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Balloch to Strathblane

Hiking route · United Kingdom
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  • Balloch Castle and Loch Lomond
    Balloch Castle and Loch Lomond
m 200 100 25 20 15 10 5 km
Leave Balloch and the village's castle behind to gain magnificent views over Loch Lomond again before descending and walking through forest to the town of Strathblane.  
moderate
Distance 29.5 km
8:00 h
403 m
338 m
276 m
10 m

An early start is the order of the day as today is the longest stretch on the John Muir Way, but also one of the most rewarding. Begin with a stroll through Balloch Castle Country Park, admiring views over Loch Lomond, before you cross through forest plantation which opens up to fantastic views of the Lomond Hills.

Follow the path skirting the edge of the Burncrooks Reservoir, through woodland to the Carbeth Inn and Huts. Originally formed when camping rights were given by the landowner to soldiers returning from WWI, the huts developed as Glasgow folk sought the fresh countryside air. During WWII the huts housed evacuees from bombed-out homes. Continue to Strathblane, where you can relax and perhaps reward yourself with a wee dram of local whisky.

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Author
Catherine Allan
Update: August 25, 2021
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
276 m
Lowest point
10 m

Track types

Asphalt 4.93%Dirt road 1.94%Forested/wild trail 62.51%Path 29.78%Road 0.81%
Asphalt
1.5 km
Dirt road
0.6 km
Forested/wild trail
18.4 km
Path
8.8 km
Road
0.2 km
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Tips and hints

This route is used in the following itineraries:

WSJMW

Start

Balloch (10 m)
Coordinates:
OS Grid
NS 39153 81978
DD
56.003690, -4.581071
DMS
56°00'13.3"N 4°34'51.9"W
UTM
30V 401406 6207618
w3w 
///surprised.invented.stretch

Destination

Strathblane

Turn-by-turn directions

These maps and routes are designed to be used in conjunction with our traditional documentation. We have recently embarked on a conversion initiative to bring the two elements together, and this itinerary will be covered in due course.

In the meantime, using the two elements alongside each other should go a long way to ensure you have a safe, enjoyable and problem free day.

Note


all notes on protected areas

Coordinates

OS Grid
NS 39153 81978
DD
56.003690, -4.581071
DMS
56°00'13.3"N 4°34'51.9"W
UTM
30V 401406 6207618
w3w 
///surprised.invented.stretch
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

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Difficulty
moderate
Distance
29.5 km
Duration
8:00 h
Ascent
403 m
Descent
338 m
Highest point
276 m
Lowest point
10 m

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Ascent  m
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