About The Three Lochs Way
At a glance...
Country: Scotland
Group size: Minimum of two (2)
Duration: 9 days / 8 nights
Distance: 34 miles (55 kilometers)
Activity: Hiking and sightseeing
Travel style: Guided
Difficulty grade: Easy to Moderate (See details below)
Comfort: 3-4* hotels
Named for the three stunning lochs (lakes) it traverses along its route — Loch Lomond, Loch Long, and Gare Loch — this 8-day/7-night adventure delivers the best of Scotland within an easy-to-moderate trekking itinerary. It’s a perfect introduction to hiking in this awesome country.
Spanning approximately 34 miles, the trail meanders through some of Scotland’s most breathtaking landscapes, offering a unique blend of natural wonders and cultural heritage while linking a necklace of communities strung along the Clyde Sea Lochs fringe of the country’s first national park.
After exploring Edinburgh with your guide, your hiking journey begins. You’ll start at the renowned Loch Lomond, the largest freshwater lake in Great Britain, where you’ll be treated to amazing vistas of crystal-clear waters reflecting the towering mountains that surround it. The trail winds along the eastern shore of the loch, passing through ancient woodlands, charming villages, and meadows alive with vibrant flora and fauna.
As the path continues, it will gradually lead you into the Arrochar Alps, an area known for its rugged peaks and dramatic landscapes. This section of the trek offers exhilarating challenges and rewards, with breathtaking panoramas of Loch Long stretching out below. The steep slopes, cascading waterfalls, and sheer cliffs make it a photographer’s dream.
Eventually, the route guides walkers towards the tranquil Loch Goil, nestled within the heart of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. Here, the scenery transitions to a more peaceful and idyllic setting, with rolling hills, quaint hamlets, and picturesque shorelines. You’ll top off your itinerary with two-hour boat cruise of Loch Lomond — an amazing way to end your trip!
The Three Locks trek offers an easy-to-moderate level of difficulty, requiring a reasonable level of fitness and some experience in long-distance walking.
THREE LOCHS WAY
Click on your preferred date to register.
June 22 – 30, 2025 (register by April 23)
September 7 – 15, 2025 (register by July 9)
Three Lochs Way Details
- Royal Mile and Grassmarket areas of Edinburgh
- Edinburgh Castle
- Stoneymollan Road, a delightful ancient route linking Balloch and Cardross
- The stunning view over Loch Lomond when you cross the Highland Boundary Fault at Goukhill Muir
- Helensburgh’s beautiful tree-lined streets, especially colorful in the spring and fall
- Charles Rennie Macintosh’s elegant domestic architectural masterpiece, “The Hill House”
- Peaceful Glen Fruin (but not in 1603 when 300 Macgregors routed a much larger force of Colquhouns in a major clan battle at the head of the glen)
- Great views north of Garelochhead over Loch Long to the knobbly skyline of ‘Argyll’s Bowling Green’ and the ‘Arrochar Alps’.
- The craggy ‘Cobbler’, the area’s finest mountain, and a must-climb ‘Corbet’
- Delightful Glen Loin Woodlands, Site of Special Scientific Interest and home to red squirrels
- The impressive Sloy hydro electricity installations, built at the end of WWII with help from German POWs
- A traverse of the fine Munro, Ben Vorlich, from Loch Sloy over to Ardlui makes a great way to top off your Three Lochs Way experience
- Hobnail Trekking Co. long-sleeve trekking shirt and ball cap
- Custom Hobnail mobile app
- Lots of freebies
- Opportunities to get to know your fellow trekkers include an invitation to a WhatsApp group for your trek, group training hikes if trekkers live in proximity to each other, and other local social gatherings
- Transfers by public transport, including to/from the airport
- All luggage transfers
- 7 nights double occupancy accommodations in comfortable hotels and guesthouses
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily (packed lunch on hiking days)
- Local Mountain Leader/city guide throughout the trip
- Admission to Edinburgh Castle
- 2-hour boat cruise on Loch Lomond
- Taxes and permits
- The company of new friends and the experience of a lifetime
- Travel insurance (See the Travel Insurance section on this page for details)
- International flights
- Entrance Visa
- Meals not included on itinerary
- Drinks other than table water
- Entrance fees for attractions not included in itinerary
- Tips for leaders, other guides, etc. (we’ll give you guidance on this)
- Personal trekking equipment (hiking boots, clothing, etc.)
- Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, room service, extra hotel nights, extra meals, etc.)
- Spending money, including for souvenirs
- All expenses associated with non-scheduled departure
We rate this trek as “moderate” in difficulty, or two boots.
Moderate treks are usually active and require at least an average fitness level to accomplish. Daily activity duration is typically between 3 and 6 hours, and the total length of the trek may be up to two weeks. Total elevation may reach 4,000 meters (or about 13,000 feet) on moderate, uneven terrain. The chances of experiencing altitude sickness are fairly low in a moderate trek.
OK, here’s where we get serious. Hobnail requires that all trekkers purchase travel/medical insurance that covers them properly for all trekking activities.
There are a lot more details you need to know about travel insurance than we want to put in this limited space — including stuff about trip cancellations and what company we recommend — so when you’re ready, pop over to our Travel Insurance page.
We consider our treks to be adventures, not vacations. We’re not Hobnail Vacation Company, after all! Don’t get us wrong; we like vacations as much as the next person, but with our treks, you need to be physically and mentally ready. Here’s what we ask of you:
- You thoroughly read all the information we send you prior to departure.
- You get yourself an accountability partner and train properly. This doesn’t mean doing a few squats two weeks before departure.
- You familiarize yourself with your gear prior to leaving. Practice adjusting your backpack, filtering water if necessary, etc.
- If you purchase new boots, they are broken in well in advance of departure.
- When on trek, you FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS OF YOUR GUIDE. His or her only concern is helping you achieve your goal safely and in good health, but this won’t happen unless you follow their advice. This includes – but is not limited to – food recommendations, speed of pace, when to sleep and when not to, when to walk and when to rest, when to turn around due to illness, etc.
- When on trek, you treat your guide and the locals you encounter with the utmost respect. We are guests in their country and very grateful to be there.
All of these things may seem like common sense — and they are — but we feel that we must mention them. Hobnail’s goal is to provide you with the best experience possible, and you have an important role in achieving that goal.
Trekking is more dictated by conditioning and will than by age. On the Everest Base Camp (EBC) trail, for example, we see people in their 70s and as young as 10 (although we generally recommend 14 as a good minimum age for long-distance trekking). We’ve seen people hiking with prosthetic limbs and even heard of a guy doing the entire EBC trek in a wheelchair. The bottom line is, if you have a passion for adventure and the outdoors, you are willing to train and prepare yourself, and you promise to follow your guide’s instructions, we will be honored to guide you on a trek.
A few days after registering for a trek (with a deposit of at least $500), we’ll give you a quick call to say hello and answer any initial questions you may have. If you use WhatsApp, we’ll add you to a group with your fellow trekkers so that you may interact with them, and possibly your guide, before departure. You’ll be able to post questions in the group anytime you’d like, talk about the cool gear you’re planning to take with you, organize group hikes if you live near each other, and generally just get to know those who will be sharing this incredible experience with you.
Within the first weeks after your trek is confirmed, you will receive a Welcome Kit from us. It contains stuff that you can use during training and on the trek itself, as well as some other fun things to get you (even more) excited about your trip.
You’ll also receive a login to our Hobnail app, which is full of great information including a day-by-day schedule, nearby points of interest, beautiful photography, and yet another way to contact us – through its messaging service. As your trip gets closer, we will continue to load information into your app, including your flights and airport maps, links to places you’ll be staying, and other tips and helpful information to ensure you have more than you need to feel confident about your upcoming trek.
The closer you get to your trek, the more you’ll hear from us — but of course, you can reach out any time you have a question.
