Loch Ard, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, Stirling

Jasper at Loch Ard back in August 2020, when he was a one year old (click / tap to enlarge)

Loch Ard is a picturesque loch in the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, near Aberfoyle, Stirling. It's one of the places that we are drawn back to from time to time, in particular the 4.3 mile circular way-marked red route, that takes in Little Loch Ard, Lochan a’ Ghleannin and a southern section at the bottom of Loch Ard itself. The route is also a sculpture trail and there are some interesting installations to look out for along the way. The paths are wide, good quality forest tracks for the most part, though there is a rough narrow section at Loch Ard that can be somewhat muddy. Watch out for cars along the start / end sections of the route.

The start location is the Loch Ard car park (free), where you'll find a number of other way-marked routes, including the lovely walk around Lochan Spling. Further information can be found on the Forestry and Land Scotland website here.

You can find route maps, link to the car park location and GPX navigation file at the end of this article. All images can be clicked / tapped to enlarge. Information is current as of our last visit in February 2023.

Here are some of our photo highlights, from various visits between August 2020 and February 2023:

Jasper at Lochan a Ghleannain

Jasper at Lochan a Ghleannain

Jasper at Lochan a Ghleannain

Little Loch Ard

Tommy looking quizzical at Lochan a Ghleannain

Osprey sculpture at Lochan a Ghleannain

Jasper amidst the grey and red squirrels who are battling it out with their seemingly high tech weaponry!

Pew pew laser squirrels?

Loch Ard

Little Loch Ard

Sculpture at Little Loch Ard

Jasper at the totem sculpture

Route overview with surrounding area (click / tap to enlarge)

Route detail

Link to car park at start location on Google Maps

Download GPX navigation file (from Google Drive)

PLEASE BE SURE TO READ OUR DISCLAIMER WHICH ALSO INCLUDES IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.

Balloch Castle Country Park, Balloch, West Dunbartonshire

Jasper and Tommy at Balloch Castle Country Park (click / tap to enlarge)

Balloch is a lovely little town at the bottom of Loch Lomond and we often stop off there if we are heading out in that direction. It's regarded as the gateway to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Visitors can find supermarkets and also a shopping mall there, so it's a good base to explore from. There's also plenty of free parking.

The main attraction for us though (and many other dog owners) is Balloch Castle Country Park which makes for a lovely, scenic walk along the loch and back past the castle. The castle itself is being renovated at present and its future purpose is currently being determined, so you can't visit it at the moment. The park is also a great place for a picnic (weather permitting!) and there are plenty of picnic tables dotted around.

I'm not going to provide a specific route map around the park as it's quite a straightforward place to explore. I'd suggest walking out along the River Leven, along Loch Lomond and then back via the castle; a circular route of approximately 3 miles. You can also take a longer route at the far end of the park, along the burn up Fairy Glen, if you fancy it. There's an information board there with a map showing the route. Just to note that the loch was quite high when we visited last month and a detour was in place along part of the lower path as it was flooded. The main paths are tarmac but some of the other paths can be a bit muddy.

As usual, you'll find maps and parking details at the end of the article. All images can be clicked / tapped to enlarge. Information is current as of our most recent visit in Jan 2023.

Here are a few of our photo highlights:

Lots of boats moored up along the River Leven as it flows into Loch Lomond

Jasper backed with Balloch Castle

Tommy at Loch Lomond

Plenty of scenic picnic spots to take advantage of

As you can see the water was very high and a diversion needed to be followed as the path was flooded

Location of Balloch (circled in red) with wider area (click / tap to enlarge)

Balloch with recommended free parking location marked with red cross

Overview of Balloch Castle Country Park

Link to parking location on Google Maps

PLEASE BE SURE TO READ OUR DISCLAIMER WHICH ALSO INCLUDES IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.

The West Highland Way North (part 3): Loch Ba, Highland south towards Victoria Bridge, Argyll and Bute

A very excited Jasper backed by the picturesque snowy mountains as we cross Rannoch Moor (click/ tap to enlarge)

Here's the third part of our there and back walk along the north section of the West Highland Way (WHW) that runs from Bridge of Orchy to Fort William. Last time we ended our walk at the edge of Rannoch Moor. This time access and parking dictated that we walk in a southerly direction to the point where we stopped last time and then return northwards. The route is approximately 7 miles (3½ miles each way).

We parked in the A82 north bound lay-by just opposite Loch Ba. The lay-by is the same side of the road as our walk, so there's no need to cross over. Take particular care to keep dogs under control near the main A82 as it is a fast and dangerous section of road.

Our route crosses the moor to pick up the WHW again heading south. It's not a route out to the WHW that I'd ordinarily recommend unless you're a particular fan of marsh, mud and bog. When we walked it last month however, everything was frozen and we just had to skirt the numerous icy patches. There are still three burns to cross though (two can be avoided if preferred) and of course the dogs needed to be kept away from the frozen ponds and lochans along the route. It's a path more suited to the sure footed and some will find it better to head further north to the Glencoe ski centre and walk south on the WHW from there. That alternative route is longer but pretty easy. I'll be covering the section from the ski centre in the future.

The reward for walking across the moor to the WHW when the winter conditions are right though, is the spectacular view of the mountains ahead. The WHW section itself also affords some fine snowy views and you can spot skiers and snowboarders on the slopes in the distance too.

You'll find a link to the parking location on Google Maps, route maps and GPX navigational file at the end of the article. All images can be clicked / tapped to enlarge. Information is current as of our last visit in January 2023.

Here are some photo highlights and route notes:

The path starts near the top of the layby, continues over a little wooden crossing and up to a frozen pond. The path then turns left heading away from the road and out across the moor (click / tap to enlarge)

The path continues across Rannoch Moor with the beautiful snowy mountains behind.

Tommy staying comfy in his little fleece as we cross the frozen moorland!

The barren moor stretches off into the distance with the snowy mountains framing the view ahead

The first burn to cross where once a bridge existed but now it's necessary to hop across on the stones

We chose to detour down stream instead and move some rocks around to make an easier crossing

The second burn crossing along the route was frozen over and we definitely didn't fancy our chances walking across! The West Highland Way lay over the other side in the far distance. 

Instead we deviated from the path, turning right to follow the burn over the rough ground to the bridge. At the bridge we turn left to follow the West Highland Way. The detour also avoids having to cross the third burn. Our route continues south on the WHW to where we ended our previous walk. 

A lovely wintry scene

One of the many bridges across the icy burns of the West Highland Way

Plenty of great photo opportunities along the way

Tommy in a dramatic pose, probably imagining himself as some kind of clan leader commanding his men (well, Jasper anyway) to scour the land in search of snacks!

Jasper and Tommy living the doggy dream on the West Highland Way!

A frozen lochan at the end of our walk

Time to return back the way we came

Route overview with surrounding area (click / tap to enlarge)

Close up of parking area / start location

Route detail

Link to car park at start location on Google Maps

Download GPX navigation file (from Google Drive)

PLEASE BE SURE TO READ OUR DISCLAIMER WHICH ALSO INCLUDES IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.