Walks you can reach from Ardlui by train

Recommended: A hill route using much of the Three Lochs Way, with a steep initial climb through woods, then uphill above the Gare Loch with nice views. The long central section follows a paved road through a valley near overhead lines and before a footpath crosses a heather-covered hill and descends on quiet wide streets into Helensburgh. Follows the Three Lochs Way. Nice views over the Gare Loch and the river Clyde in good weather.

Time: 4h30–8h30

Lunch: Only the post office in Garelochhead for early-morning supplies; little en route.

Warnings: Crosses a Ministry of Defence firing-range danger zone; only available when there is no firing (check the Scotland firing times before setting off). A fence near the top is trickier to cross than a usual stile.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Recommended: Good path throughout.

Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.

Time: 7h–14h

Walk details: Railwalks.

Similar walk: Slow Ways (inc. GPX).

Woodland: a third under tree cover.

Time: 7h30–15h30

Warnings: Follows a busy road for two fifths of the walk.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Marvellous views along Strathfillan; the first real sense of the highlands ahead. A West Highland Way section, mostly on fire roads and good gravel trails so easy going, through mossy forestry land with some elevation gain early on, frequent views back towards Crianlarich and then almost flat to Tyndrum past wildflower meadows and along the river. Muddy in places with considerable erosion on steeper sections; recently fallen trees near Crianlarich. Follows the West Highland Way past the Glenbruar Viaduct and Strath Fillan. Information boards cover the area's wildlife and history, from missionaries to gold-mining. Facilities are limited out of season except in Tyndrum; great wild-camping spots beyond Tyndrum.

Woodland: half under tree cover.

Time: 3h–6h

Lunch: A seasonal cafe at Strath Fillan; otherwise limited until Tyndrum, which has the Real Food Cafe, the Tyndrum Inn, the Ben Lui Restaurant and the Green Welly Stop with a shop.

1 end-of-walk reward: Real Food Cafe

Warnings: Crossing the A82, a fast and fairly busy road, at a well-marked good-visibility point with prominent road signs. Erosion on steeper sections.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Reverse direction: ScotRail.

Time: 6h–11h30

Warnings: Follows a busy road for half of the walk.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Woodland: three fifths under tree cover.

Time: 8h–15h30

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Northern section is very enjoyable with amazing views over Loch Long; excellent views. A route forming roughly half of the Three Lochs Way, with a very enjoyable northern section of amazing views over Loch Long, a less enjoyable middle third on a tarmac road through an MOD training area and a final descent on quiet single-track road and new footpath through woodland into Helensburgh. The ground can be sodden in the second section from Tarbet. Comprises about half of the Three Lochs Way, running between Inveruglas and Balloch. Passes the famous Mackintosh-designed Hill House.

Time: 9h–17h30

Warnings: The Tarbet end is currently closed for overhead-line works with a signed diversion (likely until 2026). About a third of the way involves fording a small stream beneath a railway where a bridge has been removed. The ground from Tarbet can be sodden, so walk in drier weather.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

The views, it almost goes without saying, are wonderful; a spectacular route; Beautiful scenery; lovely; the colours were really gorgeous. A short, simple and relatively undemanding walk following a section of the West Highland Way, mostly flat through fields with generally good or very good surfaces. The route tracks the A82 and the railway line through spectacular Highland scenery at the base of two mountains and swapping sides via sheep tunnels and bridges. A few cows at one point. Follows a section of the West Highland Way, signposted along the way. The 914/915 Citylink bus connects the two ends but should be booked in advance. The railway crosses two small viaducts on a loop.

Time: 3h–6h

End-of-walk reward: Tyndrum has several stores and restaurants, including the Green Welly.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Reverse direction: ScotRail.

Time: 7h30–15h

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a fifth of the walk.

Walk details: Slow Ways.