A walk across the Cowal peninsula in the west of Scotland from Loch Fyne to Loch Long, through little known and remote countryside within reach of Glasgow. Features grassy hills and heather moorland, forest plantations, prehistoric heritage and superbly rich wildlife.

Divided into six one day sections, with an additional seven circular walks linked to the main route. Note that some sections are remote and strenuous, and signing can be sparse so some experience and map reading skills are required for the whole route.

The trail was conceived by Colintraive and Glendaruel Community Council and opened in 2003.

Update. For information about the annual open day in May celebrating the Way, see our Walker's Diary page.

Public Transport

Portavadie can be reached by bus from Dunoon, which is connected by ferry (Caledonian MacBrayne, www.calmac.co.uk) to Gourock for regular rail services to Glasgow. There is also a ferry from Portavadie itself to Tarbert on the neighbouring Kintyre peninsula. A number of other key points on the route also have bus services: Tighnabruaich, Clachan of Glendaruel, Glendaruel, Glenbranter and Lochgoilhead have links to Dunoon; and Lochgoilhead has links with Ardgatan, Arrochar and Helensburgh (though some services may be infrequent or operate only on certain days of the week). From Ardgatan there is a bus or 6km walk to Arrochar which has four trains daily on the West Highland Line to Glasgow, Dunbarton Central, Crianlarich, Oban, For William and Mallaig. Contact local Tourist Information Centres for further information. For enquiry lines, see Public Transport for Walkers.

Publications

Local authority
Argyll and Bute

Connecting routes
None

Parks and countryside
None

Maps
Explorer 362, 363, 364
More about maps

Visitor information
Ardgatan
Dunoon

Accommodation
Click here for
 B&B listings or contact Visitor Information Centres above.

Holiday providers
About Argyll