• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to footer

ZigZagonEarth

Plan unforgettable road trips!

  • FRANCE
    • CORSICA
    • NORMANDY
    • PARIS
  • EUROPE
    • ANDALUCIA
    • CANARY ISLANDS
    • CRETE
    • ICELAND
    • ICELAND WINTER
    • MADEIRA
    • MALLORCA
    • PORTUGAL
    • SANTORINI
    • SCOTLAND
    • SLOVENIA
  • REST OF WORLD
    • NEW ZEALAND
    • OMAN
  • TIPS
  • EBOOKS
  • SHOP
  • ABOUT

Glencoe Lochan Walk (Scotland) – Photos + Tips + Trails

Last updated on May 22, 2022 By Claire, the Travel Planning Geek

If you are looking for an easy walk in the Glencoe area, I recommend the Glencoe Lochan Walking Trail.
This easy path takes you around a little lake, under the trees and protected by the surrounding mountains. 
And you may be lucky and get amazing reflections!
Below is my guide to help you plan your walk.

Glencoe Lochan Scotland - Glencoe Walks

Table of Contents
Why visit Glencoe Lochan in Scotland?
Planning tips - Glencoe Lochan Trails Map & more
Glencoe Lochan Walk - Difficulty
Arriving at the little Glencoe lake
Walking around Glencoe Lochan
An environment that brings serenity
Where to stay near Glencoe Lochan

This article contains affiliate links (Disclosure page). If you purchase using my link, I get a commission at no extra cost to you.


Why visit Glencoe Lochan in Scotland?

Most people only drive through the valley of Glencoe. And it is already a wonderful experience (see my pictures and best stops).
A lot of the hikes are steep or long, but there is one simple walk that is very accessible that you can enjoy: Glencoe Lochan.
It is a simple loop around a small loch surrounded by the summits.

Glencoe Lochan, Scotland

Glencoe Lochan, Scotland

Below is a short video to give you a feel for the walk.
Further down you will find directions, distances, info and photos to plan your visit.

The Glencoe forest - why are there trees here?

You may have noticed that the landscapes of the Glencoe valley are very bare.
So why are there trees in this area?
This wood was started in the 19th century by Lord Strathcona to remind his wife of her homeland: Canada.

More photos after the planning tips.


Planning tips - Glencoe Lochan Trails Map & more

How to get to Glencoe Lochan Scotland

  • Not far from the town of Glencoe is a little lake called Glencoe Lochan.
  • The Town of Glencoe is a 2h50min drive from Edinburgh and a 2h drive from Glasgow
  • From the town, take the main road towards the forest. There are a few signs indicating "Glencoe Lochan Forest Walks". Roughly turn 2nd left after the bridge and then right until you reach the carpark. 
Road access to Glencoe Lochan

The GPS coordinates and locations on a practical map are available on both Travel Guide eBooks. They help you easily plan your Scotland road trip:

Plan your dream trip around Scotland!

small Scotland Road Trip Guide ebook cover
  • 15 easy-to-plan maps
  • 170+ pre-selected scenic locations
  • Planning tips to make the most of your time
  • 170+  large photos to decide where to go
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks

LEARN MORE

Glencoe Lochan Trails Map

The area offers 3 walks in the forest.

  • The main one is around the little lake called Glencoe Lochan. It does not have the grand views and bare landscape of the drive through Glen Coe or the many harder hikes available in the area. But after a day's driving, it is a pleasant and serene walk. It goes around the lake and loops back to the carpark.
  • The 2 others go inside the Glencoe forest - views depend on the density of the forest
Glencoe Lochan Trail Map

Glencoe Lochan Trail Map

Glencoe Lochan Trail - Easy walk Glencoe 2

Tips

  • No facilities at the car park
  • Trails are clearly marked
  • The tour of Lochan is an easy walk accessible to wheelchairs. It takes 5 to 10 min to reach the lake on a gentle slope and 45 to do the whole loop with many photo stops.

Can you swim at Glencoe Lochan? Can you Fish?

Glencoe Lochan is regularly stocked with trouts but you need a permit to fish there (to get locally). For more options head down to Loch Leven for sea fishing!
However it is not a swimming area.

Need to rent a car in Scotland?
My tips:

  • Compare prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com - one of the best rated comparison sites!
  • Choose the car and company you prefer (prefer a compact car for the single-lane roads)
  • Consider their full coverage option - I always take it for peace of mind! 
  • Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!

See my 36 tips about renting a car in Scotland


Glencoe Lochan Walk - Difficulty

After reading around the Internet, I decided not to do the mountain trail as most people explained that because of the trees the views were really limited.
There is absolutely no way to get lost... Path is well maintained and indicated with wooden poles with colors.

