill. This varied circuit takes in Helensburgh's leafy streets and Charles Rennie Mackintosh's Hill House, and a long section of off-road path by the main road. Quieter trails then lead to Gouk Hill and Ben Bowie, before the long descent ends at Helensburgh's seafront.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Roads with pavement (7km), track, hill paths, boggy near Ben Bowie

Getting there

Start

John Muir Way start point near Helensburgh Pier, West Clyde Street.

Public Transport

Buses and trains to Helensburgh.

Start Grid Ref

NS295822

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 16.2km / 10 miles
Time: 4 - 4.5 hours
Ascent: 430m (Profile)

Summits Climbed

Sub 2000: Ben Bowie

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Walk Description

User reports (2)

Stage 1

The walk begins at the start point for the John Muir on the sea front in Helensburgh, by the pier. There is a low circular stone marking the start of the route just west of the public toilets on the grassy front, there is also car parking in front of the leisure centre. Begin by heading up Colquhoun Street which heads uphill opposite the pier. Continue straight ahead until this is blocked by the railway line; at this point turn right then left to cross the railway on the main Sinclair Street, before turning left and then right again onto Upper Colquhoun Street.

Stage 2

Eventually this leads up past the Hill House, now clad in a protective cover - regarded by many as the finest of Charles' Rennie MacIntosh's domestic commissions. Run by the National Trust for Scotland, it is open to the public. Pass the house and head through the parking area to reach a footpath signpost. Go ahead here to reach a path - signed 'John Muir Way' - which passes through the trees, aiming to the right, until it emerges on the main road.

Stage 3

Cross and turn left to pick up the cycle path that runs beside the main A818 road and follow this for around 2km until a waymarked (JMW) track heads to the right, signed for Balloch (the cycle route version of the JMW continues ahead). Go through the gate to follow the track as it climbs gently uphill with good views in places to the left. When the first clear view of Loch Lomond can be seen ahead ignore a track to the left and stay on the main route which bends right and continues climbing.

Stage 4

On a bend in the track the route of the Three Lochs Way to Helensburgh leaves on a signed path to the right - this is the return route. However for now, continue on the track and very soon a red stony path (signed Viewpoint) to the left offers a short detour to a seat and great view over Loch Lomond.

Stage 5

Return to the main track and turn left, very soon branching right at a signed fork. After passing a small pond look out for a small path on the left immediately after the last trees. This path soon becomes clearer and climbs to the summit of Gouk Hill, another fine viewpoint over Loch Lomond.

Stage 6

Return to the track and turn right and keep left at the track junction to return to the bend in the track with the 3-way blue sign. Turn left here onto a path signed for the Three Lochs Way and Helensburgh 6km to soon reach a gateway on the open moorland. The faint and boggy, path to Ben Bowie heads right here on the far side of the fence. Very wet at first, it improves as it passes through a gap in the trees and bears right to head up to climb a fence at a makeshift stile.

Stage 7

From here the ground undulates and the faint path reaches the summit of Ben Bowie, marked with a small cairn. There are great views over Helensburgh and the Clyde. Return over the fence and now continue on a path straight ahead (very boggy in places) which before the ground steepens bears left to return back to the Three Lochs Way path. Turn right on the surfaced path to head downill.

Stage 8

The path desends steeply and heads through mixed woodland. Continue on the main path past a stone wall and and cross the red-earth track (signed Helensburgh) to continue on a path. This descends and enters woodland and soon cross a footbridge. Keep left and follow the path gently downhill soon heading towards a large green metal barn and going through a gateway.

Stage 9

Pass the barn and continue ahead on the road. Turn right onto the surfaced road (signed Helensburgh Centre). Ignore a road on the left, pass the 20 speed sign and ignore the path on the left but take the next left turn past the bollards onto a back road (Drumfork Road) 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 return to Helensburgh Pier.

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