The Three Lochs Way
The Three Lochs Way is a 34 mile long distance route between Balloch and Inveruglas, with Loch Lomond, The Gareloch and Loch Long as recurrent scenic backdrops.
-
Activity: Walking -
Distance: 57.79 km -
Calculated time: 2 days -
Difficulty: Difficult -
-
Return to departure point: No -
Vertical gain: + 1,213 m -
Vertical drop: - 1,218 m -
-
Highest point: 267 m -
Lowest point: 6 m
-
-
District: Argyll and Bute -
Start: N 56.251694° / W 4.709552° -
End: N 56.003391° / W 4.583095° -
Step by step walk
This walk needs several days, find the details below:
Useful Information
For more information and a walk review, visit Gillian's Walks
The official Three Lochs Way website recommends walking the route in 4 sections, however the route described here is 2 longer sections starting in Inveruglas and ending at Balloch.
Day 1: Inveruglas to Garelochhead
Day 2: Garelochhead to Balloch
Transport
- Car parks: Sloy Power Station, Garelochhead Railway Station, Balloch
- Public transport option: leave a car in Balloch then take the Citylink bus to Sloy Power Station to start the walk from that end and walk back. It is service 916 and picks you up just after the roundabout on A82.
Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.
Other walks in the area
Inveruglas to Garelochhead, The Three Lochs Way
Professional from the tourism industry
28.91 km
+671 m
-644 m
10h 10
Difficult
Departure from Argyll and Bute
This half of The Three Lochs Way is strenuous but the scenery makes it all worthwhile! Loch Long is your companion for the majority of the route and you also get glimpses of Loch Lomond and The Gareloch: the three lochs which give this long distance walk it’s name. This is The Three Lochs Way Day 1.
Ben Vane, Inveruglas
Professional from the tourism industry 
11.64 km
+883 m
-884 m
5h 50
Difficult
Departure from Argyll and Bute
Ben Vane is the smallest of the 282 Munros and it is renowned for its many false summits which lure you into a false sense of achievement! In clear weather you will be rewarded with extensive views across the Arrochar Alps, Loch Sloy, Loch Lomond and far beyond across the peaks of the southern Highlands.
Arrochar Caves Trail - Glen Loin, Loch Long
Walker 
4.78 km
+95 m
-91 m
1h 40
Moderate
Departure from Argyll and Bute
This walk is like a treasure hunt. This walk goes through the woodlands and valley bottom before enjoying a nice waterfall. However, if you do wish to explore the caves (Glen Loin), you will need some balance and awareness.
Amongst the Arrochar Alps at Glen Loin
Professional from the tourism industry 
16.03 km
+671 m
-665 m
6h 30
Difficult
Departure from Argyll and Bute
A challenging high-level loop beneath the Arrochar Alps, beginning and ending at Succoth car park. On a clear day enjoy fantastic close-up views of the surrounding mountains, including The Cobbler, Beinn Narnain and Beinn Ime, returning via Glen Loin.
Beinn Narnain and the Cobbler
Walker 10.92 km
+1,139 m
-1,134 m
6h 20
Difficult
Departure from Argyll and Bute
Touristic walk to Beinn Narnain and the Cobbler. The Cobbler summit has a very distinctive shape and is classified as a Corbett and Marilyn summit. Beinn Narnain is classified as a Munro and Marilyn summit. This is a circular walk starting from Succoth car park. There are some scrambling to reach the summit of Beinn Narnain and the Cobbler.
Riverside walk - Ardgartan forest
Walker 2.35 km
+33 m
-35 m
0h 45
Easy
Departure from Argyll and Bute
Little dog-friendly walk along the Croe Water river starting from the entrance of Ardgartan Forest Holiday park.
From Inverarnan to Bridge of Orchy, West Highland Way
Walker 30.41 km
+545 m
-398 m
8 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Stirling
This 4th section of the West Highland Way (WHW) goes first along Falloch Riverside, then goes through a beautiful forest before going to the bottom of high hills. On this walk, you will encounter many bridges, including two of them that have been damaged during recent floods. Detours have been set and a fording site... quite refreshing.
This long section can be shortened by using public transport on the last part, from Tyndrum to Bridge of Orchy.
For more walks, use our search engine.
The GPS track and description are the property of the author.