Portavadie to Ardgartan near Arrochar
75km/47 miles
Signed
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
- The Cowal Way in Argyll by John Fisher, ISBN 0 9540395 0 5. Colintraive and Glendaruel Community Council, £4.99 + p&p from Dunoon Visitor Information Centre (see right) or via link below.
Comprehensive guidebook with outline maps, though should be used in conjunction with Ordnance Survey sheets.
Contacts
Region
Local authority
Maps
362,
363, 364 More about maps
Visitor information
Accommodation
Click here for B&B listings or contact Visitor Information Centres above.
Holiday providers
