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Loch Lomond & The Trossachs.
An aerial view looks down a curving road running along a loch shore, cars passing between the water and a bank of autumn-coloured trees.

Getting to Loch Lomond & The Trossachs and around.

The trains, the roads and the boats

Balloch acts as the main gateway, connected by regular train services from Glasgow Queen Street. From there, bus routes follow the loch’s western edge to places like Luss, Tarbet and Inveruglas. The eastern side is less directly served, but reachable by car and bike.

Boats and ferries run across the loch, including seasonal services to Inchcailloch island and between Balmaha, Luss and Rowardennan. Driving offers the greatest flexibility, especially for exploring more remote spots like Glen Finglas, Loch Ard, or the back roads over Duke’s Pass.

Sections of National Cycle Route 7 run through the park, and local routes like the West Loch Lomond Cycle Path provide relatively flat stretches with wide views. Mountain biking is popular near Aberfoyle and Loch Ard.

Walking is the main activity for many visitors, with trails ranging from short forest loops to longer climbs and multi-day routes like the West Highland Way, which runs along the eastern edge of Loch Lomond.

By train

Trains from Glasgow Queen Street reach Balloch in under an hour, and the West Highland Line stops at Arrochar and Tarbet, Ardlui, Crianlarich and Tyndrum.

For the Trossachs, take the train to Stirling and the bus on to Callander.

By road and by boat

The A82 runs up the west shore of Loch Lomond from Balloch, and the A84 comes in from Stirling to Callander and on north.

Seasonal boats cross the loch between Balmaha, Luss and Rowardennan and out to Inchcailloch, and the steamer sails up Loch Katrine from Trossachs Pier to Stronachlachar.

Getting around

Buses follow the west shore to Luss, Tarbet and Inveruglas, but the east side and the Trossachs glens are far easier with a car or a bike.

National Cycle Route 7 runs through the park, and the Duke's Pass from Aberfoyle is one of the loveliest drives in it.

Expect mild summers with daytime temperatures typically between 15–19 °C, and cool evenings around 10–12 °C. Winters are colder, with occasional snow. Rain is common year-round, and the weather on the loch can change suddenly. Waterproof clothing, warm layers, and sturdy footwear are recommended for any visit.

Loch Lomond lies about an hour’s drive from Glasgow via the A82. Balloch, on the southern shore, is the gateway if using public transport; it’s served by rail and bus links. From there, local buses and cycling paths (such as the West Loch Lomond Cycle Path) connect the lochside villages. Larger vessels, waterbus services, and bike rentals are available in Balmaha, Luss, Inversnaid, and Tarbet.

The national park hosts over 200 bird species and a wide range of plants and animals. Watch for red squirrels, golden eagles, ospreys, peregrine falcons, and even beavers, particularly around Loch Achray. Inchconnachan island is home to a small colony of wallabies. Boat tours offer good chances to spot waterfowl, seals, and occasionally otters.

Yes. Loch Lomond works well for families, with accessible trails, boat trips, paddleboarding and wildlife to look for. Campsites and lodges offer comfortable bases by the water. Child-friendly amenities are available at Balloch, Balmaha, and Luss, and some attractions provide play areas and picnic locations.

You have the right to walk and camp along much of the shoreline, but byelaws restrict wild camping along certain parts of Loch Lomond from March to October. In those parts, camping is permitted only in designated sites with a permit. Canoe and motorboat users must follow speed limits (11 km/h in sensitive areas), and those under 16 must wear life jackets. Registration for engine-powered craft will be needed from January 2025.

Village hubs like Balloch, Luss, and Balmaha offer a wide range of accommodation: hotels, B&Bs, campsites, cabins, and boutique bothies. Awarded favourites like Watermill Nook are accessible without a car and ideal for nature-focused travellers. Dining choices range from cosy inns and tearooms serving local dishes to cafés and pubs offering fresh seafood and Scotch fare.

Photographs by thepiercafe and Alan Weir; Tabitha Wijesinghe, Amy Steele and Karen G. (1) via Google

More of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs.

A white vintage passenger steamer moored at a covered wooden jetty on a loch, wooded hills reflected in the still water around it.See and doLoch Katrine's steamer, an island priory and LussCrusty round loaves are piled in a bakery shop window, a street of buildings reflected faintly in the glass.Eat, drink and shopBakeries, lochside cafés and an old drovers' innWhere to stayA crenellated stone mansion with towers stands at the end of a long driveway, mature trees lining the approach and lawns either side.History and storiesBritons, Vikings, Rob Roy and the first touristsAn aerial view shows a road winding past a dark loch through dense forest, heather moorland spreading beyond the trees.ItinerariesDays we have driven, stop by stopA hazy panoramic view over a loch dotted with wooded islands, hills fading into the distance on either side.What is on in Loch Lomond & The TrossachsSomething new from the park every day