Rowerdennan to Loch Arklet
Length
27.5 Kms
Elevation gain
679 m
Max elevation
150 m
Difficulty
***
Rating
****
Type
Out and back
Route id
576
Main road
0 Kms
Country road
3 Kms
Dirt road
9.6 Kms
Dirt path
0 Kms
Trail
14.9 Kms
0
Route summary
The Rowerdennan to Loch Arklet route is a trail and dirt road run within Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. The out and back covers a distance of 27.51 Kms ( 17.09 miles )
and has an elevation gain of 679 m ( 2228 feet )
.
Description
This is mainly an out and back though there is a bit of a loop in the middle. The route is mainly on the West Highland Way and so take into account it can get busy during the summer. This review is from November and we only saw one person along the whole run.
So we head off from the car park at Rowardennan after taking a moment to enjoy the beauty of Loch Lomond. The route follow the small road heading north up the loch. There are a few houses and a youth hostel which the road serves. You are rewarded with lots of views of the loch as you head out but after
2.7 Kms
you start the first main climb of the run. This route although only getting as high as 150 m
does include about 679 m
along the way. At this point there are two ways to go, we went out on the higher path and came back on the lower one.
After
4.6 Kms
we start a downhill section but the route does through several steep climbs in along the way just to prevent you feeling everthing is too easy. The road becomes more of a trail and takes you closer to the loch.
Just before Inversnaid you start the steepest climb of the route as we go up the hill towards Loch Arklet. This can get muddy and wet in places but is one of those trails that are rather fun. Until that is you lose on foot in a boddy section and end up face planting. Once over the top you arrive at a small car park. Take the exit and once at the small tarred road run right. This takes you all the way up to Loch Arklet
The ruins of the old Roman garrison are beside the small farm just before the dam and worth a visit if time permits. From Loch Arklet you turn around and head back the way you came.
On the way back at
20.2 Kms
we took the lower path on the right rather than the main dirt road. This does get rather technical in parts and you are forever going up and down. The views though are brilliant as you end up frequently at the shore line. Again in tourist season this might be bad choice but for us it was just perfect. At 27.5 Kms
you are back at the car park and if in summer perhaps a good time for a wee dip in the loch.
Route directions
Kms
1
From the car park head north to join the small road. West Highland Way (WHW)
0
2
Keep to the main road past the hostel as it forrks to the right
0.4
3
Keep on the main path
2.7
4
Just before the waterfall take the trail to the right up the hill
11.2
5
Out into the open
11.5
6
Arriving at the car park turn left and follow the exit out
12.1
7
At the road turn right
12.2
8
Past the old roman garrison on the left
12.8
9
Arriving at the dam on Loch Arklet and time to head back
13.7
10
Possible detour on the right takes you to the trail to the garrison
13.8
11
Back into the car park
15.1
12
Back onto the trail. Small detour avilable from the car park to the view area
15.2
13
On arriving at the WHW turn left back the way you came
16.1
14
Take the path on the right through the trees
20.2
15
Up the wee hill towards the main path
24.7
16
And back onto the WHW taking a right
2.7
17
Back into the car park
27.4
18
Perhaps time for a swin in the loch
27.5
Car park area
The monument, by Scottish artist Doug Cocker, acts as a focal point for the Ben Lomond National Memorial Park. This was established to commemorate those Scots who laid down their lives during the Second World War.
Car park area
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West Highland Way
Early on the route
Loch Lomond
From the lower path
West Highland Way
On the high road
West Highland Way
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Towards the loch
On the low path
Towards the loch
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Towards the loch
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Past Rowchoish
Good quality path
Past Rowchoish
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Towards Inversnaid
Looking north
Towards Inversnaid
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Over the hill to Loch Arklet
Gets a wee bit muddy at times
Over the hill to Loch Arklet
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Over the hill to Loch Arklet
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Lcoh Arklet area
Single track road to the loch
Lcoh Arklet area
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