Rowardennan at the foot of Ben Lomond

Rowardennan lies at the foot of Ben Lomond. Access to Ben Lomond is from Rowardennan on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond; the West Highland Way also passes through the village. If choosing a hotel based on walking trails and scenery, you can distinguish between a short archaeological trail, a long-distance walking route and a route to the summit. Memorial sites on Loch Lomond and access to canoeing and kayaking add to these attractions.

Walking: themed trail, long-distance route and summit

The Ardess Hidden History Trail is 1.5 km long and easy to walk. It passes through the lower woodland and links around a dozen archaeological features. At Ardess Cruck House, you can see an example of a type of building used in the area until the early 19th century; the house was built from local natural materials. The trail combines a short walk with archaeological interest, while two other routes cover different distances: the West Highland Way passes through Rowardennan and is an official long-distance walking route that is 154 km (96 miles) in total. The Ptarmigan Path leads to the summit of Ben Lomond, which is 3,192 feet high. A large part of the slope along the Ptarmigan Path is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The figures refer to different things: 1.5 km to the Ardess trail, 154 km to the full route and 3,192 feet to the summit destination.

Memorial sites on Loch Lomond

The Ben Lomond Memorial Trail leads to a sculpture on the shore of Loch Lomond commemorating Scots who lost their lives in the two world wars. The circular sculpture, made of stone and granite, is 3 m high; it was created by Scottish artist Doug Cocker and stands at a viewpoint, just a short walk from the car park in Rowardennan. The memorial site is also part of a wider setting: the landscape around Ben Lomond was officially designated a war memorial in 1995 and is dedicated to all those who fell in conflict.

Water activities and tours

Rowardennan provides access to canoeing and kayaking on the eastern side of Loch Lomond. Another water-based option is the West Highland Way Rambler Cruise, which combines a boat trip with a 7-mile walk from Rowardennan to Inversnaid, followed by a return boat trip to Tarbet.

Getting there and facilities

The road to Rowardennan is well signposted from Drymen. The car park marks the end of the road, 12 miles from Drymen. There are no bus services to Rowardennan. During the summer months, a limited water bus runs directly from Luss or Tarbet to Rowardennan. Services may change; check current connections and timetables before travelling.

Facilities in Rowardennan include a hotel, bar meals, tea and coffee, toilets, a youth hostel, bed-and-breakfast accommodation, a bunkhouse and paid parking. If you are specifically looking for a hotel, distinguish this option from the other types of accommodation listed. Individual services may change, so check that your preferred option is available before booking.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Bruichladdich, Bowmore, Port Bannatyne, Rhu, Craignure, Colintraive, Cairnbaan, Bridge Of Orchy.

For the regional travel overview: Argyll And Bute.