What happens if my trek is not confirmed?
If the minimum number for the trek you booked is not reached before the 60-day booking deadline, you will be eligible for either a refund or to transfer your deposit to another trek. See details HERE.
Our Mobile App
When you book, we send you the login credentials to your own, customized app. By departure, your app will contain your flight info, passport, and travel insurance docs, as well as your full itinerary, points of interest, and other amazing stuff.
TREK ITINERARY
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN EDINBURGH, WELCOME MEETING AND DINNER
Welcome to Scotland!
The moment you arrive at the airport in Edinburgh, you’ll be embraced by the warm and welcoming ambiance of Scotland. Embrace it back.
After collecting your luggage, you’ll travel by private vehicle to your hotel, just outside of the city center. Sit back and relax as you allow yourself to be captivated by the picturesque vistas that unfold along the way.
Upon reaching your hotel, check-in and enjoy some time to freshen up and settle in. In the early evening, gather for a welcome meeting where your knowledgeable guide will provide an overview of the upcoming adventure, answer any questions you may have, and offer helpful tips and insights.
After the meeting, it’s time to indulge in a delightful welcome dinner. Immerse yourself in the warm Scottish hospitality as you savor traditional dishes made with fresh local ingredients. Raise a glass and toast to the exciting journey that awaits you.
Overnight: Hotel in Edinburgh
Meals included: Welcome dinner
DAY 2: ROYAL MILE, GRASSMARKET, AND EDINBURGH CASTLE
Today you’ll enjoy exploring Edinburgh with your knowledgeable guide. You’ll walk the most famous street in Edinburgh, the Royal Mile (which is about a hundred feet shy of a mile, but who’s counting) before stopping to soak up the history of the Grassmarket area, once a medieval market and the site of public executions. No worries, it’s been almost 250 years since the last execution, so the only things you’ll witness here are cobblestone streets, medieval architecture, history, and culture (and some great shopping and pubs).
No visit to Scotland is complete without visiting a castle, and you’ll check this off your list here on your first full day in the country. Your trek includes admission to Edinburgh Castle. No royals live here currently, so no need to practice your curtsy.
Optional excursion: Scotch Whisky Experience distillery tour and tasting (learn the difference between Scotch Whisky and other whiskey – hint: it’s not just the spelling). You can select this optional tour at registration for an additional $99.
Activity: City and castle tours
Overnight: Hotel in Glasgow
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
DAY 3: TRAIN TO BALLOCH, HIKE TO HELENSBURGH, VISIT TO HILL HOUSE
Kick off your adventure on the Three Lochs Way with a scenic train ride to Balloch, the starting point of your route. Once there, you’ll lace up your hiking boots and set off on an 8.5-mile walk to the charming town of Helensburgh, known for its beautiful tree-lined streets that are especially colorful in the spring and fall.
On the trail between Balloch and Helensburgh, you’ll have the opportunity to take a walk down Stoneymollan Road, a former coffin route that was used to carry the dead to their final resting place at St. Mahew’s Chapel in Kirkton. Hopefully, there’ll be no spirits roaming the path while you’re there! (Just kidding, the path isn’t haunted – but it is a really cool part of this region’s history. See more further down the page.)
Upon reaching Helensburgh, you’ll be treated to a visit to the renowned Hill House, Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s elegant domestic architectural masterpiece. Here, you’ll learn how to identify the artistry and meticulous craftsmanship that characterizes his work. Explore the interior spaces, adorned with intricate details and elegant furnishings, and gain an understanding of the architect’s extraordinary talent.
After a day filled with beauty and inspiration, settle into your hotel in Helensburgh. Enjoy the comfort and tranquility of your surroundings as you unwind from this exhilarating journey so far. Rest well, for there are more exciting experiences awaiting you in the days to come.
Activity: Hiking 9 miles (5 hours)
Overnight: Hotel in Helensburgh
Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch, and dinner
DAY 4: HELLENSBURGH TO GARELOCHHEAD
Today’s hike will bring some history lessons in addition to the beauty you’ve come to expect here in Scotland.
