Top 10 Scenic Roads Loch Lomond
This guide celebrates some of the beautiful scenic roads in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, ranked as a Top 10. Most of the roads on this top ten list can are suitable for cycling and feature points of interest on the way. Importantly for this list, they have incredible views of the countryside, lochs and coastline. A sneak peek of the no.1 on the list is pictured above! Use the arrow keys on the maps to zoom in and out to review the routes.
No. 10 Crianlarich to Callander
30 miles
From Crianlarich, follow the A84 for 30 miles to Callander. Along the way, you can detour off to Killin and explore Rob Roy Country, calling at Loch Earn and Balquhidder. The road passes two neighbouring lochs soon after Crianlarich; they are Loch Dochart, and Loch lubhair, our guide to those lochs will tell you more about them and where to stop to get a view of the ruins of Castle Dochart.
Once past the turn for Killin, look out for the Glen Ogle viaduct; there is a car park (it is a bit rough and uneven, so if you have low suspension, take care!) where you can see it. You may see some cyclists following the NCN7 Lochs and Glens Way route from Stathyre to Killin.
Further along the A84, just after Strathyre, Loch Lubnaig is on your right, with places to stop. From here, Callander is not much further where the A84 continues towards Stirling.
Castle Dochart, Loch Dochart, near Crianlarich
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No.9 - Ardentinny to Kilmun
5.4miles
Shore Road runs alongside Loch Long from Ardentinny to Blairmore and then Kilmun. Just ahead of Kilmun, the loch on your left becomes Holy Loch. A pretty road with things to do at the three villages. Check out our Cowal Road Trip guide, which also has information about a loop that includes Loch Eck, Benmore Botanic Garden, Glenbranter, Kilmun Arboretum and Puck's Glen. Unlike many roads on this list, it has a good bus service connecting Ardentinny with Toward Point (past Dunoon).
Shore Road, Ardentinny, Loch Long
No.8 - Drymen to Rowardennan
11miles
Drymen to Balmaha has a bus service, but that doesn't go any further than Balmaha car park. This dead-end road (B837) to Rowardennan runs close to the eastern shores of Loch Lomond. It's pretty and popular, especially as Rowardennan is the starting point for a climb up Ben Lomond and Balmaha is one of the most visited places in the National Park. Read more about the highlights along this road in our guide. We also have additional guides for Drymen, Balmaha, Rowardennan, Milarrochy Bay and camping in East Loch Lomond.
B837 from Drymen to Rowardennan
No.7 - Balloch to Tyndrum
38miles
Let's start with the negatives; this is a hectic road, and sadly there is lots of litter to be found alongside it. Some recent litter bin initiatives by the Friends of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs will hopefully improve this sad situation over time.
On a more positive tone, our A82 Road Trip guide describes some of the many highlights along the way, including Balloch, Luss, Tarbert, Inveruglas, Falls of Falloch & Tyndrum. The A82 Road Trip guide is one of the most-read articles on the website.
Green Welly Stop by the A82 at Tyndrum
No.6 - St Fillans to Lochearnhead
10miles
It is possible to drive or cycle around Loch Earn. From Lochearnhead, the A85 goes alongside the loch, leaving the National Park boundary just past St Fillans. At St Fillans, you can join the South Road that is an unclassified single track road along the southern shores of Loch Earn, providing access to homes and holiday parks.
South Road, Loch Earn
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No. 5 - Aberfoyle to Stronachlachar
11miles
The winding B829 meanders alongside Loch Ard, Loch Chon and Loch Arklet. It is popular with cyclists, so drive slowly and carefully. Why rush when the views are so good? If you are looking to get a Stand-up Paddle Board, Kayak or Canoe on the water, Loch's Ard and Chon are good options. The scenery gets more open and wild as you approach the end of the road, with Loch Arklet on your left. There is a T-junction at the end, with two excellent options. Turn left for Inversnaid on Loch Lomond with its RSPB reserve and pretty waterfall, or turn right for Stronachlachar on Loch Katrine, where you can watch the cruise boats sailing. For cyclists and walkers, this option allows access to the 14-mile road alongside Loch Katrine to Trossachs Pier.
