How do I get to the start in Rowardennan?

There is no bus. A seasonal waterbus runs from Tarbet or Luss on the west shore. Walk from the pier to the hotel and hostel. Maps and coordinates are under Get there in Section overview.

How hard is Rowardennan to Inverarnan?

It is the hardest of the eight official sections underfoot. Not a big climb. Roots, rock, and short steps along the north shore, especially after Inversnaid. Miles take longer than the map. Rannoch Moor is longer and more exposed. The Devil's Staircase is the steep pull.

How long does Rowardennan to Inverarnan take?

Most people take 6–7 hours, plus a stop at Inversnaid. It is Day 3 on the 6-, 7-, and 8-day itineraries, and Day 4 on the 9-day. The 5-day walks this shore as part of Balmaha to Inverarnan, not as its own day.

Is Inverarnan on the West Highland Way?

Beinglas sits on the signed path. The Drovers Inn is a short step off, across the river at Inverarnan. Most people leave the Way for the inn, then rejoin for the next section toward Tyndrum.

Where should I stay after this section?

Beinglas (camping, wigwams, food) or the Drovers Inn at Inverarnan. Book ahead in summer. The 5-day also sleeps here, after a longer day from Balmaha.

Can I download a GPX for Rowardennan to Inverarnan?

Yes. Open the 7-day itinerary in the planner (free, no account). This section is Day 3. Download a full-route GPX or per-day files for Garmin, Komoot, or your phone.

Meadow and lochside at the Rowardennan Hotel on Loch Lomond — Cary O'Donnell · Meadow and Lochside at the Rowardennan Hotel · CC BY-SA 2.0 · cropped

Rowardennan to Inverarnan

The hard north shore. Roots and rock along Loch Lomond to Inverarnan.

22.3 km 13.9 mi On trail
6–7 h Walking time
↑740 m 2,450 ft Ascent
Hardest Difficulty

Example stay The Drovers Inn (opens in a new tab)

Cross-check: official Rowardennan to Inverarnan section . We use their settlement names and amenity list as a cross-check. Distances are from our trail geometry, not their mile table.

The walk

North of Rowardennan the loch turns remote. The first miles are forestry track. Then the path drops to the shore and gets slow: rock, roots, and short steps. Inversnaid and its waterfall sit about halfway. The hotel is the dependable lunch. Beyond it the ground is the hardest underfoot on the Way. Toward the head of the loch the trees thin and Glen Falloch opens to Beinglas. The Drovers Inn is a short step off the path at Inverarnan.

Start of section

Rowardennan

The hotel, youth hostel, and pier sit on the loch at the foot of Ben Lomond.

56.1516, -4.6360 Google Maps for Rowardennan (opens in a new tab)
After Rowardennan

The first miles follow a forestry track above the water. It feels easy. Then the path drops to the shore and the footing turns. Between Ptarmigan Lodge and Rowchoish a signed forest road stays higher if you want smoother ground. Both lines meet again before Inversnaid.
Lunch

Inversnaid and the waterfall

The Way crosses a footbridge over the falls as they drop into the loch. The hotel sits on the water and is the usual mid-section stop for food. A seasonal waterbus runs from the pier to Tarbet and Inveruglas on the west shore. The RSPB reserve is just beyond the hotel.

56.2431, -4.6845 Google Maps for Inversnaid Hotel (opens in a new tab)
North of Inversnaid

Official guidance singles out this shore as the challenging stretch: crags, boulders, and a path that asks for care. Miles take longer than the map. Toward the head of the loch the trees thin and Glen Falloch opens. Beinglas sits on the Way. For the Drovers you leave the path and cross to Inverarnan.
End of section

Inverarnan

Beinglas sits on the Way. The Drovers Inn is a short step off, across the river.

56.3305, -4.7171 Google Maps for Inverarnan (opens in a new tab)

Section overview

The ground

Forest track
Rocky shore
Roots and boulders
Little height

Not a climb. Roots, rock, and slow miles along the north shore. Rannoch Moor is longer and more exposed. The Devil's Staircase is the steep pull. This is the day that takes longer than the map. Most people remember it.

Stops

Refreshments

Rowardennan
Inversnaid
Ardlui (west shore)
Inverarnan

Toilets

Rowardennan

Before you go

Get there

Arrive
Rowardennan
No bus. Seasonal waterbus from Tarbet or Luss on the west shore. Walk from the pier.
56.1516, -4.6360 Google Maps for Rowardennan (opens in a new tab)
Leave
Inverarnan
Citylink coaches stop on the A82 at Inverarnan. Beinglas is on the Way. The Drovers is a short step off.
56.3305, -4.7171 Google Maps for Inverarnan (opens in a new tab)

Southbound, you finish at Rowardennan and leave by waterbus.

Opposite direction

Inverarnan to Rowardennan

If you walk the Way from Fort William to Milngavie, this is the stretch that drops back to Loch Lomond and follows the rocky east shore south. Same roots and rock as the northbound day. Inversnaid is still the middle. Rowardennan is a quiet night at the foot of Ben Lomond.

End of section

Rowardennan

The hotel, youth hostel, and pier sit on the loch at the foot of Ben Lomond.

56.1516, -4.6360 Google Maps for Rowardennan (opens in a new tab)