Glencoe Lochan Trail - Glencoe Walks 2
Glencoe Lochan Trail - Glencoe Walks 1
Glencoe Lochan Trail - Easy walk Glencoe 4
Glencoe Lochan walk

Glencoe Lochan walk

Glencoe Lochan Trail - Glencoe Walks 4

Arriving at the little Glencoe lake

As I arrived at the lake towards the end of the afternoon, I was lucky to be treated with amazing reflections. The lake is surrounded by trees and above you can see some of the mountains peeking through the clouds. Which is why it is included in my list of amazing pictures of Scotland.

Glencoe Lochan Trail - Glencoe Walks 5
Glencoe Lochan Trail - Glencoe Walks 7
Glencoe Lochan Trail - Glencoe Walks 8

Walking around Glencoe Lochan

The path goes under the trees as you discover the shore of the lake. Other peaks appear above the trees. The place is really peaceful.

Glencoe Lochan Trail - Glencoe Walks 9

If I am not mistaken, the pointy summit below is the Pap of Glencoe, culminating at 741 meters.

Glencoe Lochan Trail - Glencoe Walks 10
Glencoe Lochan Trail - Glencoe Walks 11
Glencoe Lochan Trail - Glencoe Walks 12

And when reaching the other end:

Glencoe Lochan Trail - Glencoe Walks 13

An environment that brings serenity

Every angle of the lake has interesting features. Ducks started following us for quite some time to make sure we were not approaching the babies (which we were not... but the ducks did not trust us... or maybe they don't speak English or French)

Glencoe Lochan Trail - Glencoe Walks 16
Glencoe Lochan Trail - Glencoe Walks 17
Glencoe Lochan Trail - Glencoe Walks 18

Where to stay near Glencoe Lochan

You can stay in Glencoe Village or Kinlochleven with amazing views of Loch Leven and the mountains.

Below are some suggestions if you want to stay in Glencoe:

  • the Glencoe House in a historical building - check out pictures and prices
  • the Beechwood cottage B&B for a homy feeling - check out pictures and prices
  • the Boathouse, right by the lake - check out pictures and prices
  • Or You can check the best customer-rated Glencoe accommodations
Glencoe Accommodation

Allengrange B&B

Personally, I drove all the way to Kinlochleven and really enjoyed my stay at the the Allengrange B&B where I enjoyed beautiful views and a delicious breakfast. Check out more photos and availability

Where to stay in Scotland?
My tips:

  • Edinburgh to explore the fascinating city - see best rated accommodations
  • Portree central to explore the isle of Skye - see best rated accommodations
  • Glencoe to take the time in the magnificent valley - see best rated accommodations
  • Ullapool for the West coast on the North 500 - see best rated accommodations
  • Thurso for the North coast and ferry to the Orkneys - see best rated accommodations
  • Kirkwall to explore the Orkneys - see best rated accommodations
  • Inverness for the famous Speyside whiskies - see best rated accommodations

Find more inspiration in my article about where to stay in Scotland


Other highlights of the Glencoe area to discover:

  • The drive on A82 through Glencoe Valley
  • The famous mountain of Buachaille Etive Mor
  • Glen Etive and Loch Etive
  • Touring Loch Leven (the Glencoe one)

Planning a trip to Scotland? 

Check out my travel guide to help you plan:

Plan your dream trip around Scotland!

small Scotland Road Trip Guide ebook cover
  • 15 easy-to-plan maps
  • 170+ pre-selected scenic locations
  • Planning tips to make the most of your time
  • 170+  large photos to decide where to go
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks

LEARN MORE

And keep track of your own trip!

Scotland road trip Journal

Want to see more of SCOTLAND?

PREVIOUS: 

DRIVING GLEN ETIVE

NEXT: 

LOCH LEVEN GLENCOE

Travel Scotland Destination Guide

Inspired? Share it on your favorite platform!

Footer

CONTACT ME

Search

Follow ZigZag on Facebook

Follow ZigZag on Pinterest

Website in French: ZigZagvoyages.fr

Website in German: ZigZagreisen.de

Website in Spanish: ZigZagviajes.com

And discover the French regions:

Normandielovers.fr

LoireLovers.fr

CorsicaLovers.fr

 

Privacy / Terms of Use / Disclosure Policies / Refund policy

Become an affiliate for the ZigZag road trip guides

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. ZigZagOnEarth.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Amazon.uk and Amazon.ca

Copyright © 2023 ZigZag On Earth ยท Log in