🏔️ Is Balloch Worth Visiting? A Scenic Hike from Loch Lomond with Just a Travel Waterproof Backpack
Discover a 4-hour coastal + mountain trail near Glasgow that’s friendly to beginners and perfectly suited to lightweight daypacks.
Balloch to Helensburgh: A Beginner-Friendly Trail with Big Scenery
If you’re in Glasgow and only have a day, here’s a hike that gives you views of Loch Lomond on one side and the sea on the other—without needing a tent, compass, or high endurance. Just a waterproof backpack, good shoes, and enough time to walk 12km.
This trail is one of the closest routes from Glasgow where you can spot snow on Ben Lomond in winter, yet still finish by sunset.
How to Get to the Trail
1️⃣ Start from Balloch Station – reachable in 50 minutes from Glasgow Queen Street Station.
2️⃣ Walk 10 minutes from the station to the trailhead at Old Luss Rd & Lower Stoneymollan Rd (search “Bos Steel” on maps).
3️⃣ Search for “Helensburgh to Balloch” on AllTrails to preview the path.
4️⃣ The hike ends near Helensburgh Central or Craigendoran—both have return trains and buses to Glasgow.
Why a Travel Waterproof Backpack Matters on This Route
There are no shops, toilets, or shelters along the way. On windy days or in winter, the hilltop may be icy, muddy, or exposed.
I packed everything in a travel waterproof backpack—light, weatherproof, and compact:
· 🧤 Thin gloves & hat
· 🧥 Windbreaker
· 🥪 Snack & 1L water
· 🧻 Tissue, phone, AllTrails screenshot
· 🕶️ Sunglasses (trail faces west in the second half)
What Makes This Trail Special
· 🌄 Scenic combo: One side is Loch Lomond, the other is the Clyde coast
· 🏔️ Snow view: Ben Lomond appears in the distance on clear winter days
· 🌲 Low difficulty: Mostly gentle slopes, family-friendly
· 🧍♀️ Local vibe: We met families, older hikers, and friendly locals—many asked us to join their group photos
· 🌅 Sunset-worthy: End at Helensburgh and catch the sea glow before heading back
Watch Out For Trail Conditions
⚠️ Parts of the trail may be blocked by fallen pine trees (as of 2024.3).
Avoid forcing through forested paths—either return, detour via the hill (steep), or start from Helensburgh instead.
Final Thoughts – A Route Built for Waterproof Daypacks, Not Trekking Packs
This isn’t a multi-day expedition. It’s a 4-hour walk with epic views and a sunset ending. For hikes like this, a waterproof daypack gives you just what you need—and nothing more.
If you’re testing your hiking backpack for travel, this one’s a perfect first run.
🔗 The Backpack I Used
I carried a 20L travel waterproof backpack—small enough for the train, roomy enough for the unexpected. Windproof, rainproof, and it still fit under my coat when needed.