Pier Cafe, Stronachlachar
No. 4 - Lochgoilhead to Carrick Castle
Just under 4miles
Another slow, single track and winding road not be rushed is alongside Loch Goil, from Lochgoilhead to Carrick Castle. It's a dead-end road, but that should not deter you as there are some excellent places along that short stretch of road. We have many guides covering the treasures of Loch Goil, including ones on the communities of Lochgoilhead and Carrick Castle, as well as Cormonachan Woodlands, where you can see Red Squirrels.
Loch Goil Cruisers is on this road, where you can hire a self-drive motorboat by the hour for fishing or pleasure trips on Loch Goil. They've also got an excellent café.
Enjoy some fantastic views of Loch Goil along this road, with Carrick Castle well worth seeing at the other end.
Carrick Castle, Loch Goil
No.3 - Kingshouse to Monachyle Mhor
4.5miles
The scenic road through the glen, which from Balquhidder runs alongside Loch Voil, is beautiful. It's a single-track road with passing points. Enjoy the views all around you of beautiful Rob Roy Country. You may want to stop at Balquhidder to see the resting place of Scotland's famous outlaw or carry along to the pink painted Monachyle Mhor. If you do stop at Balquhidder Church, do take the path up to Creag an Tuirc for a magnificent view over Loch Voil. Close to the boutique hotel and renowned restaurant, there is the Mirror Box, where you can sit and enjoy reflected views of both Loch Voil and neighbouring Loch Doine. The road is on the highly recommended BLiSS Trail, which you may wish to let direct you around this beautiful part of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs.
Monachyle Mhor, Balquhidder
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No.2 - The Rest and Be Thankful
5 miles
The Rest and Be Thankful is known for all the wrong reasons, landslips, road closures, delays etc. It is a beautiful and scenic road, and hopefully, it will be better known one day for that rather than the frequent name-checks in radio travel bulletins. Importantly, it is a vital transport link between the Loch Lomond and Argyll Forest regions of the National Park. There are long term plans to address the damage to the road caused by falling rocks, but in the meantime, expect to be held up by traffic lights or a convoy system.
Glasgow's Riverside Transport Museum tells the story of when the low road of the Rest and Be Thankful was part of a car racing track. That would have been not for the faint-hearted. Once you have gone through the inevitable traffic lights, you can park up, get a coffee or bacon roll from a catering van, and admire the view.
Continuing your journey, you can take the narrow road into Lochgoilhead, head to Cowal or Loch Fyne.
Rest and Be Thankful Viewpoint
No.1 - Aberfoyle to Kilmahog, via Duke's Pass
12 miles
Our undisputed (we hope) number one is the Duke's Pass and the road continuing beyond it to Kilmahog, near Callander. Despite the agonising steep climb, many hardy cyclists aren't deterred from cycling this road since the 1950's Duke's Pass has been described as one of Britain's most scenic drives. Leaving Aberfoyle, you pass The Lodge Visitor Centre, home of Go Ape! with Scotland's longest zip slide. A few miles further is access to the Three Lochs Forest Drive, with the National Park's campsite for Loch Achray shortly after that.
It's Loch Achray that you can see in front of you at the end of Duke's Pass. So many places to stop and explore, Ben Venue, then Loch Katrine and Ben A'an. Through the pretty village of Brig o' Turk close to Great Trossachs Path. Next stops Glen Finglas, Loch Venachar and finally Kilmahog.
This road is part of the newly revitalised Trossachs Trail, and there's plenty to keep you busy in the heart of the Trossachs. All that and a road that is in our opinion the most scenic in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, although it has stiff competition!
Duke’s Pass, Trossachs
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Words and photography by Paul Saunders. Visit Paul’s Marketing and Photography websites for details of his services in Scotland.
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