Short section of 3 Lochs way
Length
12.6 Kms
Elevation gain
279 m
Max elevation
193 m
Difficulty
**
Rating
**
Type
Loop
Route id
581
Main road
5.8 Kms
Country road
2.5 Kms
Dirt road
0 Kms
Dirt path
0 Kms
Trail
4.3 Kms
0
Route summary
The Short section of 3 Lochs way route is a pavement, small road and trail run within Central & West. The loop covers a distance of 12.6 Kms ( 7.83 miles )
and has an elevation gain of 279 m ( 915 feet )
.
Description
This route starts from the Kidston Park in Helensburgh. A lovely place for a car park and it offers some great picture opportunities, especially during sunrise and sunset. The route leave the car park and takes the footpath back towards Helensburgh along the side of the River Clyde.
At just short of
1 Kms
we leave the river and head up the street opposite the small water treatment plant. We head up three blocks before turning right onto Argyle Street. This street is stunning during late April / early where the cherry and apple blossom is out.
After running six blocks we take a left and start uphill before turning right on meeting the railway line. The climb starts again after one block where we head up the A818 and out of town. In this section you need to cross the road at some point since the pavement on the left hand side ends before you reach the town limits.
At almost
3 Kms
you take a left into Glen Fruin. This is a lovely quiet single track road that has a few ups and downs along the length. At about 4.5 Kms
you leave the tarred road and take the signposted trail back to Helensburgh. This is you on the three lochs path proper.
The trail has some nice climb to start with then varies between flat and hilly. At about
8.8 Kms
you are at the highest point at 193 m
and from here it is nearly all downhill all the way back. The route is out in the open going over the hill but soon reaches the wood trails. At 11.5 Kms
you come out of the woods and take a right then left back towards the Kidston Park. There is a small cafe and toilets at the car park.
Route directions
Kms
1
Start at the Kidston Park car park
0
2
From the car park turn right towards Helensburgh
0
3
On reaching the small water treatment building, turn left up Suffolk St
1
4
Straight on over West Princes Street
1.2
5
Straight on over West King Street
1.3
6
Turn right at West Argyle St and go six blocks
1.4
7
Turn left at Colquhoun Street, all the way to the top
2
8
At West Rossdhu Street turn right
2.7
9
Turn left uphill at Sinclair Street, A 818
2.9
10
Cross over to the other side of Sinclair Street and continue uphill
3.2
11
Past the dump
4.2
12
Taking care to cross the road, take the Glen Fruin single track road on the left
4.7
13
Take the signpost trail path on the left towards Helensburgh
7.2
14
At the foot of hill take the right path, following it over a burn
9.7
15
Take the left over the burn
9.8
16
Keep on the main trail
9.9
17
On meeting the dirt road, turn left downhill
10.2
18
Just after the railway bridge take the path on the right, down over a small bridge
10.6
19
Follow the path to the left as it goes downhill
10.7
20
Keep on the main path
11
21
On arriving at the lock ups, go straight across
11.2
22
On reaching the main road turn right along Rhu Road higher
11.5
23
Turn left at the first main street, Cumberland Ave. Follow downhill
12
24
Carefully across the main road then a left back to the car park
12.4
25
And back at the car park
12.6
Kidston park area
Looking up the Gare Loch
Kidston park area
Looking towards Helensburgh and the River Clyde
Sea front path
Heading towards Helensburgh
Turning point
Some days can be rather windy
Turning point
Pavement from Kidston park and water treatment plant
Turning point
Looking up Suffolk Street
West Argyle St
Road running due to lack of pavements
Colquhoun St
Heading up hill towards the west highland railway
Glen Fruin
Entrance to the Glen Fruin road
Initial part of the road
Very quiet road - looking into the glen
Initial part of the road
Top of the first wee hill on the Fruin road
Initial part of the road
Looking back at Ben Bouie
Initial part of the road
Further in
Initial part of the road
A little snow in winter
Initial part of the road
Lovely views
Initial part of the road
Three wee birds keeping an eye on things
Initial part of the road
Descent towards the wee bridge
Initial part of the road
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Initial part of the road
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Last part of the Glen Fruin road
Looking downhill - very icy day
Last part of the Glen Fruin road
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Last part of the Glen Fruin road
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3 Lochs way
Looking back at the Fruin
3 Lochs way
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3 Lochs way
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3 Lochs way
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3 Lochs way
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3 Lochs way
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Highest point
Looking back at the climb
Highest point
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Highest point
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Highest point
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Highest point
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Starting downhill
Looking at the River Clyde and Ardmore point
Starting downhill
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Starting downhill
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Starting downhill
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Starting downhill
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Highland mans way
Looking over Helensburgh
Highland mans way
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