Loch Lomond and Cowal Way
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The Loch Lomond and Cowal Way is a waymarked footpath through Dunbartonshire and Argyllshire, a great part of it on the Cowal peninsula in the latter county. The trail runs between Portavadie on Cowal (Argyllshire) and Inveruglas (Dunbartonshire) on the shore of Loch Lomond. It was formerly known as the Cowal Way, but was renamed in December 2018 to reflect the fact that while most of the route is in Cowal, the eastern end is not, and about half is within the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.[1]
The way is 57 miles long,[2][3][4][5] and is designed to be suitable for both walkers and mountain bikers.[2] Much of the route is also suitable for experienced horseriders, although in some places steps, narrow footbridges and gates may restrict access for horses. A review to identify these obstacles and suggest alternative routes and/or remedial measures was undertaken in 2016.[6]
Trailheads
Development
The route was first established in 2000,[2] and is managed by the Colintraive and Glendaruel Development Trust.[7] It was renamed in 2018 to in order to increase usage of the trail, as the Trust considered that Loch Lomond had higher brand recognition in the target markets.[8]
Since 2016 the trail has been listed as one of 'Scotland's Great Trails'.[9] The route is fully waymarked with the Loch Lomond and Cowal Way logo, which depicts a stylised image of a path in a landscape of hills and lochs.[10][11]
In 2018 it was reckoned that around 45,000 people use the way each year, of whom over 3,000 walk, cycle or run the complete route.
Other routes
The trail links directly to another of the Great Trails, the Three Lochs Way, which shares much of the Dunbartonshire section, between Arrochar and Inveruglas.[12][13][14]
There are also indirect links to three further Great Trails at both end points of the Loch Lomond and Cowal Way: at Portavadie there is a Caledonian MacBrayne ferry service to Tarbert, which is one of termini of the Kintyre Way, whilst at Inveruglas there is a passenger ferry across Loch Lomond to Inversnaid, which is one of the termini of the Great Trossachs Path, and lies on the West Highland Way.[14]
Outside links
References
- ↑ "Loch Lomond and Cowal Way". Scotland's Great Trails. https://www.scotlandsgreattrails.com/trail/loch-lomond-cowal-way/. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "The Loch Lomond and Cowal Way". Colintraive and Glendaruel Development Trust. https://www.lochlomondandcowalway.org/. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
- ↑ "The Loch Lomond and Cowal Way". WalkHighlands. https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/argyll/cowal-way.shtml. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
- ↑ "Loch Lomond & Cowal Way". Long Distance Walkers Association. https://ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/show_path.php?path_name=Loch+Lomond+%26+Cowal+Way. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
- ↑ "Cowal Way". GPS Cycle and Walking Routes. http://www.gps-routes.co.uk/routes/home.nsf/RoutesLinksWalks/cowal-way-walking-route. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
- ↑ Vyv Wood-Gee (May 2016). "Cowal Way Multi-use Access Notes". Cowal Way. http://www.cowalway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Cowal-Way-multi-use-access-notes-updated-Aug-2017-pdf.pdf. Retrieved 2018-08-19.
- ↑ "Who We Are". Colintraive and Glendaruel Development Trust. https://www.lochlomondandcowalway.org/who-we-are/. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
- ↑ "Cowal Way becomes Loch Lomond & Cowal Way". Loch Lomond and Cowal Way. 2018-11-01. http://www.cowalway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2018-LLCW-Name-Change-Press-Release-Nov18.pdf. Retrieved 2019-01-03.
- ↑ "The Cowal Way joins the SGT family". Scotland's Great Trails. 2016-10-20. http://www.scotlandsgreattrails.com/cowal-way-20-october-2016/. Retrieved 2018-08-19.
- ↑ "Cowal Way News". Cowal Way. Autumn 2015. http://www.cowalway.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/CW-Newsletter1.pdf. Retrieved 2018-08-22.
- ↑ "FAQs". Colintraive and Glendaruel Development Trust. https://www.lochlomondandcowalway.org/faqs/. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
- ↑ "Arrochar to Inveruglas". Three Lochs Way. http://threelochsway.co.uk/the-route/arrochar-inveruglas/. Retrieved 2018-08-20.
- ↑ "Lochgoilhead to Inveruglas". Colintraive and Glendaruel Development Trust. https://www.lochlomondandcowalway.org/lochgoilhead-to-inveruglas/. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 "The Loch Lomond & Cowal Way". Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. https://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/things-to-do/walking/long-distance-routes/loch-lomond-cowal-way/. Retrieved 1 March 2022.