Carbeth to Drymen - - - - - - - - 7 miles (11.2 kms) / 3 - 4 hours

Drymen to Balmaha - - - - - -  - 8 miles (12.8 km) / 4 - 5 hours

Balmaha to Rowardennan - - -  7 miles (11.2 km) / 3 - 4 hours

Rowardennan to Inversnaid - - 7 miles (11.2 km) / 4 - 5 hours

Inversnaid to Inverarnan - - - - 7 miles (11.2 km) / 4 - 5 hours

Inverarnan to Crianlarich - - - - 6 miles (9.6 km) / 3 - 4 hours

Crianlarich to Tyndrum - - - - - 6 miles (9.6 km) / 3 - 4 hours

Tyndrum to Bridge of Orchy - - 7 miles (11.2 km) / 3 - 4 hours

Bridge of Orchy to Inveroran - 2 miles (3.2 km) / 1 - 2 hours

Inveroran to Kingshouse - - - 10 miles (16 km) / 4 - 5 hours

Kingshouse to Kinlochleven - - 9 miles (14.4 km) / 4 - 5 hours

Kinlochleven to Fort William - 14 miles (22.4 km) / 7 - 8 hours

NB Urban footpaths can deliver a time of 3 to 4mph walking: the first section alone delivers just 1½ mph; do NOT estimate your speed based on what you can walk in towns.

Typical route details for Section 4 of the route:

Rowardennan to Inversnaid

Summary:

• Distance / Time: 7 miles (11.2 km) / 4 to 5 hours
• Total Ascent: 544 m
• Total Descent: 547 m
• Max Height: 149 m
• Terrain: This stretch is mostly forestry track following the eastern shore of Loch Lomond with occasional diversions onto a rocky path with crags and boulders.
• Accommodation: Inversnaid
• Refreshments: Inversnaid  
• Places of Interest: Rob Roy’s Prison, RSPB reserve.

Equipment

This is not a major mountain route; however due to exposure to high mountains 'attracting' rain, and the misconception that because the route starts in Glasgow - if you walk south to north which most people do - it's an easy route; in the example above there's a 544 metre ascent total which sorts walkers' fitness and boots.

Wear a good pair of hillwalking boots. When purchasing these (in plenty of time before the route is attempted) from a reputable outdoor retailer eg Blacks, Cotswold, Snow and Rock, Field & Trek, tell them what you intend to use the boots for. Be prepared to spend over £100 on a decent pair. Don't insult the outdoor world by walking in trainers.

Socks are more important than townies think; cushion your feet by buying the best pairs of socks you can afford. Just wear one pair of these socks - don't start layering with cotton inner socks.

GET ADVICE

If you are backpacking, travel as light as you can; hostelling or B&B'ing should allow you to be comfortably light - no more than a quarter of your body weight carried by you on this route - for novices. Thus lightweight clothing with a good base layer to 'wick-away' the sweat (and you'll sweat a lot) is critical; a mid layer (Polartec 100 or North Face TKA 100 as a mid layer. A totally waterproof AND breathable outer jacket with hood AND overtrousers. A fleece jacket is a good investment - they are multi-purpose; but get one with a full-length zip - easier to ventilate when wearing it with a rucsac.

GET ADVICE

Although May is one of the driest months in this part of Scotland, this is just relative - at about 60 mm during the month (Essex regularly has just 1.6 mm per May). Temps will be around max of 16ºC and min of 7ºC. However with windchill that may be a lot lower.

GET ADVICE

So..... boots, pairS of socks, trousers (not jeans - they're lethal when wet) eg 'Craghoppers' Kiwis, base layers, mid layers, fleece, outer waterproof and overtrousers, decent rucsac (GET ADVICE on this before you spend your money) of about 60 litres capacity - depending on whether you are camping or hostelling. Stove to be carried eg Jetboil or Trangia + fuel + food to be cooked en route. Sleeping bag + kippmat. Water bottles, snack food, compass, and the ALL IMPORTANT Ordnance Survey map. Spare clothing to be carried + overnight clothing + hat/gloves/scarf. Camera, torch with spare batteries, cutlery, mug, flask (optional extra)......and the weight starts to add up.

GET ADVICE

Do not attempt a sustained journey such as this without training - and more training. Walk to train. Don't jog or run. Carry a 'sac with you when you train - get used to carrying one too as it's your 'life support system' for the duration.

GET ADVICE

Ensure you have tried out all the kit you are to carry weeks before you go. Pack, un-pack, and repack your sac - keep doing this until you know where everything is and you are only taking what you need.....no stereo systems, no huge 10 million candle watt power torches, no food for 27 days 'just in case' etc. etc..

GET ADVICE

Then train to carry it so when put that 'sac on at Milngavie it'll be your friend - and not the item which is going to give you such a hard time you'll give up ( or rather your tender untrained shoulders will give up) in the first 5 miles. Same goes for the boots and socks; get used to them.

B.J.Howard, Mountain Leader