Tom na h-Airidh, Helensburgh

Summary

Climb through oak woodland and forestry plantations - battling the mud and trees - to reach the summit of Tom na h-Airidh. The reward is the magnificent views over Helensburgh, the Firth of Clyde, the Gare Loch, the Luss Hills and the Arrochar Alps.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Woodland and moorland paths; the route is very muddy and can be hard to follow on the forest section.

Getting there

Start

Duchess Wood car park, Helensburgh.

Public Transport

Bus and train to Helensburgh.

Start Grid Ref

NS284833

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 8km / 5 miles
Time: 2 - 3 hours
Ascent: 340m (Profile)

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OL38 Loch Lomond South

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Walk Description

User reports (6)

Stage 1

The walk begins from the Duchess Wood car park, reached up Kathleen Park off Rhu Road Higher in Helenburgh. Start by taking 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).

Stage 2

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.

Stage 3

The constructed path swings left as a burn is reached, crossing it to a junction - turn left here. The path continues uphill - on the left is the Drumfad stone - a giant split boulder with cup and ring markings from the Bronze Age, with graffiti from later centuries. At a signed junction a short distance beyond leave the constructed paths and instead take a rougher path straight ahead into the trees.

Stage 4

The path runs along the right side of a drystone wall, before crossing it at a gap. It then comes alongside a burn and continues uphill beside this. When a forestry track is reached turn right along this, and follow the track when it bends sharp left. After 600m from the bend a junction is reached - turn right here. The forestry track then ends and the route continues as a very boggy path along an old fire break. After 150m of this look out for some rocks on the left - these help mark the start of a path that climbs directly up between the trees.

Stage 5

The path emerges from the trees onto open boggy moorland. Continue ahead, and keep left when another wet path (used for the descent) joins in from the right. Soon the summit of Tom na h-Airidh is reached. From here there are stunning views in all directions. On a clear day the peaks of Arran can be made out and the settlements on the Firth of Clyde and Gare Loch. Turning inland the Fruin Hills are backed by the Arrochar Alps.

Stage 6

Retrace your steps for 100m, then take the left hand path at the fork. This continues - extremely boggy in parts - eventually reaching a point where a fence meets the top corner of the forestry. Go through the sliding wooden gate in the stone wall, and follow the faint grassy path beyond, with glorious views over Helensburgh ahead. The going is improved briefly, but there are a few more boggy sections; aim for the corner of the Drumfad Wood plantations.

Stage 7

The route now follows the fence downhill along the left edge of the plantation; it is less boggy if you use the covered wire to cross to use the other side of the fence at the corner. At the bottom of this stretch the well-made path of the Three Lochs Way is reached; turn right along this. Eventually the path leads down to a signposted junction; turn right here, signed for Rhu. The path swings right to reach a junction by the burn crossing used earlier in the walk - turn left here and then retrace the outward route to return to the start.

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