First, you’ll travel another coffin road – this time, the “Highlandman’s Road” – where, for centuries, the residents of Glen Fruin would travel to reach their parish in Rhu. Here, you can take a short detour to the village of Rhu and visit the magnificent Glenarn Garden. It’s worth the extra effort.
Next, you’ll pass some military buildings that date from WWII where research and development for the “Bouncing Bomb” was underway. You’ll also pass a boulder with an inscription that commemorates the Battle of Glen Fruin in 1603 when a force of MacGregors defeated the Colquhouns in what was Scotland’s last major interclan battle.
Finally, you’ll walk on the “Yankee Road,” built by the Americans in WWII as part of the “Lease Lend” arrangements. You may also pass the Faslane Naval Base.
Today is a long day indeed, but — fingers crossed — you will be rewarded with a view of some Highland cows protecting their calves (don’t get close!) as well as the sounds of peacocks that live near the trail.
Activity: Hiking 9.25 miles (5 hours)
Overnight: Hotel in Garelochhead
Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch, and dinner
DAY 5: REST DAY IN BALMAHA
The past couple of days have included some pretty serious hiking, but today will be a little different.
You’ll transfer by taxi to the village of Luss on the banks of Loch Lomond. Enjoy some time walking around this picture-perfect little village before hopping aboard the waterbus to cross Loch Lomond.
On the other side of the loch is Balmaha, the village where the famous West Highland Way opened almost 50 years ago. Still largely considered the highlight of that trail, you’ll have about 4 1/2 hours to spend in Balmaha before the last waterbus returns to Luss at the end of the day. Choose wisely, because there are a lot of options and never enough time.
Enjoy lunch at the Oak Tree Inn, stroll along the village streets and window shop, stop into a local pub for a pint, or – if you’re feeling energetic – take a 2 1/2 hour hike to the summit of Conic Hill, an iconic point on the West Highland Way with 360-degree views of Loch Lomond National Park.
Finally, you’ll hop the last waterbus back to Luss and get some rest before hitting the trail again tomorrow.
Overnight: Hotel in Garelochhead
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch at a pub, and dinner
DAY 6: GARELOCHHEAD TO ARROCHAR
Today’s hike from Garelochhead to Arrochar is probably the most scenic of the entire trek, offering a wonderful opportunity to take in the natural beauty of the Scottish countryside. You’ll start with incredible views north of Garelochhead, over Loch Long, to the knobbly skyline of “Argyll’s Bowling Green” and the Arrochar Alps. Wow – what a way to start the day!
It’s a long hike today but these are the sort of views that will keep you motivated.
Arrochar, your home for the night, is nestled on the shores of Loch Long; take the time to explore the village’s picturesque streets and enjoy its peaceful ambiance. Arrochar is also the gateway to the iconic Arrochar Alps, a mountain range featuring stunning peaks such as the craggy Ben (or “Beinn,” which means mountain) Arthur, commonly referred to as the “The Cobbler,” as well as its neighbor, Beinn Ime (Scottish Gaelic for “butter mountain” as they used to make butter on its high pastures). Both offer opportunities for more adventurous hikes to consider on your next trip to Scotland.
Activity: Hiking 12.5 miles (6 hours)
Overnight: Hotel in Arrochar
Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch, and dinner
Day 7: ARROCHAR TO INVERGULAS, TRANSFER TO BALLOCH
Today is your last day of hiking through Scotland, so pause and really take in your surroundings.
You’ll start with amazing views over Arrochar and Loch Long to The Cobbler; what a way to start the day! Soon after, you’ll enter Glen Loin. This woodland is considered a “Site of Special Scientific Interest” and home to the truly delightful red squirrel. Try to catch one. . .on your camera, that is.
