Tarbet to Arrochar link path
A waymarked 2.6 km route from Arrochar & Tarbet station to Arrochar, taking about an hour one way with elevated views and a few steep sections.
See the route on WalkhighlandsYour pre-arrival guide
Make the most of Tarbet, Arrochar and Loch Lomond.
Save this page before your stay. It brings together the best nearby walks, cruises, food stops, shops, wet-weather options and practical local advice, then links to fuller guides when you want the detail.
Quick start
Five useful things to know before you arrive.
This is a rural Highland base, so a little planning pays dividends and prevents the first evening becoming an accidental scavenger hunt.
Check the weather twice Use the Met Office local forecast for ordinary outings and the Southwest Highlands mountain forecast before any hill day. Conditions on The Cobbler can be very different from the village.
Book popular activities and dinner ahead Loch Lomond cruises, restaurants and organised outdoor activities can fill up, particularly at weekends and during school holidays.
Plan groceries before arrival Braeside Stores in Arrochar is the nearest useful shop for milk, bread, snacks and forgotten basics. For a longer stay or a full family shop, arrange a supermarket delivery to the cottage before travelling.
Allow extra road time The A82 and A83 are scenic but can be slow. Build in time for traffic, roadworks, coaches and irresistible photo stops.
Download routes before setting out Mobile coverage can vary around glens and mountain areas. Carry a proper map and suitable equipment for serious walks.
Close to the cottages
Easy local plans without a full day in the car.
Tarbet sits on Loch Lomond while Arrochar lies just across the narrow strip of land on Loch Long. That gives you two lochs, forest paths and mountain scenery within minutes.
Tarbet Pier and lochside
Enjoy the water, boats and mountain backdrop. The pier area has public toilets and a café, and it is the departure point for several Loch Lomond cruises.
Read the National Park Tarbet guideArrochar and Loch Long
Walk or drive around the head of Loch Long for views towards the Arrochar Alps, then stop for food or a drink in the village.
Open our Arrochar guideShort forest routes
Choose Tarbet Isle, Succoth Circuit or Ardgartan for a lower-level walk when summits are hidden or the group wants a gentler day.
Compare nearby walksLoch Lomond by boat
One of the easiest memorable days from Tarbet.
Tarbet is a principal departure point for Cruise Loch Lomond. The simplest option is the 60-minute circular cruise, while selected services combine the boat with walking on the eastern shore.
Tarbet Circular A one-hour round trip past northern Loch Lomond scenery, Inversnaid waterfalls and the Arrochar Alps, with covered seating, an open deck, toilets and refreshments aboard.
West Highland Way Rambler Selected weekend sailings cross to Rowardennan, followed by a roughly 7.5-mile walk to Inversnaid and a boat return to Tarbet.
Ben Lomond Explorer Selected Saturday sailings connect Tarbet with Rowardennan for experienced, properly equipped walkers planning Ben Lomond.
Check before travelling Sailing dates, times and availability change seasonally. Book directly and arrive at the pier with time to park.
Walking
Choose the hill to suit the weather and the group.
The Arrochar Alps reward preparation rather than optimism. Start with current forecasts and route reports, then choose a day that matches everyone’s ability.
The Cobbler, Ben Arthur
The local classic from Succoth. It is a serious mountain walk despite its popularity, and the true summit involves exposed scrambling that many walkers sensibly avoid.
Read The Cobbler guideEight nearby walks compared
See distances, typical times and difficulty for Tarbet Isle, Succoth, Ardgartan, Glen Loin, Ben Donich, The Cobbler and other routes.
Choose a local walkPlan around an early start
Our Tarbet cottages are around five minutes by car from the usual Cobbler starting point at Succoth, making breakfast, parking and the return much easier.
Plan a Cobbler breakExplore responsibly
Check access notices, mountain weather and National Park advice, carry suitable clothing and water, and leave no trace.
National Park walking adviceFood, drink and supplies
The nearest essentials are only minutes away.
Opening days and kitchen hours can change seasonally, so check directly before setting out, particularly outside summer.
Kirk O’ The Lochs
A restored-church restaurant and bar on Station Road beside the cottages, serving Scottish food with a beer garden and dog-friendly options. Booking ahead is recommended.
Telephone: 01389 542699
Book a table onlineBraeside Stores, Arrochar
A convenient local store and newsagent for milk, bread, snacks, drinks and forgotten essentials. Telephone 01301 702304. Check current opening hours before making a special journey.
View local shops and servicesArrange a supermarket delivery
For a family shop or a stay of several nights, a supermarket delivery to the cottage is usually easier and gives far more choice than relying on village stores.
Ask about delivery detailsThe Village Inn, Arrochar
A lochside inn at the head of Loch Long, useful for a relaxed meal or drink after exploring. Reserve ahead during busy periods.
View The Village InnWeather-proof planning
Three ready-made day plans.
Rather than pinning the entire holiday to one forecast, keep a sunny plan, a mixed-weather plan and a wet-day escape ready.
Mountain and loch
Start early on The Cobbler or another suitable hill, return for a shower, then finish with a gentle walk at Tarbet Pier or dinner next door at Kirk O’ The Lochs.
Choose the walkCruise and village time
Take a covered Loch Lomond cruise from Tarbet, enjoy the pier and café, then spend the afternoon around Arrochar or on a short woodland route.
Check the circular cruiseGo south for indoor options
Use Balloch and Loch Lomond Shores for indoor attractions, food and shopping, or check the current monthly guide for events around Stirling and Callander.
See current event guidesUse a simple itinerary
Balance one active day, one loch or road-trip day and one flexible local day. That leaves room for weather without wasting the stay.
Open the weekend guideKeep this guide handy during your stay.
Use it as the starting point, then follow the detailed walking, Loch Lomond, Arrochar and monthly event guides without looping back through duplicate pages.