Sight · Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park
Board a circular cruise, or just take a short lochside break
Overview
Tarbet village sits at the junction of the A82 and A83, on a low neck of land between Loch Lomond and Loch Long; the pier is a short way along the shore. The name is the Gaelic word for an isthmus, and this narrow strip has mattered before: in 1263 Norse raiders hauled their boats overland from Loch Long to raid Loch Lomond. It works well as a short lochside break or as the place you board a boat, with open water views from the pier and foreshore.
Parkwolf’s verdictWhy stop hereMap
Plan your stop
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs Tour Guide
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
Recorded for this place
Tarbet Pier and Loch Lomond Boats“You're approaching Tarbet Pier on Loch Lomond, where you can take a short shore break or board a boat.”
Plays as you drive up to Tarbet Pier and Picnic Area in the Parkwolf Loch Lomond & The Trossachs Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Guide
Two different sorts of trip leave from here. The 60 minute circular cruise returns you to the same pier, so it suits an hour carved out of a driving day. The waterbus to Inversnaid puts you on the far shore, which is the better choice if you want time over there, but it needs a plan for getting back. Rowardennan sailings are more limited. Check your sailing and your return before committing.
Wildlife
14 sightingsGolden EagleMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
37 sightingsRed DeerMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
100 sightingsMute SwanMost seen around 11 AMSighting map
48 sightingsOspreyMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
24 sightingsEurasian BeaverMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
37 sightingsEurasian Pine MartenMost seen around 7 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Loch Lomond & The Trossachs. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Keep exploring
ModerateGlen Loin and Coiregrograin Walking Circuit17.7 km · 5 hr · 2.3 km awayA full Highland glen circuit with Ben Lomond and Loch Long views.
ChallengingThe Cobbler10.5 km · 5.5 hr · 2.6 km awayStone steps lead to an airy summit beside a dramatic overhang.
ChallengingBeinn Narnain and Beinn Ìme13.8 km · 6.5 hr · 2.7 km awayA rough 13.8 km loop over two Arrochar Munros.
EasyFirkin Point Lochside Walk8.7 km · 2.5 hr · 4 km awayA level lochside path with Ben Lomond across the water.
ModerateWoodland Trail, Inversnaid2.4 km · 1 hr · 4.7 km awayA steep, stepped loop to old ruins and a Loch Lomond viewpoint.
ChallengingThe Brack from Ardgartan7.2 km · 4.5 hr · 5.2 km awayA steep Corbett climb that earns its views over Loch Long.
ChallengingBen Vane10.9 km · 5.5 hr · 5.4 km awayA steep Munro with Loch Lomond views and a short scramble.
ModerateLoch Sloy Dam Walk11.3 km · 4 hr · 5.4 km awayA surfaced road leads to a huge dam beneath Ben Vorlich.
Sight · 4 km awayFirkin PointA lochside stop with Ben Lomond views and a long flat path.
Lodging · 4.6 km awayLoch Lomond Holiday ParkPrivate beach, launchable shoreline and lodges facing open water
Sight · 4.7 km awayInversnaid FallsA footbridge brings you close to the tumbling Arklet Burn.
Sight · 4.8 km awayBen LomondA hard climb to a summit with Loch Lomond spread below.
Sight · 5.4 km awayInveruglas Lochside ViewpointA quick lochside stop with Ben Lomond and the Arrochar Alps.
Sight · 6.4 km awayThe Cobbler (Ben Arthur)Three rocky summits, with an optional scramble through the needle.
Lodging · 6.8 km awayInverbeg Holiday ParkA lochside base with lodges, a play area and an on-site shop.Parkwolf’s Loch Lomond & The Trossachs ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
