Where to Kayak, Canoe or SUP

Kayak on Loch Eck

Kayaks, Canoes, SUP’s

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park has 22 lochs and a host of rivers to paddle on. Whether it’s by kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard (SUP), there are some fantastic places to get on the water. Here are a few ideas of some of the best locations in the National Park to launch your own kayak, canoe, SUP or alternatively to rent one. Click the links to find out more about the locations and read about some of our adventures out on the water on the lochs of Loch Lomond & Trossachs.

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Milarrochy Bay, Loch Lomond

Launch a Kayak, Canoe or SUP in Loch Lomond 

Milarrochy Bay, just up from Balmaha, is a great place to launch. There are toilets in the car park. In Balloch at Loch Lomond Shores, you can hire kayaks or go on guided tours. 

The layby, opposite the pretty cottages in Aldochlay, just south of Luss, is an ideal place to park and launch your SUP, kayak or canoe, with several islands very close to the banks of the loch. You’ll be lucky though to get a parking space!

Loch Lomond Shores

Launch a Kayak, Canoe or SUP in the Trossachs

Go Country by Loch Ard has Kayaks and Canoes for hire. It’s a beautiful loch to paddle on, with Eilean Gorm island accessible. Further along, is Loch Chon, there is limited parking in the first car park (the one before the campsite) this allows easy access to the water on a loch that is just the right size to explore. 

Loch Ard

Launch a Kayak, Canoe or SUP in Argyll

Loch Eck has several car parks, allowing easy access to the water. Jubilee Point has the biggest car park. Paddle over to the sandy beaches on the other side of the loch (read about that our guide.)

Loch Eck

Launch a Kayak, Canoe or SUP in Breadalbane 

Use Loch Lubnaig’s South Car Park to launch your canoe or kayak. Take care as the water gets deep quick. 

Loch Voil & Loch Doine is a long, narrow, and quiet loch by Balquhidder. Roll Outdoors, based at nearby Kingshouse rent kayaks, canoes and SUP’s; they offer tuition for groups. 

Lesser-known Loch Dochart is by Crianlarich. There is a layby off the A85 where you can park and then get down to the water. A ruined castle is on an island close by; beware in the summer as the water levels can get quite low, so they are not ideal. 

Loch Voil

Stay Safe on and in the Water 

Follow sensible advice from Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, detailed on their website about staying safe when paddling or swimming in the rivers and lochs. 

Plan Your Visit 

If you plan to visit Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, consider ordering our book ‘101 things to do in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs’, a photo guidebook of things to do and places to explore. Click here to purchase. 

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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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