The park has four distinct corners: the busy west shore along the A82, the quiet east shore reached by a dead-end road, the Trossachs around Callander and Aberfoyle, and Breadalbane to the north. Roads between them are slow; pick one or two per day.
1 Balloch and the southern loch
Balloch is the gateway most visitors use: the railway from Glasgow ends a short walk from the cruise piers. The paddle steamer Maid of the Loch, the last built in Britain, is moored here under restoration; Balloch Castle Country Park gives a gentle walk with wide views; and Loch Lomond Shores has shops, an aquarium and boat hire.
Practical: Cruises: paid, 1–2 hours, most of the year. Country park: free. Half a day.
2 Luss
A planned estate village of low slate-roofed cottages hung with roses, set on a shingle beach on the west shore. Walk to the end of the pier for the view of Ben Lomond, visit the little church with its Viking hogback gravestone, and follow the short heritage trail by the river.
Practical: Free; pay-and-display car park (it fills by late morning on sunny weekends). Allow 1–2 hours. Citylink coaches on the Glasgow–Fort William route stop on the main road.
3 Conic Hill and Balmaha
The best view for the least effort. A well-made but steep path climbs from the car park at Balmaha to a 361 m summit right on the Highland Boundary Fault, with the islands strung out in a line below. From Balmaha a tiny ferry crosses in season to Inchcailloch, an island nature reserve of oakwood and bluebells.
Practical: Free. 2–3 hours return; sturdy shoes needed. Bus from Balloch or Drymen to Balmaha; the car park fills early in summer.
4 Ben Lomond
At 974 m, Scotland’s most southerly Munro rises straight from the east shore. The main path from Rowardennan is clear and popular, and on a good day the summit view takes in the whole loch, Arran and Ben Nevis. It is nonetheless a real mountain: conditions on top can be wintry when the shore is warm.
Practical: Free. About 12 km and 5–6 hours return. Proper boots, waterproofs, food and a map; check the mountain forecast.
5 Loch Katrine
The romantic heart of the Trossachs, a long, road-free loch under Ben Venue. The steamship Sir Walter Scott, launched in 1899, still sails from Trossachs Pier, and the traffic-free road along the north shore is perfect for cycling — a popular plan is to sail out to Stronachlachar and ride back. The loch has supplied Glasgow’s drinking water since Victorian times.
Practical: Cruises: paid, 1–2 hours, mainly spring to autumn; book ahead in summer. Bike hire at the pier. By car via Callander or the Duke’s Pass.
6 Callander, Aberfoyle and the Duke’s Pass
Callander is the Trossachs’ main town, with a broad main street of outdoor shops and tearooms and a short walk to Bracklinn Falls. Aberfoyle, to the south-west, has the Lodge Forest Visitor Centre with red squirrel hides and waymarked trails. The twisting Duke’s Pass between them is one of the loveliest short drives in Scotland, with a forest drive and loch viewpoints leading off it. Rob Roy MacGregor, the outlaw hero of the district, is buried in the churchyard at Balquhidder.
Practical: Free; small toll for the Three Lochs Forest Drive (seasonal). Half a day by car.
7 Killin and the Falls of Dochart
At the northern edge of the park, the River Dochart pours over a wide staircase of rock through the middle of the village of Killin, under an old stone bridge that gives a grandstand view. The road here continues to Loch Tay.
Practical: Free, always accessible. 30 minutes. About 45 minutes’ drive north of Callander.
Guided tours: Loch Lomond & The Trossachs
Day trip from €59 From Glasgow: Loch Lomond, the Trossachs & Stirling Castle Tour
The classic short day out from Glasgow: the bonnie banks, the Trossachs hills and time to explore Stirling Castle (entry usually extra — check the listing).
Boat trip from €23 Loch Lomond: 1-Hour Sightseeing Cruise from Balloch
A short, inexpensive sailing on the southern end of the loch with views to Ben Lomond; boats leave a short walk from Balloch station.
