This route takes you from Benmore Botanic Garden along the banks of the Rivers Massan and Eachaig on woodland paths and the old road.
Calculated time: 2h20[?] 
Distance : 4.91mi
Vertical gain : 102ft
Vertical drop : 131ft
Highest point : 135ft
Lowest point : 23ft 
Difficulty : Easy
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Area : Loch Lomond and The Trossachs 
Location : Argyll and Bute
Starting point : N 56.026039° / W 4.981058° The route starts from the car park at Benmore Botanic Garden.
(D/A) Cross the A815 and follow the old road just past Eckford House.
(1) Turn to the right, re-cross the main road and follow the track over the River Eachaig using the iron footbridge.
(2) Turn left and follow the river as far as the junction with the Glen Massan road. Crossing the road diagonally to the left, cross the road bridge and follow the narrow path up the right bank of the River Massan. Some of the path is uneven but passable. After about 500 metres, the path curves away from the river and joins a forest road up Glen Massan.
(3) Turn left and follow the forest road for a few metres and then, take the first track to the right. The track passes a gate and through a disused gravel pit, continuing through a small mature forest plantation.
(4) On rejoining the Glen Massan road, you have the option of a delightful loop down and along the River Eachaig. Join the loop by walking down the Eachaig road to the right for 200 metres, the loop is signposted to the left by Scottish Woodlands, Deargacha Walk.
(5) Rejoin the Glen Massan road turning right, and after a kilometre cross over the stone bridge over the Massan. Here again, turn right and rejoin the track following the River Eachaig. Continue along this river track, passing the old iron bridge (2) and the weir. After a further kilometre, you reach a second bridge. Cross it to enter the Benmore Garden car park.(D/A)
Waypoints :
D/A : mi 0 - alt. 66ft - Benmore Garden car park - Benmore Garden car park
1 : mi 0.54 - alt. 85ft - Main Road
2 : mi 0.79 - alt. 43ft - Old iron bridge - Old iron bridge
3 : mi 1.86 - alt. 102ft - Forest road
4 : mi 2.43 - alt. 49ft - Glen Massan road
5 : mi 3.69 - alt. 49ft - Glen Massan road
D/A : mi 4.91 - alt. 66ft - Benmore Garden car park - Benmore Garden car park
Mostly on even flat ground, but with a short stretch on narrow/uneven ground.
Walkers should wear walking boots and suitable clothing and follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
By public transport : Get the train to Gourock station, which is a 3-minute walk to the ferry terminal, where Argyll Ferries sail from Gourock to Dunoon. When you arrive in Dunoon, Castle Gardens bus stop is around a 2-minute walk from the ferry terminal. Here take the 489 service (West Coast Motors) bus to Benmore Botanic Gardens. For more details, visit the Traveline Scotland website.
By car & ferry :
• Travel to McInroy’s Point just west of Gourock and take the car ferry with Western Ferries to Hunters Quay. Take the A815 westwards following signs for the Botanic Gardens.
• Or take the A82 north to Loch Lomond. Turn onto the A83 at Tarbet and change to the A815 at Strachur. After passing Loch Eck on your right follow signs for the Botanic Gardens (approximately 1hr45min, 75 miles).
This content is subject to copyright. It belongs to Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority and comes from : www.lochlomond-trossachs.org
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
8.91mi
+2192ft
-2165ft
6h00
Moderate
Starting point in Argyll and Bute The highest peak in Cowal (741 metres) offers wonderful views of Loch Eck, the Clyde Estuary and north and west to the Highlands and islands.
3.59mi
+1217ft
-1207ft
2h45
Moderate
Starting point in Scotland Strone Hill overlooks the village of Strone and offers superb views over the Firth of Clyde and its sea lochs. On a clear day, it is possible to see over to Arran, the Arrochar Alps and down the Clyde to Inversnaid Tarbet Glasgow.
7.22mi
+308ft
-312ft
3h35
Easy
Starting point in Inverclyde Designated as an Ancient Monument, The Greenock Cut is an aqueduct built in the 1820s to supply water from Loch Thom to Greenock. The 11.5km route is full of interesting features which is probably why it has been rated one of the top 50 walks in Scotland! It is an easy walk along surfaced minor roads, gravel tracks and grassy footpaths. You will be rewarded with fantastic views to Greenock, Gourock, the River Clyde and the southern Scottish mountains.
5.88mi
+430ft
-423ft
3h05
Moderate
Starting point in Inverclyde Good trails take you along to Corlic Hill summit (303 m / 994 ft) on the north-eastern perimeter of Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, less than an hour's drive from Glasgow. On a clear day you will enjoy exceptional views down into the Clyde Valley, across to the Cowal Peninsula and over towards the southern Highlands. The return section takes you past the ancient ruins of Burnhead and Glenbrae farmsteads and between the tranquil Gryfe reservoirs.
3.86mi
+49ft
-49ft
1h50
Easy
Starting point in Argyll and Bute This walk connects the highlights of Toward on the Cowal Peninsula in Argyle and Bute. It includes a coastal walk, ruins, a lighthouse and small quay. The views along the coast are breath-taking.
1.71mi
+148ft
-138ft
0h55
Easy
Starting point in North Ayshire This is a short circular route which has a steep incline halfway through. It links the main areas of interest in Rothesay with a woodland and seafront stroll allowing views across Rothesay Bay.
8.05mi
+801ft
-787ft
4h25
Moderate
Starting point in North Ayshire By combining the High and Low route options of the Ayrshire Coastal Path at Largs, you can create this circular route to the top of Knock Hill (268m / 879 ft) and back again. Enjoy panoramic views across the Firth of Clyde to the Cowal Peninsula, southern Highlands, Isle of Cumbrae and Arran, as well as down into the town of Largs itself.
6.97mi
+531ft
-545ft
3h40
Easy
Starting point in North Ayshire Starting at the ferry slip on the Isle of Cumbrae, you will head uphill to the Glaid Stone, the island’s highest point, before descending into Millport. From here you walk back via the quiet Ferry Road. Along the way enjoy the views across to the Isle of Bute, Isle of Arran, Little Cumbrae and the hills of Ayrshire. You will pass several small lochs, a mineral well and the Cathedral of the Isles (Britain’s smallest cathedral). Not forgetting the famous Crocodile Rock!
For more walks, use our search engine.
The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
