r/OutdoorScotland • u/Cherry_Springer_ • 14d ago
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs NP
Hi everyone, I'll be in Scotland in early to mid-March of next year and I've been eyeing Loch Lomond and the Trossachs NP as a place to stay for 2, maybe 3 full days to do some hiking and wandering around. Typically I'd go further north (I'll be starting in Edinburg for a few days) but my concerns are weather around that time of year which I understand to be volatile as well as accessing the general area without a car. I've been to Scotland before when I was 16 or so but we didn't make it up to the Loch Lomond area so I'm wondering if this would be a good place for accessing what I'm looking for. I was thinking to stay in Balloch for reference. Thank you in advance.
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u/meyeusername 14d ago
Regular buses and trains to Balloch (and beyond) from Glasgow, which is easy to reach from Edinburgh by public transport. There are also a number of short cruises (circular and hop on/off) availble from a variety of places around Loch Lomond that run all year (winter timetable has a reduced service of course), and plenty of easily accessable hiking opportunities.
Google maps will see you right when you're planning - click on the bus stops and the bus numbers and routes can be found easily.
I hope you have a great trip.
I love the lochs in the rain, and a good forest walk/hike will feed the soul or whatever, just as much if the weather prohibits anything more adventurous.
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u/Cherry_Springer_ 14d ago
Perfect, that's exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks for the info/kind words!
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u/UpsideDownSeth 14d ago
Been to Balloch twice. One when I started the Three Lochs Way and another time when I stayed there for a few days with my dad, but then we had a car. I'd say Balloch's a pretty good point for some walking.
The first stage of the Three Lochs Way is a nice walk and doable in March; I did it at the end of March. Assuming the weather isn't horrendous and you pack some extra layers then you'll be fine. Nice views (don't forget to look back when ascending out of Balloch!). It also ends up in Helensburgh which has public transport (among which a train station from which you can catch the train back to Balloch).
You can catch a bus to Balmaha and go up Conic Hill or walk a part of the West Highland Way. (The route back will need to be to retrace your steps.) Keep in mind that the stretch from Balmaha to Rowardennan is much more streneous than you'd expect. (Lots of tiny ups and downs that add up.)
Lastly you could also catch a bus from Balloch to Arrochar (or at least Tarbet) and hike a bit in the Arrochar Alps. (The Cobbler's (Beinn Arthur) an abvious choice, if the MWIS report is looking good.)
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u/Cherry_Springer_ 14d ago
Great, I'll be writing all this down. For the first part of Three Lochs Way is that doable in a few hours? Apologies if that's a dumb question, I'm not very familiar with the area haha
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u/Affectionate_Fly1918 13d ago edited 13d ago
Balloch to Helensburgh is nine miles. Say 4-5 hours depending on how fast you walk, how many photos you take and if you want to slow down to appreciate the scenery and serenity.
Be careful if you are relying on the train to get you back to Balloch. Two stations in Helensburgh, one inter-city (only about four trains a day) and one that is a Glasgow suburban train terminus (this has a regular service).
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u/ialtag-bheag 14d ago
I'd suggest staying somewhere like Arrochar instead. Not as busy as Balloch, and more interesting hiking, up mountains if you want. And more options for public transport - train, or bus, or boat across Loch Lomond. Could do some sections of the West Highland Way, and get a bus back.
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u/Cherry_Springer_ 13d ago
Okay, good point. Looking at Apple Maps I see what you're talking about - the peaks look a bit higher in that area. By the way, I forgot to mention in my post that I'm still considering Aviemore/Cairngorms as it looks more rugged and when I was in Scotland a decade ago I was in that general area (north of Edinburgh) and it's stuck with me ever since. My hang-up is weather for that time of year as it's further north. Any chance you've been to both and wouldn't mind chiming in as to which you'd chose?
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u/ialtag-bheag 13d ago
Aviemore area is nice as well, lots of great walks. Though yes, it is usually colder. It is further north, and higher elevation. Could be snow around in March.
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u/cwhitel 13d ago
You can get the bus to balmaha, and from there you can head up conic hill, have food at the restaurant near the loch, and walk part of the west highland way. You can even take a boat to the islands, get dropped off at one side, explore and get picked up by the other. Not sure what the times are like that time of year though.
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u/ChanceStunning8314 14d ago
weather then isn't 'volatile'-too strong a word for me-maybe 'changeable' or variable-it can be cold, wet, windy, maybe snow and ice, but can also be dry.. but all easily dealt with at lower levels (ie, not tops of mountains-that would be different advice/experience needed). Balloch is reachable by public transport. A good time to visit, pre midges, and pre busy trails (such as the West Highland Way).