We will be going up hill but this is a fairly gentle moderate walk, grading C+ to B, through autumnal woods on good paths of assorted surfaces: everything from tarmac to rough, rooty and boggy. It is 9 miles with 175 meters ascent.
From Balloch shore, we follow formal paths through Balloch Castle Country Park. Then we are in mixed woodland and the nature reserve of Whinny Hill. The climb to Knockour Hill is gradual and our routes up and back are varied to form two loops. The views of River Leven and Loch Lomond are spectacular.
We will meet at Morrison’s, Stevenston at 8.30am to share cars then drive to Balloch where there is free parking at Loch Lomond Shores (red, green or blue car parks). These are big car parks so to make finding each other easy, we will assemble in front of the shops/aquarium at 9.30am.
Early in the walk we will go by Balloch Rail Station, so anyone travelling by train may join the walk there. Just let the walk leader know.