15 unmissable walks in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs

If there was a bucket list of must-do walks in the UK, undoubtedly Scotland would feature greatly. And consequently, you’d be correct in thinking that Loch Lomond and The Trossachs would be a highlight. Although half the size of her sister national park, The Cairngorms, many of the best walks in Loch Lomond are among the best walks in Scotland.

With criss-crossing trails across the undulating countryside, up craggy mountains and through verdant woodland, our Loch Lomond walks will appeal to all comers, whether you like to get your stomp on, or you’d prefer a mellow meander around the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond itself.

Read our guide to both of Scotland’s national parks here or continue reading if you’ve got your heart set on some Trossachs walks with a few Loch Lomond hikes sprinkled on top. If you need somewhere to rest jaded legs as the sun begins to set on another epic day of walks, you’ll find some bonnie accommodation here:

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Jump to:

• Hill walks
• Mountain walks
• Waterfall walks
• Forest walks
• Loch walks

Hill walks in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs

Conic Hill

It’s a wonder it hasn’t been renamed Iconic Hill, such are the views when you reach the summit. Beautiful scenery of surging open moorland and highland woods awaits those who scale its heights, although, for those who are shorter on time, the spectacle begins to develop about a third of the way up. Anyone with eagle eyes might spot some birds of prey in the form of buzzards and hen harriers who navigate the skies looking for lunch. Speaking of which, The Oak Tree Inn near the Conic Hill car park is great for replenishing your empty bellies.

Dundurn-St. Fillans

Loch Lomond hill walks, by definition, aren’t going to break through the troposphere, but that doesn’t mean they don’t pack a punch. At a meagre 112m, this grassy knoll still provides awe-inspiring views of the billowing emerald topography framing it on all sides. Starting in the picture-perfect village of St Fillans on the eastern edge of Loch Earn, you travel over a quaint stone bridge before finding the path, adjacent to a 14^th-century chapel, which leads up to the flat hilltop and merited views.

Photos courtesy of @davidobrien2014 (top left) and @cowal_images (top right)

Strone Hill, from Kilmun

Starting in the village of Kilmun on the shores of the Holy Loch, which is one of the national park’s many sea lochs, you’ll traverse multiple steep and uneven paths uphill through woodland towards Strone Hill. Upon leaving the forest, you’ll be rewarded with remarkable views of another sea loch, Loch Long, which in turn widens to become the Firth of Clyde. On clearer days, you might even be treated to far-reaching views: the Isle of Arran to the south and the Arrochar Alps to the north.

Mountain walks in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs

Photos courtesy of @_edpac_ (bottom left) and @majgirvan (bottom right)

Beinn Mhor (Cowal)

Not to be confused with Beinn Mhor in South Uist, this summit just sneaks inside the national park’s boundaries and is the zenith of five ridges that neighbour Loch Eck on its west side. Starting at the beautiful Massan Falls, you pass over farmland before starting a sharp ascent through a dense conifer forest and more grassland, finally arriving at a ridge. From here you can reach the 741-metre summit, the highest peak in Cowal, and savour the views of the Clyde Estuary and the majestic Loch Eck.

Ben Lomond

In any guide to mountains in Scotland, Ben Lomond would certainly have a starring role. It is the southernmost Munro in Scotland and, out of the 282 Munros in the country, there’s only one that has been scaled more by hikers (and that’s the irrepressible Ben Nevis!). Starting in wildflower-filled Rowardennan, you’ll join a path that passes through and emerges from an oak forest before the real ascent begins. At just shy of 1,000m, the apex is a reasonable distance but it’s gentle going and the terrain is fair. Once you reach the summit, the sight of Loch Lomond one way and the Highlands the other will confirm that you made the right decision.

Photos courtesy of @katiem_outdoors (top), @jenannemck_ (bottom left) and @elanorlawrence (bottom right)

Ben Lui

Although not frequented as often as her sister Ben Lomond to the south, Ben Lui is considered by many to be the most exceptional peak in the Southern Highlands. This is in evidence when viewing the mountain from Dalrigh and seeing it through the Cononish Glen. Beginning in Glen Lochy, you’ll walk alongside River Lochy before ascending through forestry and advancing to Coire Gaothach, a hollowed-out section of the mountain where glaciers form. Proceed to the summit where the views are breathtaking, including one of neighbouring Beinn a'Chleibh.

Waterfall walks near Loch Lomond

Falls of Falloch

Meaning the hidden falls, the Falls of Falloch are fortuitously easy to find. By providing you with a particularly pleasant picnic spot as your starting point, and also a well-made pathway, this short walk welcomes the whole family. Advance through the trees above River Falloch (again, not that hidden), over the boardwalk bridge and arrive at the falls which tumble into the splash pool from a height of 10 metres. Impressive at any time, they're especially stirring when in spate, particularly if you happen to spot keen kayakers taking on the descent.

Bracklinn Falls Walk

You begin in the pleasant town of Callander and follow a well-made path, which makes this a great walk for buggies and wheelchairs. You’ll begin to hear the chorus of the waterfalls as you proceed along this path, through wooded areas and eventually into a tranquil glen. Along the way, you’ll hear the rushing waters of the Keltie Burn too, which invites you to follow the river to a footbridge, where you can catch your first glimpse of a series of falls. Further along, the trail leads to another bridge suspended over the river (pictured), where you can enjoy the falls from a different angle. Please note that the path becomes unsuitable for wheelchairs after the first bridge.

