Log No 140. Wed 25th Sep 2013 - Lochgoilhead to Arrochar, 14 miles (2171 miles walked)

I eventually figured out how to get back to the camper, it took 3 buses - Glasgow to Campbeltown, Inverary to Dunoon and Dunoon to Lochgoilhead.

I needed to get to Ardgartan or Arrochar (12 or 14 miles) for 13.00, which one depended on how hard the 3 miles of footpath round the top of the hill would be.

It was the usual dull, grey day as I left Lochgoilhead at 07.50 taking the track out of the village.

The signpost called it Dukes Path and indicated it was a cycle trail, so it sounded like it must be a decent path.

The map showed there were forest tracks all the way to Ardgartan except for the 3 miles near the top of the hill to Corran Lochan.

The route climbed for the first hour, quite steeply in places but it was always a good path.

Cycle tyre tracks and boot prints showed the route was used. I suppose having an Outdoor Activities Centre in the village guarantees it will be used.

Coming out through the trees the path leveled off for the last bit to Corran Lochan.

The dull day didn't do justice to the autumnal colours around the lochan.

The easy path meant I should have plenty of time to end the day at Arrochar.

From the lochan it was back on to the forest tracks.

This was the best days walking I have had for a long while, it just needed the sun to come out but that wasn't going to happen.

The track headed northwards now along Loch Long.

To start with the track was too far inland to let me see the loch but I did get occasional views through or over the trees.

At Ardgartan I went across the footbridge over Croe Water and followed the footpath alongside the main road until it ended at the holiday chalets.

From here there was a pavement for the last 2 miles into Arrochar so I never had to walk on any main roads today.

When I got back into Dunoon after the second bus I had time to call into the information centre to try to find out bus times for the next stage to the Erskine Bridge only to discover that there was a bus service from Helensburgh to Lochgoilhead and Carrick Castle which went through Arrochar at 15.00!!