Loch Lomond - Local Information
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Dates: 30th March - 29th September 2012
Tel: 01389 850 226
Reception opening times: 3pm - 11pm. Loch Lomond Hostel is closed daily between 10am - 3pm.
Catering: The evening meal is available between 6:30pm and 9:00pm. The last meal order is 8:30pm.
NB: Loch Lomond is not a 24 hour Hostel. The hostel front door closes at 11pm, there is no entry possible after this time.
Weddings & functions
viewings by appointment only
Please note that we do not accept stag or hen parties at any of our hostels.
Local Attractions
Inversnaid
Situated on the east side of Loch Lomond, the property extends to 2173ha and includes the summit of Ben Lomond, Scotland’s most southerly Munro
Rowardennan, By Drymen G63 0AR
Clydebank Museum
Home to exhibitions about Clydebank and its people
Garshake Road, Dumbarton G82 3PU
Dumbarton Castle
Historic fortifications on and around a plug of volcanic rock
Loch Lomond Leisure Scotland
Offering a wide range of boat tours and activity packages
Geilston Garden
Developed over 200 hundred years ago, a testimony to good landscape design
Cardross, Dumbarton G82 5HD
Glenarn
A private garden largely created and originally made famous for its collection of species rhododendrons by the Gibson family
Glenarn Road, Rhu, Helensburgh G84 8LL
Hill House
The Hill House is considered to be Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s finest domestic creation. Upper Colquhoun Street Helensburgh G84 9AJ
Knowetop Community Farm
Based at the top of Castlehill in Dumbarton, the farm is a favourite attraction for families, volunteers, tourists and animal lovers alike
113 Castlehill Rd, Castlehill, Dumbarton G82 5AT
Linn Botanic Gardens
The gardens are a designed landscape of the late 20th century. They straddle an old sea cliff which is broken by the gully of the Meikle burn with its waterfalls
Cove, Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire G84 0NR
Loch Lomond
Scotland's largest inland loch, and one of its most popular
Loch Lomond Highland Games
Held mid July at Balloch
Loch Lomond Shores
Shopping centre and visitor attraction at the south end of Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond Seaplanes
Seaplane trips from Loch Lomond and scheduled flights from the River Clyde
Maid of the Loch
Paddle steamer undergoing restoration on Loch Lomond
Scottish Maritime Museum
Denny Ship Model Experiment Tank, Dumbarton
Sweeney's Cruises
Enjoy Loch Lomond in all its seasonal beauty in style and comfort. Balloch, Alexandria, G83 8SS
Eating & Drinking
La Scarpetta
Balloch Road, Balloch, Alexandria, G83 8SS
Tel: 01389 758247
Maid of the Loch
Loch Lomond Steamship Company
The Pier, Pier Road, Balloch G83 8QX
Tel: 01389 711865
The Lomond Park Hotel
Balloch Rd, Balloch, Alexandria, Dunbartonshire, G83 8SR, 01389 752494
The Ben Lomond Restaurant
Venue and Craft Shop. Tarbet
By Arrochar, G83 7DA
The Coach House
Coffee Shop and Loch Lomond Trading Co.
Loch Lomond
The Ettrick
159 Dumbarton Road, Old Kilpatrick
Knockderry House Hotel
204 Shore Road, Cove, G84 0NX
Loch Lomond Castle Bar and Restaurant
Quality bar and restaurant overlooking Loch Lomond
Arden, Argyll, G83 8RB
MacGillivray's Scottish Gifts and Coffee Shop
89 W Clyde Street, Helensburgh, G84 8BB
The Tullie Inn
Balloch Road, Balloch, G83 8SW
Groups
Loch Lomond Shores
Scotland’s most spectacular visitor destination combining the beautiful environment with an outstanding mixture of leisure and shopping experiences overlooking the majesty of Loch Lomond at Balloch
Loch Lomond Shores, Ben Lomond Way, Balloch, G83 8QL
Tel: 01389 751 035
Can You Experience
A wide range of outdoor activities suitable for groups of all interests and abilities.
Loch Lomond Shores Visitor Centre, Balloch, West Dunbartonshire ,G83 8QL
Tel: 01389 756 251
Sweeney’s Cruises
A family-run business which has been operating boats on Loch Lomond for over 100 years.