Photos courtesy of @shannymac93 (top left and top right) and @wildonvictoria (bottom)

Allt Robuic Waterfalls Walk

Quite the underrated waterfall walk, you won’t even find Allt Robuic in our Scottish waterfalls guide. However, this may work to your advantage, meaning you have this beautiful nature walk to yourselves. Starting in tiny Glenbranter, you’ll walk up some ancient-looking moss-covered steps, making you think they’ve been there since time immemorial. Follow the waymarked forest path, through patches of wildflowers, where you’ll spot red squirrels if you’re lucky. Continue to the gorge and then to some footbridges which lead to some descending wooden steps. The best views of the tumbling falls are to be had from here so take a moment and bask in the natural beauty.

Forest walks in Loch Lomond

Big Tree Walk

We figured that anyone who likes forest walks might be a dendrophile (tree lover), but if you weren’t before, you certainly will be after this Big Tree Walk. With western hemlock, Douglas fir, and Californian redwoods towering above you as you walk this picturesque waymarked forest trail, you really will begin to appreciate the grandeur of nature’s most precious gift to us. As you pass beside the Benmore Botanic Gardens, the path becomes somewhat steep, making it more difficult for littler legs but when you do make it to the zenith of this ascent, you’ll be granted breathtaking views of Strath Eachaig and the surrounding woodland panoramas.

Acharn Forest – Killin

This walk commences in Killin but as the Falls of Dochart are so close by, it’s worth taking a small detour before you begin. After this, you can pick up the Cycle Path 7 signs and embark on a nice easy stroll through dense forestry plantations. Watch out for bikes as you mosey through dappled shaded stretches of the trail and past open fields where deer can be spotted feeding. You’ll pass a pleasant pond accommodating some fish before a gentle ascent through some more mature forestry. After this, the trail leads effortlessly downwards, towards your starting point, providing you with views of the Tarmachan Ridge north of Killin.

Photos courtesy of @steve_gormley (top left), @roanlavery (top right) and @travelpsychology (bottom)

Loch Ard Forest

A walk that easily could have slotted into our loch walks category, the Loch Ard Forest walk is another underrated trail that lies to the west of Aberfoyle. Incorporating ancient oaks as well as numerous species of conifers and a carpet of lush greenery on the woodland floor, you’ll see why this route is a treat for the senses…and that's before you take in the thought-provoking sculptures along the way. Designed to represent the correlation between animals and birds and the various woodland food chains, these artworks will appeal to children whilst making adults think about our environmental impact. There are plenty of great views along this walk too and keep your eyes peeled for deer, otters, red squirrels and water voles.

Loch walks in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs

Loch Katrine

A staple in most loch walking guides, this Loch Katrine walk might seem long, but it can be broken up with a steamer ride from Trossachs Pier. Begin at Stronachlachar Pier and follow the road that frames the Loch. You’ll be able to see Factor's Isle and its protective ornamental wall, famous in the history of legend Rob Roy. Continue through open countryside where you’ll revel in the views of the loch including Glengyle House, where Rob Roy was born. Further along the walk, you’ll enter dense woodland of beech, birch and oak, pass cascading waterfalls viewed from bridges and eventually earn views of Ellen’s Isle, which was mentioned in Sir Walter Scott’s epic poem Lady of the Lake. There are plenty of points to stop at to enjoy a picnic so take your time and enjoy this famous part of the Trossachs.

Photos courtesy of @nocturnall_creatures (left) and @tombradleyuk (right)

Three Lochs Way: Garelochhead to Arrochar/Tarbet

What better way to take in multiple breathtaking lochs in Scotland, than walking along the Three Lochs Way? Now, the ‘Way’ in totality is nearly 35 miles so we’ve chosen the third section, which is the longest but viewed by many as the most rewarding. Starting in Garelochhead, take the waymarked path and enter the woodlands. The wooded sections can be muddy but there are other sections on flat, tarmacked road too. Following on from here, there are some mild ascents but it’s just view after view. You’ll have the magnificent Loch Long in full view, as well as the peaks of the Arrochar Alps and even a pretty waterfall at Tighness Burn. Rest those weary legs and treat yourself to a train ride back from the Arrochar-Tarbet train station.

Balloch Castle Country Park

It’d be hard to write about loch walks without including the national park’s namesake at some point, so we’ve saved it until last and incorporated the serene Balloch Country Park. A lot of this trail follows the water’s edge where trees line the rim of the loch giving the walk a contradictory open and sheltered feel all at once. There’s a children’s play area if you’ve brought the tots along, before you are greeted by a white-pebble-lined part of the route which signals the start of the walled garden of Balloch House. The garden is a real beauty and worth taking the time to appreciate. Back on the main path, you’ll approach Balloch House with its castellated towers before heading to the starting point of the walk.

Stay with us in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs

Just reading about all these walks might have made you tired and in need of laying your head down to rest. Or maybe you’re raring to go and you’re already lacing up your new hiking boots. Whichever it is, we can help provide you with the perfect place to stay whilst you explore this expansive national park. Lochside lodges, mountain stays, hot tub getaways or dog-friendly cottages with a view: we’re here to help you get off on the right foot on your national park holiday.

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