Cowal’s ‘57 varieties’ of walking pleasure

The Cowal Way might not be one of the longest routes in Scotland but it is one of the finest

At 57 miles long, the Cowal Way offers, just like Heinz, variety and walking pleasure for every one of those miles.

Portavadie is its southern point and Inveruglas at Loch Lomond its northern. In between the walk has been designed skilfully to make the best use of existing forestry tracks, footpaths, quiet roads and traditional rights of way.

These long-established routes are linked together to take the walker through Tighnabruaich, Glendaruel, Strachur, Lochgoilhead and Arrochar.

From its start on the sea loch, Loch Fyne, through to the freshwater of Loch Lomond, the route takes in stunning sea and mountain views, woodland, forests and rich pastures. This mix gives a wide variety of wildlife habitats and plant life to see along the way.

The Isle of Arran has long laid claim to the title of ‘Scotland in miniature’ but this route is ‘Scotland in 57 miles’.

The Cowal Peninsula is very sparsely populated and most of the people are in the town of Dunoon, on its eastern side, on the banks of the Clyde, but the west coast of is called ‘Argyll’s secret coast’ for good reason.

So say thank you to James McLuckie, who came up with the idea of the path. Since the turn of the century this path has grown, not in length, but in stature. It is now classed as one of Scotland’s great trails.

The route is managed by Colintraive and Glendaruel Development Trust, has its own guide book and a free mobile app for iPhone and Android and a comprehensive website.

And for sheer variety, think of this: in the midst of all that magnificent scenery, wildlife and peacefulness, you are an hour away, more or less, from the heart of a world-class city, Glasgow, and its international airport. Where else in the world can offer you that?