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.

Technical sheet

n°27087048
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
–
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 57.79 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2 days 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: No
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 1,254 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 1,260 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 268 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 6 m

Photos

Viewpoint
View down to Loch Long

Step by step walk

This route needs several days, find the details below:

  1. S
    Inveruglas to Garelochhead, The Three Lochs Way

    Inveruglas to Garelochhead, The Three Lochs Way

    ↔28.91 km ↗731 m ↘705 m
    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.
    See walk sheet
  2. E
    Garelochhead to Balloch, The Three Lochs Way

    Garelochhead to Balloch, The Three Lochs Way

    ↔28.71 km ↗523 m ↘533 m
    This part of The Three Lochs Way is much flatter than the first half and definitely the easier of the two days. It passes through the pretty town of Helensburgh. Despite the walk’s name, you leave the lochs behind for much of the way, meeting back up with Loch Lomond in the final stages. This is The Three Lochs Way Day 2.
    See walk sheet

Practical 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

Walking Inveruglas to Garelochhead, The Three Lochs Way

Tourism industry professional
Inveruglas to Garelochhead, The Three Lochs Way
↔28.91 km ↗+731 m ↘-705 m ◔10h 20 ▲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.

Walking Ben Vane, Inveruglas

Tourism industry professional
Ben Vane, Inveruglas
↔11.64 km ↗+893 m ↘-893 m ◔5h 55 ▲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.

Walking Arrochar Caves Trail - Glen Loin, Loch Long

Association or club
Arrochar Caves Trail - Glen Loin, Loch Long
↔4.78 km ↗+123 m ↘-116 m ◔1h 45 ▲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.

Walking Amongst the Arrochar Alps at Glen Loin

Tourism industry professional
Amongst the Arrochar Alps at Glen Loin
↔16.03 km ↗+681 m ↘-675 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.

Walking Beinn Narnain and the Cobbler

Walker
↔10.92 km ↗+1,163 m ↘-1,159 m ◔6h 25 ▲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.

Walking Riverside - Ardgartan forest

Walker
↔2.35 km ↗+30 m ↘-32 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.

Walking The West Highland Way - Stage Three (Inverarnan to Bridge of Orchy)

Association or club
↔29.55 km ↗+558 m ↘-415 m ◔10h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Stirling
The West Highland Way is the most established of Scotland’s long distance walking routes. This is the third of a five stage route, staying at prebooked accomodation along the way.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of the author. Do not copy them without permission.