Balloch Castle Country Park Walk

It’s hard to beat a pleasant stroll in a country park, especially when that park includes a 19th-century castle and sprawling, manicured gardens. Although the Balloch Castle is not open to the public at present, this walk invites you to explore the gorgeous grounds of the 200-acre country park on a trail that takes in its gardens, the Horseshoe Woods, and the peaceful shoreline of Loch Lomond. For a pint or a bite following the walk, head to the cozy Balloch House Pub located on Balloch Road, just a five-minute drive from the park.

The walk begins at the far end of the car park, unfolding on a well-marked path that weaves through the grounds and along the shores of Loch Lomond. The second section features a lovely stretch in the Horseshoe Woods, home to towering, ancient trees. The path soon leads along the mouth of the River Leven, where you’ll spot several boats moored. A gorgeous walled garden soon graces the trail before passing through a stone archway leading to a brief uphill section. Before the walk ends, you’ll take in the castle and its impressive architecture before continuing the small road that leads from it back to the car park where the walk began.