Roseneath peninsula run loop
Length
16.7 Kms
Elevation gain
371.9 m
Max elevation
198.9 m
Difficulty
**
Rating
****
Type
Loop
Route id
589
Main road
1.2 Kms
Country road
7.1 Kms
Dirt road
8.2 Kms
Dirt path
0 Kms
Trail
0.2 Kms
0
Route summary
The Roseneath peninsula run loop route is a trail and small country road run within Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. The loop covers a distance of 16.66 Kms ( 10.35 miles )
and has an elevation gain of 372 m ( 1220 feet )
.
Description
So this was one of those routes that we had on our plan to do, but we wanted to do it in the right weather conditions. Boy did we land good.
We started this route on the small car park off the Barbour Road just before Kilgreggan. An alternative would be to start the loop from the
larger car park on the Peaton Road for the conservation reserve. Most of the climb on the route is within the first
7 Kms
and straight away
the scenery is stunning with great views across the Firth of Clyde. Remember to have the odd look back when doing this run.
After the initial views you are in the tree line for a while with a steady incline. We were starting to worry that it was going to be one of those routes
where all you see is trees, but it soon opened up and stayed that way for most of the run. We took the first detour at
3.3 Kms
to take in the views from Clach MacKenny and this is something well worth doing. We also took the short path to reach the top of Airlig and take in the views there. Both these are described in the directions section of the page.
At the conservation reserve you do have a short section of just over
1 Kms
on the Peaton Road. This is a steep downhill but be very careful on this section as you are likely to see cars. On our last outing, a Friday morning, we were passed by only one car. You take the Barbour Road on the left on the way down and follow this single track road all the way back to the car park. The views from the road are stunning at times and there are one or two houses on this section that could make you very jealous. Very few cars on this road, but again be careful.
The Barbour Road is a classic undulating one and at times we were feeling it bad on the legs which were still in marathon recovery. The Barbour Road takes you along the top of the village of Kilcreggan before reaching the car park at the start. The Kilgreggan Cafe is well worth a visit for some good value food.
Hope you enjoy this one as much as we did.
Route directions
Kms
1
Starting in the car park just off the Barbour Road
0
2
From the car park pass the barrier and head uphill on the dirt road
0
3
Keep to the left
1.9
4
Wee detour for the viewing point
3.3
5
Enjoy the view and retrace your way back to the main path
3.8
6
Another detour for the view. Just after the gate follow the small path on the left going up the hill
6.9
7
View point
7
8
Turn left at the Peaton Road
8.5
9
Area where alternative car park is
8.6
10
Turn left onto the single track Barbour Road
9.7
11
Turn left back into the car park and finish
16.6
12
End of route
16.7
Car park area
The car park has spaces for about 6 cars
Car park area
Heading up hill away from the car park
Car park area
Looking back down the hill towards the car park
Steady climb
Continuing the steady climb
Section within the trees
There is a short section when the views are hidden by trees
Views of the Gareloch
Looking across the Gareloch at Shandon, Rhu and Helensbugh
Views of the Gareloch
Faslane base in the distance
Views of the Gareloch
Looking up the Gareloch and Clyde
Views of the Gareloch
Views of the Gareloch
Downhill with Faslane in sight
First viewpoint, Clach MacKenny
Ardentinny in the distance
Second viewpoint, Airlig
Turning point for the path up to the top of Airlig. Short distance to run
Second viewpoint, Airlig
Opps there's a shadow on this
Second viewpoint, Airlig
Second viewpoint, Airlig
Arran in the far distance
Peaton Road area
Joining the Peaton Road
Peaton Road area
And it's all downhill on the Peaton
Peaton Road area
Turning point to leave the Peaton Road and join the Barbour Road
Peaton Road area
Early on the Barbour Road there are trees, but that soon opens up
Along the Barbour Road
A shadow again. Looking up Loch Long
Along the Barbour Road
View down the Clyde
Nearing the end of the run along the Barbour road
Some long straight bits, and this picture doesn't show the undulations very well
Nearing the end of the run along the Barbour road
Strone across the loch and further on is Dunoon
Above Kilgreggan and near the end of the route
Approaching Kilcreggan near the end of this route