Cowal Way
92 km / 57 miles
Argyll and Bute
The Cowal Peninsula lies west of Glasgow but within easy reach, offering moorland scenery, deep glens and narrow sea lochs typical of the West Coast. It crosses the Cowal Peninsula from south-west to north-east, beginning at Portavadie, Loch Fyne and heading via Loch Goil and Loch Long to the west shore of Loch Lomond at Inveruglas. En route, it passes below The Cobbler, which can be climbed as an excursion, and links the villages of Tighnabruaich, Glendaruel, Strachur, Lochgoilhead and Arrochar.
After Tighnabruaich it passes alongside the Kyles of Bute to follow the shore of Loch Riddon (Ruel), continuing north with the River Ruel through Glendaruel, then through Strath nan Lub to Glenbranter and Strachur. From Strachur it heads east between Beinn Lochan and Beinn Bheula to Lochgoilhead, after which it continues east between Cnoc Coinnich and The Brack before descending to Ardgartan and Arrochar.
It runs through remote and rugged countryside, with fine views over Bute and the Firth of Clyde, with a mixture of lochside and woodland walking, rough paths and some quiet roads. Cowal is rich in history, heritage and interesting wildlife. Ferry links to the Kintyre Way and a seasonal Loch Lomond ferry link to the West Highland Way as there are ferries across from Inversnaid to Inveruglas, and thence to the Great Glen Way, open up a walk from the Mull of Kintyre all the way to Inverness.
Details:
| Path Type: |
Paths Marked on OS mapping |
| Waymark: |
Peninsulas graphic and name |
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| Attributes: |
Challenging; Forest/Woodland; Lake/Reservoir/Loch; River; Moorland; Heritage |
| Start: |
NR929698 - Portavadie, Argyll and Bute |
| Finish: |
NN322099 - Inveruglas, Argyll and Bute |
| Open Date: |
2003 |
| Web Sites: |
Rucksack Readers |
Publications, Badges and Certificates:
Maps: |
 |
| Purchase Ordnance Survey Maps (path is named on OS maps): |
| OS Landranger: |
55, 56, 62, 63 |
| OS Landranger Active: |
56 |
| OS Explorer: |
357, 358, 360, 362, 363, 364 |
| OS Explorer Active: |
357, 358, 360, 362, 363, 364 |
Walking Support Providers:
Group Accommodation within 5 Km of this Path:
Connected Paths:
Downloads:
Route Profile:
90.2 Km (56.0 miles)
2,847 m (9,341 ft) ascent
499 m (1,637 ft) maximum height
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 (click to enlarge)
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