Balloch, Dunbartonshire, G83 8SS
Tel: 01389 752 376
Loch Lomond Aquarium
Prepare for astonishing close views of everything from humble starfish to mighty sharks.
SEA LIFE, Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch, G83 8QL
Tel: 01389 721 500
Active & Adventure
Cycling
Easy Routes
Glasgow to Loch Lomond
Glasgow to Falkirk Wheel
The Trossachs
Hilly Routes
Loch Lomond to Aberfoyle
The Trossachs
Loch Tay
Also
- Golf
- Fishing
- Sailing
- Sea canoeing
- wind-surfing
- kayaking
- water skiing
- Horse riding
Walkers
Achray Water Bridge
This forest walk takes you through an area of regenerating native woodland
Distance: 3.7km/2.3miles, Duration:2hrs
Allt a' Cham-ruidhe
A gentle walk, which is part of the Three Lochs Forest Drive
Distance: 2km/1.25miles, Duration: 1hr, Height Gain: 15 metres/49.5 feet
Ben A'an, Loch Katrine & the Trossachs
This short walk displays breathtaking views out over the Trossachs National Park
Distance: 3.2km/2miles, Duration: 1 1/2hrs, Height Gain: 454 metres/1498 feet
Ben Ledi
One of the best viewpoints in the area
Distance: 8km/5miles, Duration: 4hrs, Height Gain: 760 metres/2508 feet
Ben Lomond
This circular walk climbs Ben Lomond, the most southerly of the Munros
Distance: 11km/6.9miles, Duration: 5hrs, Height Gain: 1000 metres/3300 feet
Ben Lui
This walk climbs one of Scotlands highest and most spectacular mountains.
Distance: 21 km/13 miles, Duration: 7hrs, Height Gain: 1050 metres/3465 feet
Ben Vane from Inveruglas
This walk starts at the tourist car park on the A82 by Sloy Power Station
Distance: 12km/7.5miles, Duration: 6hrs, Height Gain: 950 metres/3135 feet
Ben Venue
This Ben Venue walk involves heading west until joining the path at Gleann Riabhach
Distance: 14km/8.75miles, Duration: 6hrs
Ben Vorlich and Stuc a' Chroin
On the southern edge of the Highlands
Distance: 13km/8.1miles, Duration: 6 1/2hrs, Height Gain: 1140 metres/3762 feet
Ben Vorlich from Ardlui
This walk ascends one Munro, Ben Vorlich
Distance: 10km/6.25miles, Duration: 5 1/2hrs, Height Gain: 1150 metres/3795 feet
Callander Crags & Bracklinn Falls
A dramatic and exhilarating walk starting in the centre of Callander
Distance: 6.5km/4miles, Duration: 2 1/2hrs
Callander to Strathyre
A long, but flat walk along a disused railway
Distance: 13.5km/8.4miles, Duration: 5hrs
Conic Hill from Balmaha
A short/steep climb from Balmaha to Conic Hill with wonderful views over Loch Lomond
Distance: 3 km/1.8 miles, Duration: 2hrs 30 mins Height Gain: 350 metres/1155 feet
Creag Noran Viewpoint
The walk takes you through a regenerating native woodland
Distance: 0.8km/0.5miles, Duration: 1/2 hour
Creag an Tuirc, Balquhidder
A short but extremely rewarding walk from secluded Balquidder
Distance: 4km/2.5miles, Duration: 2hrs
Creag na H-Lolaire
This walk is part of The Three Lochs Forest Drive
Distance: 4.4km/2.75miles, Duration: 1 3/4hrs
Cruach Tairbeirt Walks
An undulating woodland walk which offers excellent views
Distance: 7.5km/4.7miles, Duration: 3hrs, Height Gain: 450 metres/1485 feet
Drymen to Balmaha
This section of the West Highland Way is an excellent intro to the National Park
Distance: 13km/8.1miles, Duration: 5hrs, Height Gain: 350 metres/1155 feet
Duncryne Hill, East Lomondside
From the top of the hill the main focal point is no other than the beautiful Loch Lomond
Distance: 1km/0.6 miles, Duration: 15 mins Height Gain: 80 metres/264 feet
Glen Finglas Dam Walk
This short walk leads to a viewpoint over Glen Finglas Dam
Distance: 2.5kms/1.6miles, Duration: 1 1/2hrs, Height Gain: 10 metres/33 feet
Glen Loin Footpath: Arrochar to Inveruglas
This walk offers stunning views of the surrounding highest peaks
Distance: 17km/10.6miles, Duration: 3hrs, Height Gain: 250 metres/825 feet
Green Sound Trail
