Cowal Way
The Cowal Way; is a waymarked footpath through the Cowal peninsula of Argyllshire. It runs 57 miles between Portavadie on Cowal (55°52’37"N, 5°18’48"W) and Inveruglas on Loch Lomond side (56°15’5"N, 4°42’31"W).
The route was wstablished in 2000. It runs for fifty-seven miles along the length of the Cowal Peninsula through some of the most beautiful and varied landscape in this accessible part of the Highlands. On the way, the route passes by or through Tighnabruaich, Glendaruel, Strachur, Lochgoilhead and Arrochar, making use of pre-existing footpaths, forestry tracks, hillsides, quiet roads and traditional rights of way. The views from the way display the lochs, forests and hills. It reaches a peak at 1,706 feet above sea level as it passes below the summit of Cnoc Coinnich.
Route
The southern trailhead at Portavadie is on the shore of Loch Fyne, close to its mouth on the Firth of Clyde. The route then runs eastwards, inland, up into the hills, past the ruined Asgog Castle and Asgog Loch and over and down to Kames on the shore of the Kyles of Bute, looking over to the Isle of Bute. The Cowal Way then heads north along the shoreline of the Kyles and Loch Riddon before heading into the hills once again, up the River Ruel and to Dunans Castle high on its course, after passing numerous historical sights and viewpoints.
From Dunan the path runs through the forest of Strath nan Lub and Glen Branter to the Allt Robuic Gorge and down to Strachur on Loch Fyne before crossing the peninsula again, below Beinn Lochain, to Lochgoilhead and on to Arrochar, at the head of Loch Long.
The final strech north from Lochgoilhead comes to Inveruglas on Loch Lomond.
From Inveruglas, a ferry crosses the loch to the hotel on the eastern shore, thus connecting the route to the West Highland Way.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Cowal Way) |
References
- The Cowal Way – WalkHighlands
- Cowal Way – LDWA
- Cowal Way – GPS Routes
