Alongside Loch Lomond

Milarrochy Bay

If you’re looking to access the shores of Loch Lomond, this is the guide for you. Whether you’re looking for an adventure on the bonnie banks by foot, bike or boat, we’ll tell you how to get to each section of the lochside that is accessible and share our recommendations of places to visit and things to do alongside Loch Lomond.

This guide is in three sections of Loch Lomond shorelines, East, South, and West. There are many links to other articles as there is only so much detail we can go into one guide. However, the linked guides are all packed with helpful information.

 

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East Loch Lomond

East Loch Lomond

We have a separate guide with all the highlights of East Loch Lomond and another on camping (including a highly recommended camping pitch near Rowardennan.)

West Highland Way

The West Highland Way path goes alongside Loch Lomond from Balmaha up to the northern end of the loch. This path is undoubtedly the best way to experience the eastern shoreline.

It’s around 7 miles from Drymen to Balmaha, over Conic Hill and another 7 miles onto Rowardennan. A further 7 to Inversnaid and then finally another 7 miles to Inverarran.

Enjoy the entire 96-mile West Highland Way experience, of which the Loch Lomond section will be a highlight or use our guides to break them into a section.

East Loch Lomond

Balmaha

An additional car park recently opened at Balmaha provides more spaces, although both car parks are pay and display. Get alongside the bay starting at the Tom Weir Statue or take the Balmaha Boatyard ferry to Inchcailloch Island.

Milarrochy Bay

Walk along the shoreline path to Milarrochy Bay , and if you’re driving, there is a free car park there. This is an excellent place to bring the family and sit on the beach on a warm day (do go early as spaces fill quickly when the sun shines.) There are toilets here, and it is ideal for launching kayaks, canoes and SUP.

Rowardennan

Rowardennan is at the end of the road if driving; it is also the starting point for climbing Ben Lomond, which draws tens of thousands of people each year. So an additional overflow car park introduced in recent times is most welcome.

Inversnaid

To get to Inversnaid by car, you’ll need to take the B829 from Aberfoyle, one of the many excellent scenic roads in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs. You can also get to Inversnaid by foot along the West Highland Way path or Great Trossachs Path from Callander. In addition, cruise Loch Lomond has a waterbus service from Tarbet on the opposite side of Loch Lomond.

You will need to travel by foot to explore the shoreline that runs north alongside the eastern shores.

Aber Shore, Gartocharn

South Loch Lomond

You can’t walk alongside the entire southern shoreline; however, there are some excellent spots to get access. At the RSPB reserve, a new pathway will go all the way to the beautiful Aber Shore Our guide to getting to Aber Shore describes a diversion because of a damaged bridge. It is essential not to try and drive down to the shore as there is no parking. Use our guide for instructions.

Motorboat Trips

A mention for Portnellan Farm, a working farm on the southern shores, their diversification includes a tremendous speed boat experience. We used this to see all of Loch Lomond’s islands, even landing on some, also a great way to experience the pretty southern shoreline.

Balloch

Sweeney Cruise Co. run many daily cruise and water bus services from Balloch. These connect with other villages or provide a circular cruise close to the islands and shoreline.

At Loch Lomond Shores, you can park and enjoy the leisure and retail options. Best of all, you can walk along the lochside, up to the Maid of the Loch paddle steamer, which is currently out of the water, berthed on her slipway for restoration.

Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch

West Loch Lomond

Our A82 Road Trip blog features all the points of interest on the journey between Balloch and Tyndrum. The highlights along the western shores are Duck Bay, a picnic spot with an excellent restaurant and café. Next, Aldochlay, with pretty cottages and a great place to take to the water, then Luss, with lots of access to the loch as our comprehensive guide describes.

Cycling alongside Loch Lomond

The West Lomond Cycle Path gets you alongside the loch and is an excellent way to explore the shoreline between Balloch and Tarbet.

Tarbet Cruises

Cruise Loch Lomond is based in Tarbet, with numerous cruise and water bus options.

Northern part of Loch Lomond

Further north, there is Inveruglas, with a pyramid-shaped viewing platform, and then Ardlui, with marina and watersports. There is also a ferry that connects with Ardleish on the other side of the loch.

Inveruglas, Loch Lomond

Loch Lomond Highlights

Here’s where we recommend for different activities:

• Cruise departures – Tarbet, Luss, Balloch, Balmaha and Invernsaid (View timetables)

• Camping – Firkin Point on Western Shores (National Park) and East Loch Lomond

• Motorhome Service Point – Tarbet

• Sitting on the beach – Milarrochy Bay , Rowardennan and Luss

• Places for families – Balmaha, Balloch and Luss(Including Loch Lomond Faerie Trail)

• Picturesque – Balmaha, Luss, Invernsaid, Inveruglas, Rowardennan and Aldochlay

• Watersports – Loch Lomond Shores, Ardlui and Luss

• Access by train – Balloch, Tarbet and Ardlui

• Bird watching – Aber Shore, Gartocharn and Invernsaid (RSPB Reserves)

• Hill Climbing – Ben Lomond (Rowardennan), Conic Hill (Balmaha), Beinn Dubh (Luss)

• Launching small craft – Aldochlay and Milarrochy Bay

• Cycling – West Lomond Cycle Path and Drymen to Balloch on NCN7

• Walking – Balmaha, Inversnaid, Aber Shore and Balloch Castle Country Park

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Thanks for reading

Words and photography by Paul Saunders. Visit Paul’s Marketing and Photography websites for details of his services in Scotland.

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