This walk takes you along the shore of Loch Drunkie
Distance: 2.5km/1.6miles, Duration: 1 3/4hrs
Helensburgh Upland Way
A short ramble through woods and along forest tracks with extensive views
Distance: 3km/1.9miles, Duration: 1 1/2hrs
Inverarnan to Loch Lomond
This walk follows the line of the West Highland Way through woodland
Distance: 9.5km/5.9miles, Duration: 3 1/2hrs
Loch Achray
This walk is part of The Three Lochs Forest Drive
Distance: 2.5km/1.6miles, Duration: 1hr
Loch Ard Forest from Aberfoyle
A pleasant walk from Milton to Couligartan returning along the scenic shores of Loch Ard
Distance: 17km/11 miles, Duration: 5hrs, Height Gain: 170 metres/560 feet
Loch Venachar, near Callander
This walk follows forest tracks high above Loch Venachar with spectacular views
Distance: 6.5km/4miles, Duration: 2 1/2hrs, Height Gain: 140 metres/462 feet
Meall nan Tarmachan (Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park)
One of the most commonly climbed hills in the southern Highlands
Distance: 7km/4.4miles, Duration: 3hrs, Height Gain: 550 metres/49.5 feet
Pass of Leny
A short and in places, strenuous walk high above the Pass of Leny and Falls of Leny
Distance: 3.25km/2.03miles, Duration: 2hrs, Height Gain: 164 metres/541.2 feet
Pine Ridge
This walk is part of the Three Lochs Forest Drive and offers fine views
Distance: 1.2km/0.75miles, Duration: 1/2hr
Red Sound Trail
A gentle walk, which is part of the Three Lochs Forest Drive
Distance: 1.8km/1.1miles, Duration: 1 hour
The Rob Roy Way
A weeks walk from Drymen to the Highland Perthshire town of Pitlochry
Distance: 148km/92.5 miles, Duration: 7 days, Height Gain: 500 metres/1650 feet
Stoneymollan Trail, Balloch
An exhilarating walk from Cardross on the Firth of Clyde to Balloch on Loch Lomondside
Distance: 7.5km/4.7miles, Duration: 3 1/2hrs
The Cobbler
Although not a Munro, The Cobbler is a hill not to be missed
Distance: 9km/5.6 miles, Duration: 4 hours Height Gain: 890 metres/2937 feet
The Greenock Cut Walk
This level walk has great views of the Clyde, Loch Lomond, Cowal and Greenock
Distance:10.5km/5.5miles, Duration: 4hrs, Height Gain: 80 metres/264 feet
Through the Whangie!
This is a pleasant short walk to a hidden gash in rocks, known as The Whangie
Distance: 4km/2.5 miles, Duration: 1 1/2hrs, Height Gain: 155 metres/511.5 feet
West Achray
Enjoy the diversity of Achray Forest as the trail leads you through native woodland
Distance: 5.5km/3.4miles, Duration: 2 1/2hrs
West Highland Way
Scotland's original long distance path running from Glasgow to Fort William
Distance: 152km/95 miles, Duration: 7-10 days, Height Gain: 800 metres/2650 feet
West Highland Way Rambler
Here's a walk with a difference along one of the UK's most popular long distance routes
Distance: 14.4km/9miles, Duration: 4hrs, Height Gain: 30 metres/99 feet
Disclaimer: All walking routes are hosted on external sites, therefore SYHA can hold no responsibility towards their accuracy. SYHA would also like to acknowledge the British Mountaineering Council Participation Statement: "The BMC recognises that climbing and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions".
Wildlife
Warblers, flycatchers, redstarts, greylag geese, buzzards, peregrines, falcons, ospreys, capercaillies , golden eagles and deer.
Inversnaid RSPB Reserve
This beautiful reserves lies on the edge of Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond NNR
Famous for its beautiful wooded shores and islands. The reserve embraces five of the loch's islands, each supporting rich, mature oak woodland
Hostel Assistant
"Being situated close to the banks of Loch Lomond, the largest surface area of fresh water in the UK, means that there is a wealth of activities for you to try, including water skiing, fishing, nature trails and cycling!"