Introduction The walks day by day Am I fit enough? Cowal Way as a 6- or 7-day holiday Walking part of the Cowal Way Accommodation Clothing and equipment Dates and prices Booking

Introduction

Loch Riddon and Kyles of Bute

The Cowal Way is a long distance footpath running the length of the Cowal Peninsula. It starts in the SW at Portavadie beside Loch Fyne and finishes in the NE at Ardgartan, by Loch Long. It is 47 miles/75 km long, climbing 5050 ft/1540 m on the way.

This long distance route follows existing rights of way and public roads, most of which are extremely quiet, or cross Forestry Commission land, which includes a good deal of open hill. Access is not an issue, but don't expect the line to be waymarked everywhere; the route descriptions should always be read with care.

The 'spine' of the Cowal Way is divided into six sections of varying length and difficulty. The long distance path takes in many places and themes of interest which you might like to explore, including natural, scenic and historical and cultural heritage. Fit walkers will certainly be able to cover the distance in 4 days, if they want to, and use the other days for some loop walks.

Cowal is part of Argyll, in the southwest of the Scottish highlands. Paradoxically, at one and the same time it's very accessible yet very little known. Despite its barriers of sea and hill, this is especially surprising because there is so much to recommend it's beauty, great peace and wildness, together with a long and fascinating history.

Section 1: Portavadie - Tighnabruaich Section 2: Tighnabruaich - Clachan of Glendaruel Section 3: Glendaruel Section 4: Glendaruel - Strachur Section 5: Strachur - Lochgoilhead Section 6: Lochgoilhead - Arrochar

Day 1
Afternoon: journey from Glasgow to accommodation in Tighnabruaich.

Day 2 - Section 1: Portavadie - Tighnabruaich

We begin with a very varied walk through the land of the Lamonts. Starting and finishing by sea lochs, it traverses planted forests, the shores of a lochan by a ruined castle, green pastures, a small village with a ruined gunpowder works, a golf course and broadleaved woods. Oh, and there are magnificent views of Arran, Tighnabruaich and the Kyles of Bute. Practically the whole of Cowal in miniature!

The going is varied, too. There are forest roads, quiet stretches of public road, and a lot of path - some clear and good, some better described as 'trods'. There are also a few short pathless stretches, but no really big climbs; instead the route as a whole is gently undulating. Take your time, and enjoy it.

Day 3 - Section 2: Tighnabruaich - Clachan of Glendaruel
Beginning as a glorious coastal walk beside the Kyles of Bute and Loch Riddon, to-day's route continues along public roads into quiet Glendaruel. Quitting the Victorian splendour of Tighnabruaich's villas and gardens, our route north is initially along easy forest roads, with sea birds and scenery for company. Beyond Glen Caladh there is a much rougher stretch beside the shore, then up through dense woodland to Craig Lodge. It's not very far, but do allow plenty of time for this section, especially if the tide's in. An hour is not too much. Take a breather by Craig Lodge - the view from the pier is good and you deserve it. From here on, the route is mostly flat and on roads, but compensated by the surrounding woods and waters, fields and hills. Take care at the broken bridge beyond Waulkmill.

8.5 miles/14 km, 560 ft/170 m ascent, moderate to streneous

Day 4 - Section 3: Glendaruel

Today's walk is best taken slowly to savour the peace and quiet of this ancient glen. The distance is not great, and there is virtually no climb. Having time, then, before you leave the Clachan, Kilmodan church and the collection of late-medieval carved graveslabs in their churchyard building, are well worth a tiny detour. When ready to set out, our route lies along the west glen road, a delightful backwater.... but Glendaruel is the kind of place where even the main road is not very busy.

5.5 miles/9 km, 200 ft ascent/60 m, very easy

Day 5 - Section 4: Glendaruel - Strachur
Today you'll probably see very few people, if any at all, between the farm at Garvie and the first houses at Glenbranter as you cross a remote pass. The walking is easy underfoot, being on forest tracks throughout once beyond Garvie. On the way up, from open ground, there are good views to Creag Tharsuinn's high ridge and back to Glendaruel. Once much beyond the dam and into the forest, a stony burn is frequently seen burbling away attractively (and sometimes accessibly) on your left, with a stretch of rapids and mini-falls by point 9. Having crossed the pass, the steep, rugged mountains around Loch Eck come into view from lower down Glen Branter. If you're early enough, think about going round the loop of the Lauder walk from point 15 - it's a lovely wooded gorge.
A gently pastoral walk on peaceful back roads takes us from Glenbranter to Strachur

