Best Hikes in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs

With breathtakingly gorgeous scenery ranging from the awe-inspiring Arrochar Alps and serene waters of shimmering lochs to steep-sided glens carved out by glaciation, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is a veritable haven for hikers. Whether you walk alongside the sea lochs, scale a Munro (a peak that reaches over 3,000 feet/914 metres – there are 21 in the national park) or follow the West Highland Way, your adventures in these magnificent landscapes are likely to be good for heart, mind and soul.  

Just bear in mind that the weather is unpredictable here, and in winter temperatures plummet and conspire with the mountains to transform them into snow-capped megaliths coated in ice; stay safe by mastering some simple survival skills. On the other hand, definitely take midge spray if you’re hitting Loch Lomond hiking trails in summer. 

In this guide, we’ve covered several hikes of varying length, all of which are at least moderately challenging. If you’re after a gentler route to introduce the kids to the joys of walking, have a look at Pitchup’s guide to walking routes in the park (and if you need more to keep youngsters entertained, try our suggestions for family-friendly activities around Loch Lomond).

Ben Lomond – The best hike in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park 

Choosing one best Loch Lomond & The Trossachs hike from a myriad of choices is nigh on impossible, but the spectacular route up Ben Lomond is certainly one of the most iconic trails in the national park. The mountain is Scotland’s most southerly Munro, and offers a demanding ascent coupled with stunning views.

Length: 7.5 miles (12 km) circular trail

Time: 5-7 hours

Elevation gain: 3,196 feet (974 metres)

Start: Ben Lomond car park at Rowardennan; there’s also a Forestry and Land Scotland overflow car park with a direct link to the Ben Lomond footpath. You’ll need to cash to pay the parking charges. 

Beginning in woodland, the clearly marked path runs up the southern shoulder of Ben Lomond from Rowardennan on Loch Lomond’s eastern shore. The route rises up to the trig point at the summit – with some steep sections on the way – at 3, 054 feet/931 metres, where you’ll be rewarded with fantastic views over the islands of Loch Lomond, Loch Katrine and the Trossachs. For a stunning circular route, descend from the summit via Ptarmigan Ridge along a rough but still discernible path. The WalkHighlands website has full details and a downloadable GPS route.

Good to know: Ben Lomond rivals Ben Nevis as Scotland’s most-climbed peak. If you want to escape the crowds, there’s a less popular and more strenuous route starting from Loch Chon, just off the B829. Hike the forestry track to Comer and then head up open hillside and the steep lower slopes of the mountain to join the Ptarmigan Ridge path to the summit.

Other great hikes in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs

With hundreds of hiking trails in the national park, there are options for all levels of ability and fitness. We've selected three of our favourite routes here to get you started. 

Ben Vorlich

With fantastic panoramas over Loch Earn, Ben Vorlich is a good start for hikers new to Munro bagging; just don’t confuse it with Ben Vorlich by Loch Lomond, which is a steep and arduous climb in the Arrochar Alps.

Length: 9 miles (14.5 km) there and back

Time: 4-5 hours

Elevation gain: 3,232 feet (985 metres)

Start: Park carefully by the side of the road at Ardvorlich Burn

This out-and-back trail starts from the south side of Loch Earn, where a signposted track leads past Ardvorlich House before you start to climb steeply uphill. Cross over Ardvorlich Burn and follow a small path – which is rocky in places – up the ridge to the trig point and cairn on the long, narrow summit for views over the loch to  to Ben Lawers. Retrace your steps.

Good to know: If you’d like more of a challenge, follow the ridge path west and tackle the steep, rocky slopes of neighbouring Stùc a’ Chròin.

Ben Arthur (The Cobbler)

With its three distinct rocky overhangs, The Cobbler is one of the most recognisable mountains in Scotland. At 2,900 feet/884 metres, the true summit is the central peak, which demands some tricky scrambling – and a good head for heights; but it’s a spectacular hike with views over a brace of lochs whether you reach the top or not. 

Length: 6.8 miles (11 km) circular trail

Time: 4-6 hours

Elevation gain: 2,900 feet (884 metres)

Start: Succoth car park – pay by cash, card or app. 

From the car park, follow the well-kept zig-zagging path and turn on to the forestry track before hitting open ground and a clear path up to a small dam. It’s a gentle climb with some muddy sections and a few stepping stones across streams, plus views over Loch Long and Ben Lomond. By now, you’re on a hillside scattered with the Narnain Boulders; follow the path alongside the stream to the base of The Cobbler, and either take the rock steps up to the north peak or skirt round the corrie to reach the grassy top of the central peak – it’s up to you whether you complete the scramble up to the rocky pinnacle. AllTrails has a good route description and GPS download.

