Cowal26

Route:Toward Hall to Glenbranter Forestry Office.
Length: 26.2 miles 41.9 km
Ascent: +1345m -1327m
Naismith: 10h 38m (walking pace)
Terrain : Forestry road and short sections of rural paved road.

I was looking to create a route similar in distance to the Loch Eck Loop, a route that isn’t weather dependent (lower level) or to difficult to navigate but still giving rewarding views. As always staying away from public roads as much as possible and making the route manageable in smaller sections if need be. The availability of public transport is always a bonus. The route can be either cycled or walked and tackled in either direction.

A scenic route, starting from Toward, South Cowal extending to Glenbranter,south of Strachur.

Leaving Toward,heading north, passing above Innellan and Dunoon enjoying view over the Firth of Clyde. Continuing through to Glenkin and on to Glenmassan, before heading to Benmore and finishing at Glenbranter.

I’m going to aim for the 26.2 miles as that’d make it a marathon, should Cowal ever hold it’s own Marathon Trail Run

Please click HERE for interactive map.

Map will default to Auto,however there should be an option in the drop down menu (top right of map) to choose ‘Ordnance Survey GB’. If it’s not an option you may have to register with an email and password (Login). Perhaps set up an email and password (Login) for your club/group that can be shared.

0 miles to 9.5 miles.

Had an afternoon off work, so managed to cover the south section of Route 26. Toward Hall to the link bridge in Bishops Glen,Dunoon. Works in at exactly 9.5 miles.
Got to Toward via a lift but there is a bus service that takes you to the start point.

Further route info available on an interactive map with Route,Statistics and Pictures, click below.
Interactive map HERE.

Pictures from walk,due to light and conditions pictures aren’t the best but give an idea of views and route.

9.5 to 17.65 miles

A wet and windy Sunday morning! Might as well record some of the route in the worst conditions!!
Started off where section 1 finished at the link bridge at the Bishops Glen. This route takes in, Dunoon, Sandbank, Glenkin, Ballochyle, Lower Glenmassan and Benmore with lots to see ( weather permitting ).
Bridge to Bridge came in at 8.15 miles and took me 2hr 45mins, that’s including stopping for pics but little else in the conditions.

See below for pictures and interactive map.

Viewranger have made it possible to view pictures from the route rather than the track only. Clicking on the camera icon at each location should bring up a picture below the map. You can zoom in and out and pan round the map. Any feedback welcome on this mapping system.

INTERACTIVE MAP BY CLICKING HERE

17.65 to 26.2

I finally got round to recording the final section of route 26. This section starts off at Benmore Gardens and finishes at Glenbranter. A scenic loch side journey.

Once I’d figured out where the 26.2 accumulative total ended, I continued the loop of Loch Eck, decided to take the bike for this section so I could get the miles in.

The mathematics were done,I needed 8.55 miles to get the the 26.2 from the bridge at Benmore. Now,whilst it’s not an exact science but this distance brought me to a forestry gate,right in front of Glenshellish farm……an excellent finishing point.

Interactive map with pictures can be found by clicking HERE. It’s for the full Loch Eck Loop but details the western flank of the loch for Route 26. Could always continue and make the route an Ultra!! (38.5ish miles).