12 miles/19.5 km, 1250 ft/380 m ascent, easy

Loch Fyne from Strachur (photo David Fiddes)

Day 6 - Section 5: Strachur - Lochgoilhead
Now we're really into mountain country, crossing a wild pass between high hills. There is some beautiful wild landscape on the way, especially beyond the summit of the Bealach an Lochain, notably a hill loch, enormous rockfalls, a rocky burn with a really superb waterfall and great views over Loch Goil. But first a gently walk from Strachur to Succoth Farm. After this, forest roads take us steeply, but otherwise easily, almost to the summit of our pass. Now comes the really hard stuff. Over the bealach, beside Curra Lochan and down its burn there is much tussock and bog, only intermittently threaded by sketchy path, before a last forest track leads more easily down to Loch Goil and the road to Lochgoilhead. Take things slowly and enjoy the scenery. River crossings can occasionally give difficulty on this section: read the route description carefully.

8 miles/13.5 km, 689 ft/210 m ascent, strenuous

Above Lochgoilhead

Day 7 - Section 6: Lochgoilhead - Arrochar

A day surrounded by big mountains and spectacular scenery. The Cobbler's 'shark's fin' of a South Peak is a feature of the ascent away to our left, and, as we reach the summit of a high pass, the views back include far away island hills. Ahead Ben Lomond makes an elegant cone. Oddly, we are in countryside once wholly owned by the City of Glasgow! From 1905 to 1965, the city used these Ardgoil hills, gifted to it by Lord Rowallan, for the benefit of all of its citizens, and they are still very much a playground and 'lung' for Clydesiders.
Big mountains, then, and a higher pass than the Bealach an Lochain, but easier going underfoot. There is always some trodden line at the very least, few tussocks, and much of our way is on track, path and tarmac.

10 miles/15 km, 1770 ft/540 m ascent, moderate to strenuous

Day 8
Morning: journey back to Glasgow.

Am I fit enough?

If you walk regularly, especially if you walk in the country or on rough paths, the answer is probably yes. Age itself is no problem. Very fit men and women in their seventies can cope with this walk and others like it. Only on 1 day, you will walk more than 10 miles/16 km. Having said all this, you will have to cope with rough going on ground that is sometimes steep, wet or broken because the West Highlands and Islands are like that.

If you're still not sure whether or not you can cope after you've read this and the details of the week's walks, please get in touch to discuss it further.

Accommodation and transport

You will stay in carefully selected B&B's. You can rely on the quality of the accommodation that we find for you - its comfort, its food and the welcoming nature of those who run it.
Each day transport between your B&B and the start and the end of the walk is provided and luggage transfer when you move to the next B&B. We also provide transport from and to Glasgow at the start and the end of the week.

If you have particular requirements, please let us know so that we can do our best to meet them.
Details of where you will be staying will be sent to you well in advance of your holiday.

Clothing and equipment

You will need to bring boots with a good tread, warm clothing, waterproofs and a rucksack big enough for your spare clothes, a packed lunch and whatever else you normally like to have with you (binoculars, a camera, etc.). Boots are especially important. They don't have to be particularly heavy, but wearing ultra lightweight ones may mean your feet get wet and trainers definitely aren't adequate nor, on some of the rougher and steeper going, however short it may be, are they safe.

Dates and prices for 2008/2009
Description	8, 7 or 6 days, accommodation in B&B's and guesthouses along the way
Walks	8 days: 5.5-12 miles (9-19 km) daily, with a mix of path, tracks, quiet roads and some rough going. 7 days: 6.5-14.5 miles (13.5-23.5 km) daily, with a mix of path, tracks, quiet roads and some rough going. 6 days: 8-17.5 miles (13.5-28.5 km) daily, with a mix of path, tracks, quiet roads and some rough going.
Code	Date	B&B	Comments
CW - 8 days	You can start any day from April - October	£455.00	Minimum of 2 persons per party Single room supplement £50.00 Own car £35/person discount; max £105/party
CW - 7 days	You can start any day from April - October	£420.00	Minimum of 2 persons per party Single room supplement £35.00 Own car £35.00/person discount; max £105/party
CW - 6 days	You can start any day from April - October	£385.00	Minimum of 2 persons per party Single room supplement £35.00 Own car £35.00/person discount; max £105/party

The price includes:

• Guide-book: The Cowal Way by John Fisher.
• Carefully selected B&B's plus picnic lunches on walking days.
• Transport from/to Glasgow/Glasgow airport at the beginning and end.
• Transport as needed to the start of the walk and/or from the end back to your accommodation.
• Luggage transport

For full details on booking and insurance, please click here.