The Three Lochs Way: Helensburgh to Garelochhead
Contents
Three Lochs Way marker post |
The Three Lochs Way is a 32-mile (52-kilometre) route that begins at Balloch, and which leads through Helensburgh, Garelochhead and Arrochar, to finish at Inveruglas. It is described in detail at the official Three Lochs Way website.
The present article is a collection of photographs illustrating the second stage of the walk, namely, the 6½ mile long (10½ km) section between Helensburgh and Garelochhead. A full description and map of this section of the Three Lochs Way can be found at the official website; walkers should refer to that site for details of the route, and for any updates.
As for the present article, it should not be used as a guide to the Three Lochs Way; it is simply a photographic record of the walk, intended to complement the map and description given at the official site.
For a similar article about the first stage of the walk, see The Three Lochs Way: Balloch to Helensburgh.
Helensburgh to Garelochhead
From the Hill House to Drumfad Wood
The photographs below were taken between Upper Colquhoun Street, where this second stage of the route begins beside the Hill House, and the eastern edge of Drumfad Wood.From Drumfad Wood to the Black Bridge
These photos show the ascent along the eastern edge of Drumfad Wood, and then the descent towards a road that leads through Glen Fruin. The path meets this road not far from the Black Bridge.Some parts of this section of the route were later improved; in the caption to some of these views, I have therefore added links to later pictures, showing the upgraded path.
(left) The ascent along the eastern edge of Drumfad Wood (after improvement) (middle) Looking back downhill (after improvement) (right) Reaching the corner of the woods (after improvement) | |||
(left) Leaving Drumfad Wood (middle) Passing a smaller patch of woodland (right) The start of an improved section of the footpath | |||
(left) Crossing the Green Burn (middle) Descending towards the road (right) Joining the road |
From the Black Bridge to Auchengaich
An ancient cross slab can be seen from the road in front of the old schoolhouse. That building is not on the Three Lochs Way, and is not shown below, but it is only a short distance from the Black Bridge, which is on the route.Another ancient cross slab can be seen from the road when passing Ballevoulin Farm. A little further on, the route passes the ruins of Auchenvennel.
(left) Ballevoulin Farm, as seen from the road (middle) Cross-marked stone at Ballevoulin (right) The remains of Auchenvennel |
From the road, near Auchengaich Farm, a cairn can be seen in a field. It used to be thought that the cairn was connected with the Battle of Glen Fruin, which took place in 1603, but it is now known to date from the Bronze Age. For a genuine memorial to the battle of Glen Fruin, see below.
From Auchengaich to the Yankee Road
From this point onwards, the route has a distinctly military feel.The second stage of the Three Lochs Way ends at the start of the so-called Yankee Road.
(left) More military relics near the route (middle) A Three Lochs Way signpost (right) The second stage of the route ends here |
I will not be walking stages 3 and 4 of the route, but the relevant pages on the official website are as follows:
Stage 3: Garelochhead to Arrochar
Stage 4: Arrochar to Inveruglas