Walking and Cycling
Helensburgh Scouts: Risk Analysis
Walking and Cycling in the Luss Hills
Introduction:
The Luss Hills lie between the A818 Helensburgh-Arden Road and Glen Douglas to the north. Information, a map and the Risk Analysis for the area around Tom na h-Airidh, and Ben Bouie adjacent to Helensburgh, are provided separately and two maps that cover this area are affixed.
The outstanding feature of the area is the Three Lochs Way which runs north through Glen Fruin and then continues on to Glen Douglas. This is one of Scotland’s Great Trails and leaders are strongly advised to obtain the Three Lochs Way guidebook (available via www.threelochsway.co.uk) which has excellent maps and a mass of information. The surface of the Way is good for walking throughout, relatively easy to cycle except for the section marked with purple dashes on the map when walking/pushing will almost certainly be required. The road up Glen Fruin is safe, if tedious, for both walking or cycling as faster traffic uses the parallel “Haul Road”.
The hill routes marked are serious and unsuitable for Cubs.
Transport
The West Highland line has stations at Helensburgh Upper, Garelochead and Arrochar for one-way walks along the Three Lochs Way. The link path from the TLW to Garelochhead village goes past the station.
There are frequent buses Helensburgh to Garelochead, irregular buses to Luss and Inverbeg from Helensburgh via Arden, more regular local buses from Alexandria to Luss and intercity buses along the A83.
Permit Requirements:
The suggested hill summits are
1. The Strone/Beinn Mhanaich from Glen Fruin
2. Beinn Dubh/Mid Hill from Luss
3. Beinn Tharsuin/Bein Chaorach from Glen Fruin
4. Ben Eich from Luss
5. Doune Hill from Glen Douglas
These are all in Terrain One and only the first named summit of the first two suggested are suitable for younger scouts or in poor weather.
There are also two suggested major glen walks
1. Glen Fruin to Glen Luss
2. Glen Luss to Glen Douglas via Glen Mollachan
Both are in Terrain Zero but are only the first is suitable for younger Scouts if conditions are very good. The path is at times difficult to follow/ non-existent and has poor conditions underfoot. The route from Glen Luss or Glen Fruin to Glen Mallan is not recommended for anyone as there is no obvious path through the Bealach and the route down to Loch Long; although sometimes marked with tape, is extremely difficult to negotiate because of fallen trees and a deep gully.
Some Possible Walks
Beavers/Cubs
1. Auchengaich Reservoirs from Glen Fruin
2. Glen Finlas from A82 near Rhosdhu
3. Carrick Golf Course from Arden Car Park, return via cycle path
Scouts
1. Three Lochs Way from Glen Fruin (road summit) to Glen Douglas.
2. Three Lochs Way from Glen Douglas to Arrochar
3. Beinn Dubh
4. The Strone
5. Inchmurrin Island
6. Arden to Luss via Carrick GC and Loch Lomond GC. The path at Rhosdhu is through a small white gate on the left of the main gates. Keep to the shoreline. At the end of the track there is a short stretch of rough boggy ground. Avoid the green and then use obvious paths through GC.
Older Scouts/Explorers
1. The Strone/Beinn Mhanaich from Glen Fruin
2. Beinn Dubh/Mid Hill (the Glen Striddle Horseshoe) from Luss
3. Beinn Tharsuin/Bein Chaorach from Glen Fruin
4. Ben Eich from Luss
5. Doune Hill from Glen Douglas
6. Glen Fruin to Glen Luss
Explorers
1. Glen Fruin to Glen Douglas via Glen Luss
2. Glen Fruin to Loch Long via Glen Mallan
Some Possible Cycle Routes:
Cubs:
1. Helensburgh (Skating Pond) to Arden Camp Site on Cycle Path
2. Arden Car Park to Luss on cycle path
Scouts:
1. Helensburgh (Skating Pond) to Auchengaich Reservoirs via Glen Fruin
2. Helensburgh (Skating Pond) to Luss on Cycle Path
Older Scouts/Explorers
1. Helensburgh, Glen Fruin, Faslane, Helensburgh
2. Helensburgh to Arrochar Station via Luss (return by train)
Explorers
1. Helensburgh, Luss, Inverbeg, Glen Douglas , Finnart, Faslane, Helensburgh
2. Helensburgh to Arrochar on Three Lochs Way (return by train)
