Search for things to do in Scotland and you’ll find Loch Lomond high up on every list. It gets over 4 million visitors a year, and when you see the place, that’s not hard to believe.
A day trip is fine, but you’d be selling the loch short.
This guide covers what to do at Loch Lomond, from easy walks to proper hill climbs, kayaking, wild swimming, island visits, and a few ideas for when the weather turns.
My favourite things to do at Loch Lomond
My favourite things to do at Loch Lomond include:
- For the best views → Climb Conic Hill for a fabulous view over the loch
- Best easy walks → Hike Duncryne Hill at the south end, near Balloch
- Best active days → Head out kayaking around the Loch Lomond islands, or even go swimming in the loch
- Bad weather → Visit the brand new Luss Distillery
- On the water → Loch Lomond boat cruise
- With kids → SEA LIFE Loch Lomond
Got longer?
1. Find the best views of Loch Lomond
The A82 runs alongside the loch, but driving it won’t give you much. Instead follow the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Scenic Route. It takes you to a series of ‘view sculptures’ placed at deliberate vantage points: Woven Sound at the Falls of Falloch, An Ceann Mòr at Inveruglas, and the National Park’s war memorial at Rowardennan, which looks out over the Arrochar Alps.
For a proper elevated view, climb Conic Hill. The path goes through forest, then opens onto a ridge with a wide outlook south over the loch. It also sits on the Highland Boundary Fault, the geological line dividing the Scottish lowlands and highlands — you can see this traced across the islands below. It’s a short climb and well within reach of most people.
2. Discover the best walks at Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond sits inside Scotland’s first national park, covering 720 square miles with 21 Munros (peaks over 3,000 feet). There’s a walk here for any fitness level.
Easy: Duncryne Hill
Near Balloch at the southern end of the loch, Duncryne Hill gets far fewer visitors than the better-known trails nearby. It’s a short climb with good views south over the water, worth it if you want a quiet morning without much effort.
More short walks around Loch Lomond include:
- The Falls of Falloch – A 20-minute walk off the A82. A great spot for a wander or picnic, but beware of poor parking and litter on busy days.
- Firkin Point – A picnic area with a 6-mile lochside path suitable for all abilities.
Moderate: Conic Hill from Balmaha
The hike up Conic Hill starts in Balmaha, a small village on the eastern shore. The path is well-marked and the views from the top are the best reason to do it.
Afterwards, walk around the waterfront and look out for the statue of Tom Weir, the Scottish climber and broadcaster who became something of a national institution. Ferries to Inchcailloch Island also leave from Balmaha.
How to climb Conic Hill and more: things to do at Balmaha
Challenging: Ben Lomond
Whilst the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond are spectacular, to see its true beauty you need to get up high. With 41 mountains over 2000ft, the area is a hill walker’s paradise.
Important safety note: If you haven’t hill walked before, or are visiting in winter, please consider whether you have the correct gear and weather conditions. Check MWIS (West Highlands forecast) and read up on hillwalking in Scotland before heading out.
Ben Lomond is Scotland’s most southerly Munro, at 974 metres (3,196 feet). The hike from the Rowardennan car park takes four and a half to six hours.
Two routes go to the summit: the tourist trail is longer but straightforward; the Ptarmigan Ridge is shorter but steep and rocky in places. On a clear day at the top you can see Loch Katrine, the Trossachs, and the Arrochar Alps.
How to climb Ben Lomond
If you have climbed Ben Lomond why not try:
- Beinn Dubh (Luss) – Climb the Black Mountain above Luss to spot the islands of Inchlonaig and Inchtavanach.
- Ben Vorlich – Towering above the north end of Loch Lomond, this dramatic Munro dominates the Arrochar Alps.
Long Distance: The West Highland Way
The West Highland Way runs from Milngavie, just north of Glasgow, up through the national park and north to Fort William. It follows the eastern shore of Loch Lomond for a long stretch. Most people walk it over several days, but picking up a section along the lochside makes for a good afternoon on its own.
You could also walk:
- The Great Trossachs Path – A 30-mile route from Inversnaid to Callander via Loch Katrine.
- The Loch Lomond and Cowal Way – A 57-mile trail from Portavadie on Loch Fyne to Inveruglas.
