Cowal Way	The Cowal Way is a long distance footpath running the length of the Cowal Peninsula. It starts in the southwest at Portavadie beside Loch Fyne and finishes in the northeast at Inveruglas on the shores of Loch Lomond.

Introduction to your self-guided walk along The Cowal Way

The Cowal Way is a long distance footpath running the length of the Cowal Peninsula in the southwest Highlands. It is 57 miles/92 km long, climbing 5670 ft/1730 m on the way.
This long distance walk follows existing rights of way and public roads, most of which are extremely quiet, or cross Forestry Commission land, which includes a good deal of open hill. Access is not an issue, but don't expect the line to be waymarked everywhere; the route descriptions should always be read with care.
The 'spine' of the Cowal Way is divided into six sections of varying length and difficulty. The long distance path takes in many places and themes of interest which you might like to explore, including natural, scenic and historical and cultural heritage.
We offer the Cowal Way till Arrochar as an 7-day self-guided walking holiday (5 days walking).
Cowal is part of Argyll, in the southwest of the Scottish highlands. Paradoxically, at one and the same time it's very accessible yet very little known. Despite its barriers of sea and hill, this is especially surprising because there is so much to recommend it's beauty, great peace and wildness, together with a long and fascinating history.

Day-by-day Programme

1. Day 2 Portavadie - Tighnabruaich
2. Day 3 Tighnabruaich - Glendaruel
3. Day 4 Glendaruel - Strachur
4. Day 5 Strachur - Lochgoilhead
5. Day 6 Lochgoilhead - Arrochar

Loch Askog, Cowal

Day 2 Portavadie to Tighnabruaich (1)
You begin with a very varied walk through the land of the Lamonts. Starting and finishing by sea lochs, it traverses planted forests, the shores of a lochan by a ruined castle, green pastures, a small village with a ruined gunpowder works, a golf course and broadleaved woods. Oh, and there are magnificent views of Arran, Tighnabruaich and the Kyles of Bute. Practically the whole of Cowal in miniature!
The going is varied, too. There are forest roads, quiet stretches of public road, and a lot of path - some clear and good, some better described as 'trods'. There are also a few short pathless stretches, but no really big climbs; instead the route as a whole is gently undulating. Take your time, and enjoy it.
6.5 miles/10km and 590ft/180m ascent

Tighnabruaich

Day 3 Tighnabruaich to Glendaruel (2)
Beginning as a glorious coastal walk beside the Kyles of Bute and Loch Riddon, to-day's route continues along public roads into quiet Glendaruel. Quitting the Victorian splendour of Tighnabruaich's villas and gardens, our route north is initially along easy forest roads, with sea birds and scenery for company. Beyond Glen Caladh there is a much rougher stretch beside the shore, then up through dense woodland to Craig Lodge. It's not very far, but do allow plenty of time for this section, especially if the tide's in. An hour is not too much. Take a breather by Craig Lodge - the view from the pier is good and you deserve it. From here on, the route is mostly flat and on roads, but compensated by the surrounding woods and waters, fields and hills. Take care at the broken bridge beyond Waulkmill. The walk finishes along the quiet west glen road.
11.5 miles/19km and 660ft/200m ascent

Day 4 Glendaruel to Strachur (3)
Today you'll probably see very few people, if any at all, between the farm at Garvie and the first houses at Glenbranter as you cross a remote pass. The walking is easy underfoot, being on forest tracks throughout once beyond Garvie. On the way up, from open ground, there are good views to Creag Tharsuinn's high ridge and back to Glendaruel. Once much beyond the dam and into the forest, a stony burn is frequently seen burbling away attractively (and sometimes accessibly) on your left, with a stretch of rapids and mini-falls. Having crossed the pass, the steep, rugged mountains around Loch Eck come into view from lower down Glen Branter. Before arriving in Glenbranter the routes takes you through a lovely wooded gorge.
A gently pastoral walk on peaceful back roads takes you from Glenbranter to Strachur
14.5 miles/23.5km and 1350ft/410m ascent

