Balloch - Helensburgh

The bend at 344828

Path crossing forestry road at Northfield Wood. See instructions above to avoid the dangerous deep muddy patch 30 metres south west of the signpost.

The bend at 344828

Reddish path on tree free ridge - Goukhil Muir at 344828


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		Stage 1 Balloch Tourism Information Office to The Hill House in Helensburgh: 14.5km, 9 miles; ascent about 400m. Utilising existing minor roads, a historic right of way, forest roads, footpaths and informal trods, this section crosses the Killoeter/Ben Bouie upland between Balloch and Helensburgh. The route gives excellent views over Loch Lomond, Helensburgh and the Firth of Clyde, but a trackless section In the middle involves a 50 metre climb up the forested Killoeter escarpment and may require some navigational ability. Work associated with the John Muir Way project. has now started in this area and extra care should be exercised near any earth moving plant whiuch may be operating. Those cycling will find a continuous cycle path beside the A82 and A818 linking Balloch and Helensburgh. The seriously dedicated (or is that mad?) mountain biker will of course think nothing of tackling the upland route as described - just be prepared to do a lot of carrying and pushing!





		Map files courtesy of Argyll and Bute Council. Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright and database right 2009. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100023368

	Directions From the Balloch Visitor Information Centre (opposite the railway station) start by heading east for a few metres before turning north into the riverside car park. At the north end of the car park pick up the riverside walkway and follow for 500 metres to the Loch Lomond Shores retail complex. At the western end of the "retail crescent" turn left at the "Gateway Centre" and walk 400 metres southwest on the pavement fringing the large car park until you reach the Old Luss Road where you turn left, walking for 250 metres before turning right onto the ancient drove and coffin route known as 'Stoneymollan Road'. After about 400 metres or so the lovely old road is cut by the A82 and a pedestrian overpass takes you across the busy carriageway. The strange timber and steel "coronet" which graces the roundabout announces the entrance to the National Park. Perhaps predictably, the cynical locals have dubbed it "The Rack of Lamb"! Continue following the Stoneymollan Road uphill where after 600 metres you pass through a gate. The route now becomes a rough track which you follow uphill for a kilometre or so before passing through another gate into a forestry plantation. After 450 metres turn right at the crossroads. Follow the forestry road 800 metres to the Darleith Muir T junction at GR 352822. Turn right at the Darleith Muir ‘T’ junction and head north for 200m to the northern edge of the Darleith Muir plantation. This next section is currently undergoing major improvement works. The route as described below is liable to change as work progresses. Hop over the drainage ditches and turn left to walk 200m with the dry stain dyke on your right. Now, pacing the distance and dodging the winblown timber and drainage ditches, get out your compass and head due west through the trees for around 400m, crossing a clearing and the headwaters of the Auchendennan Burn before reaching the boggy footslopes of the Killoeter Escarpment. Around GR 347824 turn right to head NNE diagonally upslope through the trees arriving after 300m at the end of a forestry road. The road heads NNE for 0.5km before swinging west at Goukhill. Around 346829, turn left at the T junction. 200m SW of the T junction at 344828 the road again swings north and this is where you break off to the SW to reach the path to Helensburgh. Before doing so, a short detour in the opposite direction out to spot height 281on Goukhill Muir is well worth the effort for the stunning views over Loch Lomond. Simply follow the reddish coloured path which runs out along the low tree free ridge stretching north east from the bend in the forestry road. To head for Helensburgh leave the forestry road at the bend and follow the indistinct trod SW through the heather to reach a gate in a little under 200m. Through the gate a new path descends towards Helensburgh and soon gives grand views over the town, the Firth of Clyde and Glen Fruin. Continue along the path until you cross a new forestry road near Northfield Wood at grid ref 332821. A sign points the way down the Red Burn trail, but to avoid a dangerous patch of deep mud which has developed 30 metres southwest of the sign near 330820, ignore the sign and turn right onto the forestry road. After 100 metres or so a left turn down the side road takes you down to the disused fank and the green barn described below. After the fank the track heads down towards a green metal clad barn. Just past the barn go through the self closing gate and follow the tracks downhill to the housing areas and main A814 road into Helensburgh.’ This first section terminates on the northern outskirts of Helensburgh at Charles Rennie MacIntosh's The Hill House (National Trust, open afternoons only from Easter until September). The route shown - along East Clyde Street and then up Colquhoun Street - passes the town's three railway stations and the visitor information centre near the pier. Don't miss some short detours to explore the leafy back streets, where you can admire the fine gardens and stone built Victorian and Edwardian villas for which Helensburgh is justifiably renowned. In late April early May you'll find the town's spectacular collection of streets trees in a froth of pink and white blossom.