Longer Guided Walks

Organised by Lomond Guides

Free bus supplied by Helensburgh Lions Club

All walks are free and always end with a free cuppa! (Ferry, bus fares or garden entry fees apply to some walks.)

Walk ratings
Easy walks. Up to 10 km involving less than 150 metres of ascent and utilising minor roads, footpaths and easy ground) You will need to be fairly fit.
More demanding walks. Up to 10 km involving up to 350 metres of ascent, occasionally over steep or rough terrain. You will need a good degree of fitness.
More demanding hill climb. Up to 10 km involving up to 900 metres of ascent, sometimes over steep or rough terrain. You will need a high degree of fitness.

Saturday 28 April 10.30 -2.30 approx. Glenarn Gardens via the Coffin Road
Walk from Helensburgh to Glenarn Gardens via the Upland Way and Highlandman’s Road(Coffin Road) Lovely views over the Gareloch and Firth of Clyde. See stunning rhododendrons, magnolias and watch the drystane dykers working at Glenarn. Walk back with leader or return in free minibus. 10km.
Total ascent 200 m. Glenarn entry fee £3.

Sunday 29 April 10.30 - 4.30 High Road to the Hill House
Climb the hill behind Helensburgh for stunning views over the Clyde and Loch Lomond before descending to C R MacIntosh’s famous “Hill House” for a well earned free cup tea/coffee and free entry to this architectural gem. Return on foot or take free minibus back to town centre. 10km. Total ascent 354m..

Monday 30 April 9.00 -5.00 The Cobbler
Climb the famous Cobbler, the most impressive of the Arrochar Alps. Free cuppa in Arrochar. 8km. Total ascent 900 m. Free transport leaves from and returns to the West Kirk, Colquhoun Square, Helensburgh. Free cuppa at The Ben Lomond Restaurant, Tarbet.
Walk Leader – Douglas Philp, Arrochar Mountain Rescue Team Member

Tuesday 1 May 10.00-4.30pm In the Footsteps of the Clansmen.
Join a Countryside Ranger on a 16km guided walk from Glen Fruin to Luss village via Auchengaich Burn and Gleann na Caorainn. Along the way visit the remains of ancient shieling sites. Discover why and how they were built and what life was like for the people who once inhabited them. Mixed walking over rough ground, tracks and paved road. Well earned cuppa awaits at The Coach House Coffee Shop, Luss.

Tuesday 1 May 10.30 - 4.30 Cruaich Tairbert, Glen Loin and Sloy Dam.
Follow in the footsteps of Clan Macfarlane through the hill passes of the Arrochar Alps.
Free cuppa at Inveruglas Car Park Coffee Shop. Walk may be joined in Tarbet at Railway Station. Free transport leaves from and returns to the West Kirk, Colquhoun Square, Helensburgh.
Walk leader – Antje Peters , Walk Wild Loch Lomond

Wednesday 2 May 10.00 - 4.30 Stoneymollan to Cardross & Geilston Gardens
Walk the Stoneymollan Road to Cardross and Geilston Gardens. Lovely views over Loch Lomond and the Firth of Clyde. Finish with a free cuppa at Ardardan Garden centre. 10km. Total ascent 200m. Free transport leaves from and returns to the West Kirk, Colquhoun Square, Helensburgh. Walk may also be joined at the National Park Gateway Centre at Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch. Free transport back to Helensburgh and Balloch from Ardardan. Entry fee to gardens £3.
Walk Leader – Countryside Ranger

Wednesday 2 May 9.30 – 5.00 approx. The Luss Hills
A fairly stiff climb for stunning panoramas over Loch Lomond before descending by beautiful Glen Luss to the village of Luss and a well earned free cuppa at the Coach House Coffee Shop. 10km. Total ascent 690 m. Free transport leaves from and returns to the West Kirk, Colquhoun Square, Helensburgh.
Walk Leader – Douglas Philp, Arrochar Mountain Rescue Team Member

Thursday 3 May 10.00 - 4.30 Ben Bouie and Geilston Gardens
Climb Ben Bouie then descend via the National Trust's beautiful Geilston Gardens to Ardardan Garden Centre (Free cuppa). Lovely views over Loch Lomond and the Firth of Clyde. 10km. Total ascent 300m Free transport leaves from and returns to the West Kirk, Colquhoun Square, Helensburgh. Entry fee to gardens £3.
Walk Leader – John Urquhart, Lomond Guides

Thursday 3 May 10.30 - 4.45 Coastal walk on Rosneath Peninsula
A gentle coastal walk with delightful views over the Clyde and the Gareloch. 8km. Level walking, but can be muddy – boots strongly recommended. Free cuppa at the Castle Isle Restaurant. Allow £5 approx. to cover outward ferry from Helensburgh Pier and return bus fare. Walk Leader – Alastair McIntyre, Peninsula Paths Group.

Friday 4 May 10.30 - 2.30 – Walk the Loch Long Way
This hillside walk from Glen Douglas to Arrochar affords tremendous views of the Arrochar Alps. Free cuppa in The Village Inn, Arrochar. Free transport leaves from and returns to the West Kirk, Colquhoun Square, Helensburgh. Walk Leader – John Urquhart, Lomond Guides

Friday 4 May 10.30 - 4.45 Clach MacKenny on Rosneath Peninsula
A walk from Kilcreggan to summit of Clach MacKenny via forest roads. Wonderful views over Loch Long and the Firth of Clyde. 10km. Total ascent 202m. Free cuppa at Kilcreggan Terraces Coffee Shop. Allow £5 approx. to cover outward ferry from Helensburgh Pier and return bus fare.
Walk Leader – Alastair McIntyre, Peninsula Paths Group.

 

 

Longer guided walks ....

Our varied programme ranges from gentle woodland strolls to more demanding expeditions into the hills of the National Park. All walks muster at Helensburgh’s West Kirk and all finish with a free cuppa at a cosy coffee shop. Public transport and entry fee charges apply to some walks otherwise free minibus transport is provided as necessary. Donations to Arrochar Mountain Rescue would be welcomed.

Places limited to 12 for each walk. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please come properly equipped with walking boots, water and windproof clothing and a packed lunch. No dogs please. Walks will normally go ahead in rainy weather, but may be cancelled/altered or combined due to severe weather or insufficient take up.