Continuing on, you’ll climb to a low bealach (Scottish Gaelic for “narrow mountain pass”) and come to Coiregrogain, which is surrounded by the peaks of Ben Vorlich, A Chrois, and Ben Vane – a truly remarkable panorama. From here, it’s an easy descent to Inveruglas, but only after taking the detour to the Sloy Dam first.
The Sloy Dam is a hydroelectric installation built at the end of WWII with help from German POWs. It’s truly impressive.
Once you arrive in Inveruglas, you’ll want to ask for the Three Lochs Way Achievement Book so you can add your name to the list of those who have completed this trek. Nobody can take that away from you!
You’ll be transferred (about 30-45 minutes) back to Balloch where you’ll stay overnight. Congratulations on a job well done!
Activity: Hiking 6.25 miles (3-4 hours)
Overnight: Hotel in Balloch
Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch, and dinner
DAY 8: LOCH LOMOND BOAT CRUISE, RETURN TO GLASGOW
You’re in for a real treat today as you first enjoy a walk around Balloch Castle Country Park, one of the best public spaces in the west of Scotland, before embarking on a boat cruise around the southern end of the magnificent Loch Lomond.
As you glide along, try to take in the breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, picturesque islands, and simply the enormous size of Loch Lomond itself.
Throughout the cruise, a knowledgeable guide will provide insightful commentary, sharing facts about the history, geology, and wildlife of the area. Learn about the legends and folklore associated with Loch Lomond, adding an extra layer of depth to your journey.
After disembarking, make your way to Balloch for a train transfer back to Edinburgh. You’ll board the train and think about the unforgettable experiences you’ve shared during your time in the Scottish Highlands. Enjoy the scenery as you make your way through the picturesque Scottish countryside that passes outside your window. In a short while, you’ll be back in the bustling city.
Once back in Edinburgh, and if time permits, you’ll have the opportunity to explore more of this vibrant area, perhaps visiting some locally-owned shops to pick up last-minute souvenirs for your loved ones back home.
Activity: Boat cruise
Overnight: Hotel in Edinburgh
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
DAY 9: FINAL DEPARTURE
Spend a few extra moments in reflection as you enjoy your final meal in Scotland this morning. When you’re ready, you’ll take taxi transfer from the hotel back to the airport in plenty of time for your flight. We hope you enjoyed this amazing country and that you’ll be back soon for another visit.
Meals included: Breakfast
GENERAL INFORMATION
about THE FOOD
Scottish cuisine is a reflection of the country’s rich culinary heritage and bountiful natural resources. Iconic dishes like haggis, a savory blend of minced lamb or beef mixed with oats, onions, and spices, encapsulate the essence of Scottish cuisine. Other notable delicacies include Scotch broth, a nourishing soup made with lamb, barley, and vegetables, and the famous Scottish salmon, celebrated for its exceptional flavor and quality.
Scotland’s love affair with seafood is evident in dishes like Cullen skink — a creamy smoked haddock soup (pictured above) — and smoked salmon served with oatcakes. Moreover, Scotland’s landscapes provide an abundance of game, leading to dishes such as venison stew and game pies. And let’s not forget about the beloved shortbread and whisky, two quintessential Scottish treats that have gained international fame.
About "coffin roads"
Scotland’s “coffin roads,” or “corpse roads,” hold a haunting significance in the country’s history and folklore. These ancient pathways were traditionally used for transporting coffins and carrying the deceased from remote communities to their final resting places. Spanning across the rugged Scottish countryside, these paths meandered through breathtaking landscapes, often crossing moors, hills, and valleys. The eerie atmosphere surrounding the coffin roads is intertwined with tales of mournful processions, supernatural encounters, and the enduring resilience of communities in the face of death. Today, these paths serve as a poignant reminder of Scotland’s rich cultural heritage and the deep-rooted connections between its people and the land they call home. Exploring the coffin roads offers a glimpse into Scotland’s past, where history and folklore intertwine, inviting visitors to contemplate the mysteries and stories hidden within its ancient trails.
Three Lochs Way
Click on your preferred date to register.
(registration deadline: April 23)
(registration deadline: July 9)