- The Three Lochs Way – A 34-mile route linking Loch Long, Gare Loch, and Loch Lomond via historic military roads.
3. Explore Loch Lomond by bike
Whether you like to cycle up mountains or prefer something more leisurely, Loch Lomond offers excellent cycling.
- West Loch Lomond Cycle Path – A 17-mile route suitable for all ages, linking Balloch, Duck Bay, Luss, Inverbeg, and Tarbet.
- National Cycle Route 7 – The Lochs & Glens North section runs from Balloch to Lochearnhead along an almost entirely traffic-free tarmac path.
If you fancy hiring a bike, there are plenty of options listed on the National Park website.
4. Explore the Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve
Covering much of the south of Loch Lomond, the Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve includes the RSPB Loch Lomond Reserve, home to ospreys, and the wooded island of Inchcailloch.
To reach the reserve’s islands, catch the Loch Lomond Water Bus.
5. Visit Inchcailloch Island
Otherwise known as the ‘island of the old women’, Inchcailloch was once home to a nunnery founded by St Kentigerna and later became the burial ground of Clan MacGregor.
Now part of the Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve, the island is accessible by water bus from Luss and Balmaha, with additional on-demand services from Balmaha boatyard.
A circular path leads around the island and up to a viewpoint with beautiful views across the loch. Camping is permitted with a permit, and the campsite is open from 1 March to 30 September.
6. Get out on the water
The loch is the largest inland body of water in Great Britain by surface area. Let’s get out on the water:
Kayaking, Canoeing, and SUP
The loch has 22 islands and 27 islets, and paddling between them is one of the better ways to spend a day here. Several operators around the shore hire out boats and run guided trips. The southern end is sheltered and suitable for beginners. The northern end narrows and gets wilder if you want more of a challenge.
Popular routes include:
- Balmaha → Inchcailloch → Inchlonaig
- Luss → Inchconnachan (famous for its wallabies)
- Firkin Point along the quieter western shore
Scotland’s Right to Roam legislation allows wild camping throughout the national park, which means you can spend a night on a loch island with no permit required.
Loch Lomond isn’t just for paddling or boating — it’s one of Scotland’s best places for wild swimming, especially in sheltered bays.
Good swim spots include:
- Balmaha Bay – Sandy entry and gradual depth
- Firkin Point – Quieter with less boat traffic
- Duck Bay – Calm water early in the morning
Boat Cruises
Several companies run cruises with audio commentary on the area’s history, early settlements, and the clan conflicts that shaped the loch’s shoreline. The view from the water also reveals castles and village buildings that you can’t easily see from the road. Evening cruises run in summer.
Wild Swimming
The loch is swimmable and increasingly popular for it. For those who want the full cold-water experience, Hot Tottie Sauna in Luss runs a 10-person sauna on the lochside where you can move between the heat and the water. It books up, so it’s worth checking ahead.
Water Skiing
The Loch Lomond Water Ski Club takes visitors at all levels, with instruction available from beginners through to competitive standard.
7. Still visit Loch Lomond in the rain
Loch Lomond isn’t just a fair-weather destination, here are my favourite things to do at Loch Lomond in the rain:
- Loch Lomond Shores (Balloch) – Visit the Sealife Centre, browse the shops, and warm up in the cafés.
- Luss Distillery – Opened in autumn 2025, this waterfront distillery and visitor centre showcases Loch Lomond whisky and Ben Lomond Gin.
- SEA LIFE Loch Lomond — works for all ages, entirely under cover
- Loch Lomond Shooting School — clay pigeon shooting, open to complete beginners
8. Visit the villages around the loch
Several small villages around Loch Lomond are well worth exploring.
Luss is a small village on the western shore with stone cottages, a parish church dating to the 19th century, and a beach on the loch. It gets busy in summer because it photographs well and is easy to reach from the A82, but early mornings it’s quiet.
You can also visit Drymen, a traditional village and a key stop on the West Highland Way and Balmaha, the gateway to Conic Hill, with a great pub, boat trips, and island ferries.
Read more – things to do at Balmaha.
10. Days Out with Kids
SEA LIFE Loch Lomond at Loch Lomond Shores has seven themed zones and holds Scotland’s largest shark collection. There are otters and a hands-on rock pool section. It’s fully indoors and works well on a wet day.
