Lochs Voil and Doine road run
Length
38.1 Kms
Elevation gain
569.9 m
Max elevation
189.7 m
Difficulty
**
Rating
****
Type
Out and back
Route id
559
Main road
0 Kms
Country road
31.6 Kms
Dirt road
6.5 Kms
Dirt path
0 Kms
Trail
0 Kms
0
Route summary
The Lochs Voil and Doine road run route is a country road run within Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. The out and back covers a distance of 38.1 Kms ( 23.67 miles )
and has an elevation gain of 570 m ( 1870 feet )
.
Description
This is a semi-regular route we do when in training for marathons. As it is an out and back we sometimes cut it shorter in length depending on where we are in training. Although this is on country roads, they are usually very quiet and some of the scenery on this route is brilliant for a road run.
The route starts of in the large car park at Stathyre before crossing the small bridge over the River Balvag. This starts with
3 Kms
or so of undulating roads with lots of trees on both sides. We call this part of the route 'Red squirrel alley' due to the frequent sighting of these lovely wee animals.
Around the
3 Kms
mark you are out of the trees and the countryside opens up as you head west towards the village of Balquidder. The road all the way to Balquidder is very light with traffic. At 6 Kms
you are coming into the village and it is worth noting that a small diversion can take you up to the grave of Rob Roy.
Heading west away from Balquidder you have Loch Voil on your left and a fine country road for running on. There will be some more cars on this section but still not a lot. The road takes you down beside the loch in parts and on a good day it is really lovely. It can be tough going on a cold, windy and wet day as the rain comes flying down the glen.
At the
12 Kms
mark you are past Loch Voil and the Monachyle Mhor hotel. The hotel is the reason for most of the traffic on the road so once past this point there are even less cars. The road does become a little more uneven but still tarred and a joy to run on. Loch Doine is now to your left.
Just shy of the
16 Kms
mark you approach the car park at Inverlochlarig which was the site of Rob Roy's house. The car park is there for hill walkers attempting hills such as Ben Moore. The car park marks the start of the dirt road which is good quality. Once past the farm you are out in the wild open and heading west. We turned at the 18 Kms
mark and headed back but the road does go on a bit further to the foot of Beinn Cabhair and Beinn a Chroin. We may attempt the full run, or use a different starting point in the near future.
Great route for a road one.
Route directions
Kms
1
Head to the bottom of the car park
0
2
Turn right along the foot path
0.1
3
Turn left at the road across the old bridge
0.4
4
At the tee junction turn right heading up the hill
0.6
5
Keep on the main road across the first bridge
5.5
6
Again keep right on the main road
5.6
7
On reaching the tee junction in Balquidder turn left.
6.2
8
End of Loch Voil, keep on the main road
12.1
9
Once past the hotel the road becomes a little narrower and rougher.
12.5
10
Start of Loch Doine
12.6
11
At the car park, follow the dirt road to the right
15.8
12
Road heads left towards the farm
16.5
13
Turn right following the road with the farm sheds on your right
16.8
14
You are now heading out into the open glen
16.9
15
This is as far as we went on this run
19
16
Follow the same route back
19.1
17
After the farms buildings follow the dirt road to the left
21.3
18
The road is now a tarred surface
22.3
19
Back in Balquidder turn right heading towards the bridge
31.9
20
Once over the bridge follow the main road as it heads left
32.1
21
Keep to the left on the road
32.5
22
Keep following the main road as it heads left
37.5
23
After the bridge turn right down the footpath
37.7
24
And a left back to the car park
38
25
Back at the car park and finish
38.1
Early stages
In amongst the trees. This is where the red squirrels can be spotted.
Early stages
Small covering of snow
Open glen, heading west
Our only ever sighting of a mole while running
Open glen, heading west
Almost out of the trees
Open glen, heading west
Out in the open
Open glen, heading west
River Balvag
Near Balquidder
Rob Roy's grave. Small diversion needed.
Near Balquidder
Head of Loch Voil
Near Balquidder
Head of Loch Voil
Near Balquidder
More Loch Voil
Near Balquidder
Wee bridge over the River Balvag
Near Balquidder
Snow at Loch Voil
Near Balquidder
Approaching Balquidder
Along Loch Voil
Reflections
Along Loch Voil
Reflections on the loch
Along Loch Voil
Highland cows beside the loch
Along Loch Voil
Looking west
Along Loch Voil
Looking east
Along Loch Voil
Looking back, just before the hotel
Lochs Voil and Doine
Western Loch Voil
Lochs Voil and Doine
Loch Doine
Lochs Voil and Doine
Looking back at Loch Voil
Lochs Voil and Doine
Loch Voil in the distance
Lochs Voil and Doine
Heading up Loch Doine
Lochs Voil and Doine
Dull day at Loch Doine
Past Loch Doine
The country road
Past Loch Doine
Looking back at Loch Doine
Out in the open
Heading west
Out in the open
Isolated road
Out in the open
The mountains in the background