Struth Ban falls, Loch Goil

Day 5 Strachur to Lochgoilhead (4)
Now you're really into mountain country, crossing a wild pass between high hills. There is some beautiful wild landscape on the way, especially beyond the summit of the Bealach an Lochain, notably a hill loch, enormous rockfalls, a rocky burn with a really superb waterfall and great views over Loch Goil. But first a gently walk from Strachur to Succoth Farm. After this, forest roads take you steeply, but otherwise easily, almost to the summit of the pass. Now comes the really hard stuff. Over the bealach, beside Curra Lochan and down its burn there is much tussock and bog, only intermittently threaded by sketchy path, before a last forest track leads more easily down to Loch Goil and the road to Lochgoilhead. Take things slowly and enjoy the scenery. River crossings can occasionally give difficulty on this section: read the route description carefully.
8 miles/13.5km and 689ft/210m ascent

Arrochar Alps

Day 6 Lochgoilhead to Arrochar (5)
A day surrounded by big mountains and spectacular scenery. The Cobbler's 'shark's fin' of a South Peak is a feature of the ascent away to our left, and, as you reach the summit of a high pass, the views back include far away island hills. Ahead Ben Lomond makes an elegant cone. Oddly, you are in countryside once wholly owned by the City of Glasgow! From 1905 to 1965, the city used these Ardgoil hills, gifted to it by Lord Rowallan, for the benefit of all of its citizens, and they are still very much a playground and 'lung' for Clydesiders.
Big mountains, then, and a higher pass than the Bealach an Lochain, but easier going underfoot. There is always some trodden line at the very least, few tussocks, and much of the way is on track, path and tarmac.
10 miles/15km and 1770ft/540m ascent

Day 7 Departure
There are good bus and train connections from Arrochar back to Glasgow and to the north.

Cowal Way self-guided walking holiday photos

Click on the picture to enlarge.

Am I fit enough?

Parts of the Cowal Way are off path and track, across slippery rocks, through pathless glens, bog and open moorland and there is only limited waymarking. This means that you need to have good navigation skills and you should be able to use map and compass for navigation. You also need to be prepared to get wet feet.
If you walk regularly, especially if you walk in the country or on rough paths and off track, you should be able to do the Cowal Way. If this is the first time you will walk a long distance path or if this is the first time you will be walking in Scotland, we recommend that you do our Across Cowal self-guided walk.

If you're still not sure whether or not you can cope after you've read this and the details of both self-guided walks we offer, please get in touch to discuss it further.

Accommodation and Transport

You will stay in carefully selected B&Bs, guest houses and inns. You can rely on the quality of the accommodation that we find for you - its comfort, its food and the welcoming nature of those who run it. Details of where you will be staying will be sent to you well in advance of your holiday.
Your luggage will be transferred when you move to the next B&B. Where necessary, we will take you to the start of the walk. We also provide transport from Glasgow at the beginning of the holiday. There are good train and bus connections from Arrochar, the last place you will be staying, back to Glasgow and to the north.
If you have particular requirements, please let us know so that we can do our best to meet them.

Clothing and Equipment

You will need to bring boots with a good tread that provide adequate ankle support, warm clothing, waterproofs (top and over-trousers) and a rucksack big enough for your spare clothes, a packed lunch and whatever else you normally like to have with you (binoculars, a camera, etc.).
Boots are especially important. They don't have to be particularly heavy, but wearing ultra lightweight ones may mean your feet get wet and trainers definitely aren't adequate nor, on some of the rougher and steeper going, however short it may be, are they safe. Trekking poles can be very useful, especially for anyone with knee problems.

Dates and Prices for 2012

The price includes:

• Guide-book "The Cowal Way" and Ordnance Survey Landranger map at a scale of 50,000 covering the route.
• Double/twin room in carefully selected accommodation, breakfast and picnic lunches on walking days.
• Transport from Glasgow/Glasgow Airport to your first accommodation.
• When necessary, transport between your accommodation and start/end of the section.
• Luggage transport.

For general information and booking, please click here.