Walk from Inversnaid to Inverarnan

 

Inversnaid

Get ready for this rough and challenging section of the West Highland Way. As expected, when the goings get tougher, the scenery gets even better! The 7-mile walk between Inversnaid and Inverarnan certainly lives up to this and is more challenging.

This section is generally part 2 of a typical West Highland Way walkers day, with them having already walked from Rowardennan to Inversnaid.

You can read about our experience walking that section, with details of what to expect at Inversnaid, by clicking the link below.

Akrlet Falls, Inversnaid

I walked this stretch with a friend on a wet Sunday in May, regularly wiping the rain off the camera lens.

I returned to Inversnaid a few days later, and the sun was out, so of course, it looked completely different. Above, you can see a picture of the beautiful Arklet Falls, located next to the Inversnaid Hotel.

West Highland Way Sign

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West Highland Way

Leave Inversnaid, following the path along the banks of Loch Lomond, past the hotel and this weather-beaten sign. The next stop for us is Inverarnan. Note there aren’t any shops or honesty boxes for water or snacks between here and Inverarnan.

As you look across the water, you will see Inveruglas, home to the Loch Sloy Power Station. Loch Sloy holds the dubious honour of recording the largest rainfall across a single day in Scotland, that was a long time ago, though, and thankfully, it’s not quite as bad today!!

More difficult to see at Inveruglas is the An Ceann Mòr pyramid-shaped viewpoint which cleverly blends into the environment. Read more about it at the link below.

Inversnaid RSPB Reserve

Inversnaid Reserve

You’ll soon be walking in one of the RSPB’s two reserves in Loch Lomond. There is an information board that records sightings of wildlife and birds.

RSPB Trail, Inversnaid

In the picture above, you can see the route of the West Highland Way leading straight ahead, following the banks of Loch Lomond. If you can spare 30 minutes, manage a short climb and don’t mind some extra steps for your days walk, then you will be able to see one of the finest views of Loch Lomond. Just turn right at this point and follow the signs for the RSPB Trail.

You can see the viewpoint in the picture below. There’s also a link to a guide written about the RSPB Cruise, which runs weekly from Tarbet to Inversnaid, operated by Cruise Loch Lomond and hosted by an RSPB warden.

Viewpoint, RSPB Trail, Inversnaid

Rob Roy’s Cave

Out on a boat cruise around this area, then chances are you’ll pass Rob Roy’s Cave (Rob Roy MacGregor), which helpfully has CAVE painted in white on the rocks to mark the location of the infamous outlaws hiding place.

The West Highland Way path involves climbing over some of the enormous boulders that together make up the cave. Some centuries earlier, in 1306, this collection of rocks was a hiding place for Robert The Bruce.

Famous poet Sir Walter Scott wrote about Rob Roy and the Trossachs. The cave was also twice visited by Dorothy Wordsworth, latterly coming after Scott’s book Rob Roy.

Woodlands

The pathways couldn’t be nicer (even on a drizzly day), cutting through rich blankets of bluebells.

Out of the woods and at the end of the RSPB Inversnaid reserve, the route opens up with some excellent views, waterfalls, bridges and pathways.

Ardleish

Walkers in front of us, laden with heavy packs on their backs, who had no doubt already covered many miles, strode purposely to the bothy on the route (pictured below) to escape the rain for a few minutes.

The next stretch took us towards Ardleish, across the water from Ardlui. If you’re still planning your West Highland Way overnight stops, I recommend staying in the pods or hotel at Ardlui.

Ardlui is accessible by ferry (another adventure for your trip). Just hoist the ball to be spotted on the other side; if raised during an appointed ferry time, then a boat will come to take you to Ardlui.

Final Stretch!

Many of the walkers we met were booked to stay at the Drovers Inn overnight and look forward to food and a drink or two. You can feel each step by now and are looking forward to the end of the days walk. The loch ends, and instead, the walk passes the River Falloch, which flows into Loch Lomond.

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Drovers Inn & Beinglas Camp Site

One more bridge to walk over (across another pretty waterfall), and it’s Beinglas, a restaurant, bar, lodges, B&B, camping etc. Keep right to stay on the West Highland Way or cut across the site and onto the A82. Turn left to walk for a few minutes to The Drovers Inn, if that’s you’re overnight stop, and the place to enjoy a well-earned drink!

Thanks for reading

Words and photography by Paul Saunders. Visit Paul’s Marketing and Photography websites for details of his services in Scotland.

Please let us know if you found the guide helpful in the comments section below.