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.
Bog Factor
Woodland paths, roads (some with no pavement).
The Hill House, Helensburgh.
Bus and train to Helensburgh.
NS299837
The Hill House, designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and managed by the National Trust for Scotland, is set high on one of Helensburgh's leafy streets, Upper Colquhoun Street; there is a car park behind it. Since 2019 it has been enclosed in a massive semi-transparent steel frame to protect it. To reach it from the centre of town, take the B832 Sinclair Street and turn along Kennedy Drive. Start the walk up the path from the top of the car park, turning left onto a path signed for Rhu.
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 continuing ahead. At the next path junction keep straight ahead, signed for Rhu Marina. When a burn is reached stay on the main path which curves to the right, then bear right to continue uphill. A little further on, visible to the left of the path is the Drumfad stone, an ancient cup and ring marked rock. Further on along the main path bear left - signed for Rhu once more.
The path continues straight ahead through the forest for around 1km, ignoring any paths off. After leaving the trees at a gate keep ahead as a track joins from the right. 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, then again turn left.
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. To continue the walk, 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.
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 (Kathleen Park) to reach the car park for Duchess Woods.
Take the path through the gate on the left side of the car park, passing the info boards. At it reaches an open space fork right to stay on the main path. Fork right again after 150m, following a well-made path which passes a bench and crosses a footbridge. After the footbridge turn left to cut the corner, then left again. The path climbs through the trees, passes a bench and forks - take the main right branch (with a fence on your left). At a signposted junction turn right - signed for Hill House and Highlandman's Way. The path soon descends steps to cross a footbridge, then climbs on the far side, emerging on a track.
Turn left up the track, passing under the railway. Ignore a track off left, and then the track swings left leave it and take the path ahead into the trees. This soon runs alongside a wall and gives great views over Helensburgh. The constructed path swings left as a burn is reached, crossing it to a junction reached earlier in the walk. Turn right here to rejoin the outward route and retrace your steps back to the Hill House.
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