Go Wild Loch Lomond is a treetop activity course with zip wires, rope bridges, and hanging platforms through the forest canopy. The final zip wire has a good view over the loch.
Balloch Castle Country Park covers 200 acres on the lochside with woodland paths, a walled garden, and an early 19th-century country house. It’s free to enter and good for a few hours of roaming about.
Where to Stay in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs
Camping & Wild Camping at Loch Lomond
Wild camping is restricted from March to September and requires a permit (£3 per night). From October to February, wild camping is permitted in line with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. .
Camping & Glamping
Beinglas Farm, Loch Katrine Eco Camp, and Sallochy Campsite all offer well-located options.
Hotels & Lodges
Accommodation around the loch ranges from basic hostels to a five-star resort, and where you base yourself matters — the eastern shore, western shore, and southern end each have a different character.
- Cameron House on the southern western shore is the most high-profile option in the area — a five-star resort with a spa, marina, and its own golf course. Rooms are expensive but the setting on the water is hard to argue with. It burned down in 2017 and reopened fully in 2021, so the interior is largely new.
- Lodge on the Loch Lomond sits right on the beach at Luss with direct loch access and a pool. The rooms face the water and some have their own saunas. It’s family-run and Colquhoun’s restaurant downstairs is worth eating at even if you’re not staying.
- The Oak Tree Inn at Balmaha on the eastern shore is a good option for walkers, it’s right on the West Highland Way, the staff are used to muddy boots, and the food in the pub is good. It also has self-catering cottages nearby if you want more space.
- The Inn on Loch Lomond , a few miles north of Luss on the A82, is quieter and cheaper than the main resort hotels. It has a decent pub, fires in winter, and the kind of lochside position that costs considerably more elsewhere.
Self-catering cottages are available throughout the area and tend to offer better value than hotels for stays of more than two nights. The villages around the southern end of the loch, Luss, Balmaha, Gartocharn, all have options, and booking well ahead in summer is sensible.
Eating & Drinking Around Loch Lomond
The Oak Tree Inn, Balmaha is the most consistently recommended pub on the eastern shore. It’s a multi-award-winning family business, the food is well above average pub standard, and St Mocha next door roasts its own coffee on-site. The ice cream is also theirs.
The Clachan Inn, Drymen claims to be Scotland’s oldest licensed pub, with records going back to 1734. It’s in the village of Drymen, a short drive from the loch. The food is good-quality pub cooking — steak pie, fish and chips, that sort of thing — and the whisky selection is wide. Book ahead on weekends; it fills up.
The Village Rest, Luss has been serving food since 1705 and occupies a good spot on the pier in Luss. The menu runs from soups and stovies to haggis and burgers. Long wooden tables, an open fire in winter, and the owner bakes the cakes. Not fancy, but reliable and worth stopping in.
Colquhoun’s Restaurant at The Lodge on Loch Lomond has full-length windows onto the water and a menu built around Scottish produce. It opens all day from breakfast through to dinner and is the best option if you want a proper sit-down meal with a loch view.
The Drovers Inn, Inverarnan is one of those places that feels like it hasn’t changed much in 300 years — stuffed animals, open fires, swords on the walls, and traditional music at weekends. The food is hearty rather than refined, and the bar is the best place to eat. Worth stopping in for a drink at minimum.
Loch Lomond Brewery is based in Alexandria and supplies many of the pubs around the loch. Their cans are sold across Scotland if you want to take something back.
Getting to Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond is only 30 minutes north of Glasgow and around 1 hour 20 minutes from Edinburgh.
- By Train – direct trains run from Glasgow to Balloch, with West Highland Line services stopping at Arrochar, Tarbet, and Ardlui.
- By Bus – Citylink services to Fort William (914) and Skye (915) stop at Balloch, Duck Bay, Luss, Inverbeg, and Tarbet. Local buses link Balloch with Luss, Drymen, Balmaha, and surrounding villages.
- By Water Bus – In summer, water buses operate on Loch Lomond, connecting villages, walking routes, and transport links.
This guide is designed to help you explore Loch Lomond beyond a day trip, whether you’re hiking Munros, visiting islands, cycling lochside paths, or sheltering from the rain.
Kate – Love from Scotland x
