Sallochy Forest Trail, Sallochy

Summary

Sallochy is a beautiful place on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. This walk follows waymarked paths into the stunning oakwoods, visiting an abandoned settlement and a fine viewpoint over the loch from a prominent crag.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Waymarked forest paths and tracks; slightly muddy in places

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

Sallochy Forestry and Land Scotland car park, east Loch Lomond; this is now closed in summer (1st March - 31st October). There is no public transport, so in summer months you would either need to be staying on the campsite, or using the car parks at either Rowardennan or Balmaha and using the West Highland Way to reach the start. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 3.75km / 2.25 miles
Time: 1.5 hours
Ascent: 164m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NS379958

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Walk Description

User reports (1)

Stage 1

Begin the walk from the winter car park at Sallochy (charge), between Balmaha and Rowardennan; the car park is closed in summer (1st March - 31st October). Leave the car park via the entrance and follow the marked path that begins on the opposite side of the road. At the first junction keep to the right, following the red waymarkers.

Stage 2

The path passes through the woods before reaching some old ruins. This is Wester Sallochy, the site of an abandoned settlement - the ruins of the remaining houses are still clear to see. The trail now bends to the left before emerging on a forest track.

Stage 3

Turn left along the track. At the next junction keep to the right on the main track (ignoring the overgrown track ahead) Further on there's a junction where a steeply descending waymarked path goes off left. This is used for the descent, but first continue along the track. The objective is the top of the crag - Dùn Maoil - seen over to the right.

Stage 4

Continue on the track as it eventually bends round to the right. Look out for a marker post which indicates where to turn off on the right to head for the top of the crag. The going is a little muddy but the view over the loch from the end of the path is simply sublime.

Stage 5

Retrace your steps back to the track and down to where the waymarked path heads down off to the right. Turn right down this path, winding through the woods. At one point it turns right, but soon swings left again, passing through picturesque oakwoods. Eventually the path nears a burn and bears right. Further on the path crosses a footbridge.

Stage 6

Soon the path rejoins the outward route; turn right to return downhill to soon reach the road and Sallochy car park.

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