Balloch to Helensburgh

This walk from Balloch to Helensburgh should take between three and half and four and half hours to complete. It is a route with a steep uphill walk that will take you through forests, open countryside, moorland and some boggy areas. However, although the hills mean it isn’t an easy walk, it is still good for beginners and the less experienced.

Balloch is a pretty town on the banks of Loch Lomond. It is a popular tourist spot, especially due to its proximity to Glasgow, which is only 17 miles (27km) away. You can visit Balloch Castle, the park, or take a boat trip on the loch.
The walk begins at the Balloch Visitors Information Centre, through the car park on along the banks of the River Leven. When you reach the Loch Lomond Shores shopping complex, bear left away from the River and into a country lane. Take a left at the T junction and after a right turn you will find yourself on a track, cross the footbridge and you begin the climb up Stoneymollan Road, which is an old Coffin Road, it is one of many in Scotland and they are called this because it was the route taken by the coffin bearers up to the nearest burial ground, in this case, St. Mahews Chapel. At the top of the road, you can stop to rest and admire the wonderful view of Loch Lomond and Ben Lomand.
Keep walking through the open country until you reach the woods, passing through here can be a bit tricky at times, because there is no path and a there are a few ditches. Once you have passed through the woods there’s a gate that leads to a path on the moors and you can see Helensburgh and the Firth of Clyde.
When you reach the farm gate, pass through it and walk through some woods, pass through two more gates and on to a farmland track. Pass a farm building and when you reach the surfaced road, bear right. Take the Drumfork Road turning on the left and walk along to Cardcross Road, which is on the way in to Helensburgh, but it is not waymarked. After that, turn right and you will end up in the town centre.
Helensburgh is a pleasant town on the banks of the Firth of Clyde and the Gareloch. Visit Hill House which was built by the famous Scottish architect, Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Geilstan Garden at Cardcross.