Sallochy Woodland Trail

Sallochy Woodland Trail

Oak woodland, a ruined township and the quietest stretch of the east loch shore

Rowardennan, Scotland

Sallochy is a short waymarked loop through the oak woods on the east shore of Loch Lomond, 3.75km with 164m of climbing, and it goes past the remains of Wester Sallochy — a cleared township whose walls are still standing chest-high among the trees. The woodland here is Atlantic oak, the same habitat that once covered most of this shore, and in spring the ground under it is bluebells.

The catch is access. The Forestry and Land Scotland car park at the start is closed to day visitors from 1 March to 31 October, when it serves the campsite. Outside those dates the trailhead parking is open to anyone; inside them, park at Balmaha or Rowardennan and walk in along the West Highland Way, which turns a one-hour outing into a half day but is no hardship — that section of the Way is one of the best walks on the loch.

Paths are good, muddy in places, and there is nothing steep enough to trouble anyone.

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Frequently asked questions

Can you park at Sallochy?▾

Only between 1 November and 28 February. For the rest of the year the car park serves the campsite and is closed to day visitors, so walkers use Balmaha or Rowardennan and reach Sallochy along the West Highland Way.

What is the ruined village at Sallochy?▾

Wester Sallochy, a settlement abandoned in the nineteenth century. Several buildings survive as low walls beside the trail, with interpretation boards explaining who lived there and what they did.

More walks nearby

Other routes within reach of Sallochy Woodland Trail — useful if the summit is clouded in or you want a shorter second day.

References