📌 Balloch, West Dunbartonshire
★★★
🛠️ Route blocked by fallen trees near Gouk Hill (checked March 2024)
313-metre Ben Bowie is the highest point between Alexandria and Helensburgh. Well, “point” is an exaggeration – this sprawling, flat-topped area of moorland and forestry doesn’t have any of those – but there are excellent views of Loch Lomond, the Luss Hills and the Firth of Clyde from a few select spots. Paths and tracks climb the hill on at least four sides, but linking them to create an interesting circular walk is somewhat tricky. Instead, why not try this linear route from Balloch to Craigendoran, using trains to link the start and finish? Bog haters should omit the detour to Ben Bowie’s summit, instead remaining on the Three Lochs Way.
📷 Chronological photo guide
Balloch 
River Leven at Balloch 
Link path to Loch Lomond 
Loch Lomond Shores 
Loch Lomond from Loch Lomond Shores 
Lower Stoneymollan Road 
Upper Stoneymollan Road 
Stoneymollan Muir 
Loch Lommond from Stoneymollan Muir 
Darleith Muir 
Ascent to Gouk Hill 
Woodland path on Gouk Hill 
Loch Lomond from Gouk Hill 
Loch Lomond from Gouk Hill 
Boggy ascent to Ben Bowie 
Loch Lomond from Ben Bowie summit 
Glen Fruin 
Firth of Clyde 
Descent towards Craigendoran 
Woodland near the Red Burn 
Road approach to Craigendoran 
Craigendoran 
Craigendoran pier
🌍 Location
📌 Start at Balloch railway station
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NS 390818
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 56.002430,-4.583501
🏁 Finish at Craigendoran railway station
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NS 309813
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 55.994940,-4.712162
🚆🚌🚢 Train / bus (or ferry!) to Balloch (walk start) & from Craigendoran (walk finish)
🚗 Car parks / street parking (walk start or finish) – with train connection to other end of route, changing at Dumbarton Central
📝 Key info
▶ 12 km / 7 mi | ▲ 400 m | ⌛ 3-4 hr | ⚠️ Linear route
Features: 🏠 Balloch ★★ & town sights; 🛒 Loch Lomond Shores ★★; 💧 Loch Lomond ★★★★; △ Gouk Hill (277 m); △ Ben Bowie (313 m, sub-2000′ Marilyn)
⬤ Moderate | Clear tracks, paths & minor roads almost throughout. Ben Bowie is the exception, with faint paths & an exceptionally boggy section immediately after leaving Three Lochs Way, before improving.
Download file for GPS➡️ Westbound linear walk: start & Balloch – Balloch Pier via River Leven – Loch Lomond Shores – Gouk Hill (slight detour to summit) via Three Lochs Way / John Muir Way – leave Three Lochs Way at 🧭 NS 343826 – Ben Bowie – descend southwest slope to rejoin Three Lochs Way – Craigendoran & finish
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Mallards & mute swans on Loch Lomond. Cuckoos heard, blue tits, robins, butterflies & damselflies.
Weather: Mostly sunny with fluffy clouds & light breeze, temperature in high teens.
May 2022
