Rowardennan at Ben Lomond: Hiking Trails, History and Loch Lomond

Between Ben Lomond and Loch Lomond

Rowardennan lies at the foot of Ben Lomond on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond. The village therefore combines a striking mountain landscape with the West Highland Way, which passes through Rowardennan, and with activities on the water. Access to Ben Lomond is from Rowardennan.

Hiking trails for different day plans

The West Highland Way passes through Rowardennan. The official long-distance trail is 154 km (96 miles) long, providing a clear starting point for anyone planning a longer hiking trip or wanting to explore a section of the route. Another option is the Ptarmigan Path, which leads to the summit of Ben Lomond at an elevation of 3,192 feet. If you are catering to different interests within your travel group, you can choose between a section of the long-distance trail, a climb into the mountain landscape and shorter cultural and historical trails.

The Ardess Hidden History Trail is 1.5 km long and leads through the lower woodland areas. The easy-to-walk trail links around a dozen archaeological sites. The Ardess Cruck House also illustrates a type of building that was used in the area until the early 19th century. The building was constructed from local natural materials. Alongside the landscape, these two destinations provide an insight into the history and construction methods of the region.

Memorial sites by the loch and on the water

The Ben Lomond Memorial Trail leads to a memorial sculpture on the shore of Loch Lomond. It commemorates the Scots who died in the two world wars. The circular stone and granite sculpture is 3 m high, was created by Scottish artist Doug Cocker and stands at a viewpoint on the shore. It is only a short walk from the car park in Rowardennan. The landscape around Ben Lomond was officially designated as a war memorial in 1995 and is dedicated to all those who died in the conflict.

The loch is also part of the village's character. On the eastern side of Loch Lomond in Rowardennan, there is access for canoeing and kayaking. The West Highland Way Rambler Cruise combines a boat trip with a 7-mile hike from Rowardennan to Inversnaid, followed by a return journey by boat to Tarbet.

Travel and accommodation information

The road to Rowardennan is well signposted from Drymen. The car park marks the end of the road, 12 miles from Drymen. There is no bus service to Rowardennan. During the summer months, however, a limited water bus service operates directly from Luss or Tarbet to Rowardennan. Local facilities include a hotel, bar meals, tea and coffee, toilets, a youth hostel, bed-and-breakfast accommodation, a bunkhouse and paid parking.

When choosing your holiday apartment or holiday cottage, you should therefore take travel by car or the seasonal connection by water into account as important factors in your planning.

For further destination options, you can also explore Isle of Jura, Garelochhead, Bunessan, Bruichladdich, Dunoon, Craignure, Luss and Kilmelfort separately.

For the broader travel overview: Argyll And Bute.