Walks you can reach from Garelochhead by train

Recommended: Excellent views of Bowling Harbour and the Clyde. A very straightforward, level walk following a national cycle route, almost entirely on good surfaces alongside the canal and River Clyde. It includes a beautifully landscaped elevated walk/cycleway over Bowling, tree-shaded cuttings and a section running alongside the railway and ending through suburban streets and a park. Follows a national cycle route, largely free of steps. There is a replica Roman distance stone marking one end of the Antonine Wall near Old Kilpatrick.

Coastal: three quarters along the coast.

Woodland: a third under tree cover.

Time: 3h30 (2h walking, 1h30 lunch)

Lunch: Shops and a cafe under the old railway arches at Bowling, plus services accessible from the cycle track about halfway along.

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: 11h30 (9h walking, 1h30 lunch, 1h break)

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.

Woodland: a third under tree cover.

Time: 10h (7h30 walking, 1h30 lunch, 1h break)

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: 4h30 (3h walking, 1h30 lunch)

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.

Fabulous views and moorland birds. A moorland and forest route following the Three Lochs Way, with a tarmac riverside multi-use path at the Alexandria end, then a quiet lane climbing uphill, rubbly path with tree roots, a steep zigzag climb into forest and a cinder/gravel path over boggy high ground. The descent down Red Glen is fairly steep with occasionally skiddy gravel and a tricky stream crossing. Follows the Three Lochs Way; the John Muir Way splits off near the high point. Views over Loch Lomond, Ben Lomond and the Firth of Clyde. Last refreshments at Balloch before the climb.

Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.

Time: 5h30 (4h walking, 1h30 lunch)

Lunch: Busy Balloch is the last opportunity for refreshments before the climb.

Warnings: A section roughly 7-8km from the Alexandria end was rendered impassable by storm tree-fall. Steep, skiddy gravel descent down Red Glen and a tricky stepping-stone stream crossing. The final stretch is a mile or more along the busy A814.

Walk details: Slow Ways.