Best trails in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park

This is a stunning out and back route that begins in Balmaha and takes you through Balmaha Plantation to the top of Conic Hill, a very popular summit with amazing views over Loch Lomond and the surrounding mountains. This is a sustained climb all the way with a mix of forest track, muddy hill paths, and cobbles. This route will be muddy and slippery after rain so waterproof shoes are recommended. There are cows along this route so great care is needed with dogs. Please note, there is a...

Ben Lomond, Scotland's most southerly munro, is an ever popular, and always enjoyable, hike, with beautiful views for almost the entire way up. Starting from the Rowardennan car park (parking charges apply, but the toilets are free), follow the signposted path, which starts next to the information point/toilet block. This path will take you through some lovely woodlands, and then out onto the open mountainside, slowly climbing all the while. You'll wind your way up the mountain to the...

Ben Lomond is one of the most popular Munros, rewarding visitors with fantastic views of the length of Loch Lomond and far into the hills to the north and the Trossachs to the east. The starting point is the Rowardennan car park on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond (parking charges do apply). From here, follow the path northwards along the shore of the loch. Just past Ben Lomond Cottage, there is a gate on the right-hand side of the track. Through the gate, the signal track walking path...

Conic Hill is a classic day out from Glasgow. This 361 meter tall hill offers stunning views across Loch Lomond, and the surrounding hills and mountains. To start, head to the large sign at the back of the Balmaha Visitor Centre car park, and turn right onto the trail. After a couple of hundred meters, the trail will fork, take the left fork. This new trail should have marker posts for the West Highland Way. Shortly after this, the trail will start to wind its way, sometimes steeply, up...

The Cobbler, also known as Ben Arthur, is a mountain at the head of Loch Lomond. The mountain itself is known for its rock climbing, considered some of the best in the Southern Highlands. The trail is mostly large and well maintained, but there are some muddy sections and some points that require skipping across stepping stones to cross streams, therefore, grippy and waterproof footwear is advised. The final ascent up the Cobbler's south face is verging on a graded scrmable, and requires...

Ben A'an stands high above Loch Katrine and Loch Achray, with incredible views of both. The route is steep but not too long, a perfect challenge for the novice hiker (or anyone who enjoys a good view). If you are combining a hike of Ben A'an with Loch Katrine, don't miss the chance to explore some folklore. Loch Katrine is said to have Urisks (small pixie-like creatures) living close to the shore, but they are very shy, so you may have difficulty spotting them! As with everywhere in the...

Day two of the West Highland Way (south to north) takes you from the rolling farmland of the Lowlands, past Conic Hill, and along the shores of Loch Lomond, into the Highlands. This trail is well-waymarked, but if you want some extra peace of mind, you can download the offline map to follow as you hike. The West Highland Way does not take in the summit of Conic Hill, but will be obvious from the trail and is a short detour that is well worth it for the views (see if you can spot the chain...

This is a section of West Highland Way that leaves from Tyndrum and ends at Inveroran. This route gives walkers a great view of the surrounding mountains including Beinn Dorain, and views across to Glen Orchy and the Kinglasss Viaduct. You will cross the Bridge of Orchy, constructed as part of the military roads, built in the aftermath of the 1746 Battle of Culloden to help in the pacification of the Highland Clans. Just beyond the bridge, there is a picnic spot with lovely views along the...

This section of the West Highland Way takes you from Inverarnan to Tyndrum. It leads you through the glens on a relatively gentle ascent and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains within Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. This is Scotland’s first long-distance route and its most popular. Stretching 154 kilometres (96 miles), it links Milngavie at the northern edge of Glasgow and leads to Fort William. This section of the route starts by leading you northward from...

The Bracklinn Falls are one of Scotland's most impressive waterfalls. Located on the Keltie Water, where the river crosses the Highland Boundary Fault, these waterfalls are beautiful and best enjoyed after a day or two of heavy rain. The best view of the falls is from the recently rebuilt Bracklinn Bridge, which will have you suspended right above the centre of the falls. The walk through the woodland is lovely, but a little muddy in places, so appropriate footwear is advised. The weather...