John Muir Trail Stage 2: Balloch to Carbeth

Описание: Overview
Stage 2: Balloch to Carbeth was a fair distance - 16 miles in length with a time of 7 hours.

A meander through Balloch Castle Country Park followed by long sections on tarmac roads that leads through quiet trails.

Later the way headed through forestry and past reservoirs to the old Carbeth Inn that has a relatively new St Mocha Coffee and Drive Thru to nourish the weary and elated traveler….

Section 1:
Starting from Balloch Road, between the tourist information centre and the railway station. We walk east, then immediately turning left before Balloch House Hotel to join the path which follows the River.Leven. A great introduction, with boats, ducks and views out towards Loch Lomond and mingling with morning “doggy walkers” - keeping left at several forks to follow the path as it leads through the trees and eventually reaches the shores of the loch. “Hang a right" away from the shore at the boathouse and up and around Balloch Castle - reflecting, and paying respect at the beautiful remembrance trees for ‘passed’ loved ones in the shadow of the castle.

Continue on the tarred lane beyond, and when this track forks bear left, then straight across at the next junction - now following the blue sign for cycle route 7 - to follow the exit road that leads east out of the park. Once past the gates, go straight ahead on the minor road, emerging on the A811 in around a mile. A great “natter’ with a local gardener, who shared his wisdom of nature and a Scots farming poem about “closing the gate” safely behind you. This links into the the ‘Farmers Creed’ by Diego Flammini https://www.farms.com/ag-industry-new...

Section 2
Turn left at the main road (A811 Balloch to Drymen) then take the next fork on the right (cycle route 7 sign - the route follows these all the way to beyond Croftamie). Bear right at the fork uphill, then continue along the minor road for 2 miles or so, passing several houses. A ‘morning brew’ at the Finartx Oil Booster station

Section 3
Straight ahead until the T junction where we turn left for a about a mile where we had a friendly chat with ‘Alison’ - a local gardener, who gifted us scrumptious tomatoes for lunch. Straight ahead once more, ignore the road branching left (signed Gartocharn), continuing along the cycle route, ignoring the next on the left (signed Croftamie where John Muir walkers and road cyclists part company) and then at a T-junction turn left, following the road till its end at Wester Cameron farm

Section 4
Continue straight ahead along the farm track which soon turns sharp right and heads uphill going through a gate, there are good views towards the Loch Lomond hills. As you near the forestry plantation turn right to go through a wooden gate (ignoring the metal gate ahead) and keep straight on the main track through a fairly monotonous section of fir plantation, ignore the two forestry tracks to the left eventually turning left onto a clear, signed path which meanders through the trees, over a footbridge and crosses straight over a track before climbing to reach open ground.

Section 5
The path now approaches the dam of Burncrooks Reservoir, keep right where a path diverts down to the dam and head round to the right side (east) of the water. The left path to the north leads to a Farm Shop opposite the Auchengillan Outdoor Centre. The east path now climbs and continues round the reservoir with good views across to the Campsie fells on the skyline.

Section 6
At the far side of the water turn right at a track and then immediately left to soon reach the approach road to the dam at a gate. Turn right after the gate and after heading downhill go through the gate and past the buildings of the filter station. Keep straight on down the road and at the bottom turn left away from the large white Auchineden Farmhouse and then take the next right to pass in front of the farmhouse towards the Edenmill cafe and farm shop. Follow the signs to cross to the opposite side of the car park, passed the “tunnel tent’ and down to a track where you turn left.This rough path leads to an ‘easier going’ one -that passes Carbeth Loch with its ardent anglers enjoying midges and sporting fish.

At the road end turn left along a ‘wild flowered’ pathway that takes you up to the derelict Carbeth Inn where we cross Stockiemuir Road to St Mocha Coffee and Drive Thru for a heart warming refreshment.


Journey's end for the current time. (smile).

References:
John Muir Way, Scotland
https://johnmuirway.org/


Balloch Information Centre
https://www.seelochlomond.co.uk/disco...

St Mocha Coffee and Drive Thru
https://www.theoaktreeinn.co.uk/food-...

Auchengillan Outdoor Centre
https://www.auchengillan.com/

Jim’s Website
http://zexplorers.com/