Woodland Trail, Inversnaid

The Inversnaid Woodland Trail is a 1.5-mile loop from the Inversnaid Hotel car park, following the West Highland Way north beside Loch Lomond, climbing into Atlantic oakwoods and returning to the shore. Allow about an hour. The short mileage hides a steep climb of about 145 metres and more than 400 steps. I’d choose it for the change from shore to forest, its old settlement remains and a clearing above the loch, not for a level stroll.

Head north on the West Highland Way past an old corrugated-iron boathouse. Just after a little wooden bridge, take the signed path uphill to the right. The narrow trail climbs sharply through oak, hazel, holly and birch. Look beneath the canopy for the stone remains of Cladachbeag, an old settlement. Three benches along the way give you a pause, though none has a back or arm rests. At the grassy clearing, the trees open to a view down Loch Lomond toward Tarbet and the Arrochar Alps. Spring brings bluebells across the woodland floor and birdsong through the canopy. This is the place to pause and frame the water against the distant peaks.

From the clearing the path bears right and drops through the woods, crossing a wooden footbridge over a stream before rejoining the West Highland Way at the water. Turn left for the walk back to the Hotel. Rocky tread and frequent changes in gradient make the loop more demanding than the distance suggests; the path can be slippery or muddy.

The signed trail starts about 500 metres north of the Hotel car park. The 1.5-mile figure here is for the full Hotel-start circuit, including that shore approach and return. RSPB also lists the Woodland Trail as 1 kilometre but does not clarify the distance convention. The council-run Hotel car park has about 40 spaces. There is no café or shop at the reserve; the Hotel serves food in high season, and Stronachlachar has a café 3 miles away. High-season boats from Tarbet offer a car-free approach, but there is no general public transport. Dogs are allowed, on a short lead from 1 April to 15 August and around livestock.