Running in Glens Kendrum and Ogle
Length
24.5 Kms
Elevation gain
539 m
Max elevation
587 m
Difficulty
****
Rating
****
Type
Loop
Route id
524
Main road
4 Kms
Country road
0 Kms
Dirt road
20.5 Kms
Dirt path
0 Kms
Trail
0 Kms
0
Route summary
The Running in Glens Kendrum and Ogle route is a trail run within Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. The loop covers a distance of 24.52 Kms ( 15.24 miles )
and has an elevation gain of 539 m ( 1768 feet )
.
Description
At almost
25 Kms
and with a lot of uphill this is a tough but very rewarding run. The start of the route takes you from the car park up onto Route 7 cycle track. The first 1 Kms
of flat running along the pavement gets you nicely warmed up for the first section of uphill. This is tarred, and zig zags up the hill. Great views are offered over Lochearnhard, the mountains and the loch itself. On meeting the old railway line proper you have a turn to the left then a short flat section before heading off to the right and into Glen Kendrum for the start of a long uphill section.
These are landrover style paths and are well maintained with a couple of fords to negotiate along the way. You are out in the open with no tree cover till you get to the old railway line. So far we've hit mist higher up every time we have run this route, but we will keep going for that clear day. Be very careful in winter as the paths here are unforgiving with ice which you can see on the pictures available. Post Glen Kendrum you are into Gleann Dubh and a long downhill section to meet the old railway line. The second ford on the route, just before the railway line, marks a possible alternative path but forestry works have made these routes a mess of branches and difficult to run. So, head across the ford getting your feet chilled and down to the old railway line. You are now in Glen Dochart.
The railway line is a pleasure after the steep ups and downs but is a gradual uphill till it comes close to the main road at its highest point in Glen Ogle. From this point beside the old railway station you have a good quality path all the way back to Lochearnhead. The path being a mix of tarred and good quality dirt road and gives you nice views on the left all the way down. About one kilometre after the station at the top you have a choice of taking the old military path. This path is a trail and follows close to the main road and gives you a more gradual descent into Lochearnhead. However, the old railway line gives you the best views and takes you across the old viaduct. Shame that the main downward section is the steep section that you started on. The route shown here and associated GPX is the old railway line.
Route directions
Kms
1
Turn right from leaving the car park and head up the A85
0
2
At the main road junction, A84 and A85 turn left. You will have to cross the road to the post office side.
0.4
3
At the small church take the road on your right. Just before the speed sign on way out of town. Signpost for Glen Ogle.
1
4
Just before the old bridge take the footpath down the short incline
1.4
5
On getting to the old railway line, turn right and head under the bridge and up the hill.
1.5
6
At the top of the hill, turn left and go through the gate.
2.3
7
As you approach the old bridge, go through the gate on the left that takes you up a path to go over the bridge.
3.1
8
Once over the bridge, start the long ascent. Look back every so often as the views can be wonderful when you get some height.
3.4
9
The first ford. Be careful on icy days as this can get very slippy.
6
10
The highest section of the route
7.9
11
Cross the ford through the Ardchyle burn. There are alternative routes back to the right of the ford but when we tried the tree felling made running difficult.
11.3
12
At the old railway bridge, turn right to go over the bridge following the old track.
12.4
13
At the fork take the track on the right, going up hill.
13.1
14
Keep an eye out for red squirrels
15.2
15
Road starts to level now, before starting the descent back to Lochearnhead
16.4
16
Alternative routes back exist on the old military road. This is a trail route, but runs close to the main road and doesnt have the same viewing potential as the old railway line. Take your pick, this route is on the old railway line.
18.2
17
You are now back at the first section of the route, so head down the path to the left
22.2
18
Once under the bridge, turn left up the footpath to the small road.
23
19
Turn right down the small road.
23.1
20
At the main road turn left.
23.5
21
Turn right at the main road tee junction back towards the car park.
24.1
22
And welcome back to the car park
24.5
Car park
Car park on the left just after the police station
Car park
Toilets are at the far end
Leaving main road
Turn left onto Glen Ogle path just before village limits
Route 7
Up the hill on cycle route 7
Route 7
Short path from small road to cycle route 7
Top of the first path
Gate on the left which you go through
Top of the first path
Lochearn
Top of the first path
Lochearn
Top of the first path
Lochearn
Top of the first path
Lochearn
Top of the first path
This short uphill section is tarred
Top of the first path
Lochearn
Leave old railway track
Go through the gate on the left and over the bridge
Leave old railway track
Classy sheep
Glen Kendrum
Early views
Glen Kendrum
Image from Glens Kendrum and Ogle
Glen Kendrum 2
Getting higher up
Glen Kendrum 2
Image from Glens Kendrum and Ogle
Glen Kendrum 2
Image from Glens Kendrum and Ogle
Glen Kendrum 3
And even higher. The clouds can be dramatic
Glen Kendrum 3
Image from Glens Kendrum and Ogle
Glen Kendrum 3
Image from Glens Kendrum and Ogle
Glen Kendrum 3
A well frozen ford
Glen Kendrum 3
Image from Glens Kendrum and Ogle
Glen Kendrum 3
Beautiful clouds
Glen Kendrum 3
Image from Glens Kendrum and Ogle
Glen Kendrum 3
Towards the first ford
Glen Kendrum 3
The frozen ford when not frozen
Glen Kendrum 3
Image from Glens Kendrum and Ogle
Glen Kendrum 3
Image from Glens Kendrum and Ogle
Glen Kendrum 3
Image from Glens Kendrum and Ogle
Going down
There always seems to be a mist. Into Gleaan Dubh
Approaching a ford
With ice, this part is a nightmare
Approaching a ford
Heading downhill
Approaching a ford
No escaping wet feet now
Old railway bridge
Cross this bridge travelling on the old railway line
Old railway bridge
Looking back up Gleaan Dubh
Old railway line
With hard packed ice
Travel by train
Perhaps a few decades to late, Dr Beeching
Travel by train
Autumn on the railway
A local
We love the red squirrels
Lochan Lairig Cheile
Very peiceful, if you ignore the noise from the nearby main road
Viaduct
Looks wonderful from the main road but hard to do it justice when you are on it
Viaduct
Image from Glens Kendrum and Ogle
Approaching Lochearnhead
First sight of the loch in the distance
Approaching Lochearnhead
Image from Glens Kendrum and Ogle
Amost finished
Overlooking the loch