Rowardennan and Ben Lomond

How to get to Rowardennan

To get to Rowardennan by car, you need to drive along an 11 mile, winding dead-end road from Drymen. By foot, you can follow the West Highland Way over Conic Hill, coming alongside the eastern shores of Loch Lomond at Balmaha. For some, Rowardennan is one of their scheduled overnight stops on the West Highland Way. 

Many people who make the journey to Rowardennan come to climb Scotland's most southerly Munro Ben Lomond. If you plan to climb Ben Lomond, use the Sat Nav for Rowardennan rather than Ben Lomond, as the latter's setting can be inaccurate. Please park responsibly; parking attendants are often on-site. The car park does fill up quickly, so best to arrive early.

 

What is at Rowardennan?

Rowardennan has a (pay and display) car park, operated by Forestry and Land Scotland, a holiday park with lodges, hotel, bunkhouse, youth hostel, boat moorings and a B&B guest house, plus of course the pathway to Ben Lomond. There are also some temporary toilets in place by the car park. This guide will tell you more about Rowardennan to help you plan a visit.

Ben Lomond

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Climbing Ben Lomond?

If you plan to climb, Ben Lomond read our detailed guide, linked below. Ben Lomond is owned and operated by National Trust for Scotland. They are constantly working to preserve pathways under considerable strain from the increasing number of walkers each year.

The walk up Ben Lomond starts in a forest. As the forest clears, you begin to get your first glimpse of the views across Loch Lomond. Unless there is fog on the high ground, the views improve as you climb. From the summit, you can see as far as Ben Nevis on a clear day.

Ardess Hidden History Trail

The National Trust information trailer (pictured above) has an information leaflet to guide you around the Ardess Hidden History Trail. You will discover how man has used this land over hundreds of years of history on the trail.

Rowardennan Youth Hostel

Give Us A Break

The distinctive building home to the Rowardennan Youth Hostel can be seen from the water whilst approaching on a cruise or water bus service. A few years ago, I produced a video for the Youth Hostel about the inspiring ‘Give us a Break’ campaign. Watch the video below to find out more and to see footage of Rowardennan and Loch Lomond.

Weddings at Rowardennan

I have photographed several weddings at Rowardennan. This couple from England got engaged whilst walking the West Highland Way and decided to get married somewhere in Loch Lomond on the route. I had great fun photographing their wedding at the Youth Hostel. (See my wedding photography website for more.)

Waterbus Transfer

Getting a Boat to Rowardennan

I mentioned arriving at Rowardennan by car or on foot, but there is also the option of boat transfer. Cruise Loch Lomond operate water bus services between Rowardennan and Tarbet on the western shores of Loch Lomond. Watch the video below to find out more.

West Highland Way

West Highland Way

If you plan to walk the West Highland Way, check out a page full of content and guides linked below. The long-distance walk is 50 years old and is between Milngavie, just outside Glasgow and Fort William. The 96-mile trail goes through Loch Lomond.

Walkers arriving in Rowardennan will have enjoyed the pathways alongside and close to the banks of Loch Lomond. The route continues alongside the 'Bonnie Banks' until the northern end of the loch. There are some exciting landmarks to come on the next stretch with Rob Roy’s Grave and Arklet Falls.

Rowardennan Memorial

Ben Lomond National Memorial Park

Ben Lomond National Memorial Park consists of the land around the mountain and the mountain itself, including the summit. The park was designated a war memorial dedicated to those who gave their lives in the First and Second World Wars. The granite sculpture pictured above commemorates this. It is by Doug Cocker, a Scottish artist and close to the car park.

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Some of the best views of Rowardennan are from the water, showing the beaches where the forest meets the loch.

Thanks for reading

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

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