Rowardennan lies on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond at the foot of Ben Lomond. The mountain is accessed from here, and the West Highland Way also passes through the village. You can choose between different options, including a summit route, a long-distance trail, an archaeological path and memorial sites.
Walking Between the Summit and the Long-Distance Trail
Ben Lomond is accessed from Rowardennan on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond. The Ptarmigan Path leads to the summit, which stands at 3,192 feet. A large part of the slope along the Ptarmigan Path is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The West Highland Way also passes through Rowardennan and is an official long-distance walking route measuring 154 km (96 miles). This means that a specific summit destination and a long-distance route passing through the village offer two different scales of walking.
The Ardess Hidden History Trail offers a different focus: this easy 1.5 km path runs through the lower woodland and links around a dozen archaeological features. Its length and subject make it a distinct option alongside the summit path and the long-distance trail. Ardess Cruck House illustrates a type of building used in the area until the early 19th century; it was built from locally sourced natural materials.
Memorial Sites on Loch Lomond
The Ben Lomond Memorial Trail leads to a memorial sculpture on the shore of Loch Lomond. The circular stone and granite sculpture by Scottish artist Doug Cocker is three metres high and stands at a viewpoint. It is just a short walk from the car park in Rowardennan. It commemorates Scots who lost their lives in the two world wars. The landscape around Ben Lomond has also been officially designated as a war memorial: since 1995, it has been dedicated to all those who fell in conflict.
Water Routes and Getting There
On the eastern side of Loch Lomond, Rowardennan is a starting point for canoeing and kayaking. The West Highland Way Rambler Cruise offers another combination of travel on water and on foot: it combines a boat trip with a seven-mile walk from Rowardennan to Inversnaid, followed by a return boat journey to Tarbet. The options are therefore quite different: you can plan your stay around a walking route or arrange a combination of boat and walking routes.
During the summer months, limited water bus or ferry services run directly from Luss or Tarbet to Rowardennan. As services may change, it is advisable to check the timetable before travelling. There are no bus services to Rowardennan. The road is well signposted from Drymen; it ends at the car park, twelve miles from Drymen.
Where to Stay in Rowardennan
Facilities in Rowardennan include a hotel, bar meals, tea and coffee, toilets, a youth hostel, bed and breakfasts, a bunkhouse and paid parking. If a particular type of accommodation or food is important to your plans, check availability in advance.
Discover more destinations: Helensburgh, Craignure, Connel, Kilbride, Carradale, Ardrishaig, Kingarth, Kirn
For the main travel overview: Argyll And Bute.