Good to know: On a clear day, you might spot Ben Nevis from the summit of The Cobbler.

Beinn Tulaichean and Cruach Àrdrain

Here’s your chance for a tough workout on two Munros with demanding ascents. On this circular trail the going is steep but there are rest points along the way, and you’ll have staggering views from over neighbouring Munros to lochs Doine, Voil and Crianlarich.

Length: 7.75 miles (12.5 km) circular trail

Time: 6-7 hours

Elevation gain: 3,343 feet (1,019 metres)

Start: Inverlochlarig car park

From the car park, join the track up Glen Inverlochlarig, turning right past the farm. Expect some boggy ground before you get to a large cairn, and then continue up the stiff slopes. You’ll hit a path on the final climb up Beinn Tulaichean, which will take you to the ridge line. 

Once there, follow the ridge towards Cruach Àrdrain, taking care on the short but steep slope before you reach the summit. Retrace your steps back to a small cairn, which marks your descent down rough slopes with rocky crags to negotiate back down to the glen. Then take the grassy track back to Inverlochlarig.

Good to know: Always check the weather conditions before attempting this hike, and expect boggy conditions after rainfall. The route is often icy in winter too.

Long-distance hikes on Scotland’s Great Trails

Six long-distance hikes wend their way through the national park, connecting into a network of routes that spread right across Scotland. Each is mostly off-road, clearly waymarked and at least 25 miles in length; you can walk short sections or follow the whole route on a multi-day trek.

 

Great Trossachs Path

• Length: 30 miles (48 km)

• Route: Callander to Inversnaid on Loch Lomond

• Time to complete: 2-3 days

The Great Trosachs Path passes close to Brig o’ Turk, peaceful Loch Katrine and Stronachlachar, and links in with the Rob Roy, West Highland and Three Lochs hikes. Check out the detailed route for yourself. 

Three Lochs Way 

• Length: 50 miles (31 km)

• Route: Balloch to Inveruglas on Loch Lomond

• Time to complete: 3-4 days

As its name suggests, the Three Lochs Way takes in the three lochs of Lomond, Gareloch and Long; it’s ideal as a gentle introduction to long-distance hiking as it has good, well-tended and waymarked paths, few steep climbs and plenty of public transport connections if you get tired of walking. 

Loch Lomond and Cowal Way

• Length: 57 miles (92 km)

• Route: Portavadie to Inveruglas on Loch Lomond

• Time to complete: 4-5 days

One of the national park’s quieter hiking options, the the Loch Lomond and Cowal Way is nicknamed 'Scotland in 57 miles' thanks to its ever-changing scenery from coastlines to lochs, forests and mountains. Take a little extra time to see ruined castles, churches and Viking graves along the way.

Rob Roy Way

• Length: 77 miles (124 km)

• Route: Drymen to Pitlochry

• Time to complete: 6-8 days

The route of the Rob Roy Way starts at Drymen and exits the national park at Killin (where you can see the spectacular Falls of Dochart) on its way up to Pitlochry; it follows paths used by 18th-century Highland outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor, and takes in his grave at the hamlet of Balquhidder on the shores of Loch Voil. 

West Highland Way

• Length: 96 miles (154 km)

• Route: Milngavie to Fort William

• Time to complete: 6-8 days

If you’re considering following Scotland’s first multi-day hiking trail, which carves its way up the side of Loch Lomond en route, have a look at our in-depth West Highland Way guide, which covers both the route and its accommodation options.

John Muir Way

• Length: 134 miles (215 km)

• Route: Helensburgh to Dunbar

• Time to complete: 9-11 days

The most recent addition to Scotland’s roster of long-distance hikes, the John Muir Way passess through the national park from Daligan, taking in Balloch, fantastic views over Loch Lomond and the Kilpatrick Hills.

Good to know: If you’d like your hike in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park to do some good, consider joining Big Hike The Trossachs, held every May to raise money for cancer research.

Planning your hike in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs

Keen to experience the outdoor life but not sure what gear you need? Check out Pitchup’s hiking guide to find out what you should wear to protect yourself against the elements – and the weather is particularly fickle in the national park – and what kit you should take with you to keep you and yours safe on your hike. 

While wild camping is broadly permitted in most areas of Scotland, the ecosystem in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is particularly fragile, and for this reason a permit is required if you’re camping rough in some areas between March and September; take a look at Loch Lomond camping permit rules before setting off. If you’re at all confused about what’s allowed and what’s forbidden when wild camping, have a look at Pitchup’s definitive wild camping guide. 

If you’d prefer to camp at an official site, check out Pitchup’s range of campsites in Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park, or spoil yourself with a stay at one of the area’s glampsites.