Run through Glen Fruin

This is a fully tarred route that offers a good mix including a climb along the way. We start this route at the Kidson Park car park although you could easily use the pier car in Helensburgh or lots of street parking. The reasons for this choice is that it allows you to take in some of the famous blossom streets (a spring time must) , helps split the uphill out of Helensburgh and is also a lovely spot for finishing the run. Oh and there is a wee Cafe.

So head from the car park back towards Helensburgh along the lovely waterside pavement the runs beside the A814. Early in the morning on a sunny day this can be a perfect start, though a wet winters afternoon is something else. You follow the pavement until you reach the small water treatment building which is shortly after where the small wall on the right finishes. From here cross the main road and head up Suffolk Street. Generally, we do like the locals and stay on the road as the pavements are not so great, take care though. Helensburgh is in a grid system, so keep on Suffolk Street for three blocks then turn right onto West Argyle Street and into the blossom trees. Follow this road (part of the Helensburgh 10k) for 6 blocks then turn left up Colquhoun Street and start climbing. The road meets the west highland railway so a quick turn right, one block then a turn left and up Sinclair Street and out of Helensburgh.

The road out of Helensburgh is the A818 and keep to the right-hand side of the road. This does feel like a long uphill slog but once at the old skating pond the climb does stop. You are on the cycle/walking path that runs alongside the main road. Some lovely views of Ben Bouie, and down Glen Fruin along with Loch Lomond. Although you can head into the first entry into Glen Fruin for this route we stay on the A818 path until the cross keys and head into Glen Fruin from the small roundabout.

Running through Glen Fruin is brilliant. This is a small single-track road but with very few cars and is the major part of this run. A short uphill become a short downhill before a long flat. The road heads back uphill at the end of the glen and provides brilliant views of the Arrochar Alps and down along the Gareloch.. and even a wee submarine base.

You are back on the main A814 once under the railway bridge and from here it is pavement running back to Helensburgh. For most of the route once past the submarine base the pavement is actually on the old road, so you are away from the traffic for most of it. This is probably the dullest part but can be beautiful on some mornings. The route takes you into Rhu, Brae shop for a wee roll and sausage, then along beside the loch/river back to the car park.

When finished, depending on time of day, there are two recommendations. Fish and chips from the Wee Kelpie and ice cream at Dinos. Don't miss these if you can, with both being on Clyde street a short distance from the pier.