8 Family-friendly Activities in Loch Lomond National Park
Beautiful Loch Lomond sits at the heart of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, just 30 minutes from Glasgow and is an outdoor playground, filled with endless opportunities for family-friendly adventure. Take a boat trip to explore one of the loch’s 37 islands or enjoy a variety of watersports. There’s so much for your family to discover in the surrounding area, from hiking and biking to gardens bursting with colour.
Here are our favourite 8 family-friendly activities in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.
Best Things to do in Loch Lomond with Children
1. Loch Lomond Faerie Trail
Set in the charming village of Luss, the Loch Lomond Faerie Trail is a fantastic day out for the whole family. Follow the magical faerie trail with wee wooden houses, hidden trolls and a mystery to solve! After following the mystical woodland trail, make sure you visit Luss Faerie Tale Farm. This new farm park is home to goats, alpaca, donkeys, sheep and highland cows who can't wait to meet you and your family!
So, pop on your wellies, grab your guide book and set off into a magical woodland trail to discover Faeries, Trolls, Unicorns, slippery slopes, knobbly trees, and fantastic views.
Please note: We advise you to book your tickets to the Loch Lomond Fairy Trail in advance.
2. Scenic hill walking
Image: The Ardgartan and Loch Long circular walk is a fantastic way to spend the day outdoors.
There are plenty of short and longer walking opportunities for you and your family in Loch Lomond Park. The Glenbranter trail is a great short circular trail near Cairndow. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 8 min to complete. You’ll get to see some stunning waterfalls, scenic forest landscapes and generally easy tracks.
The Ardgartan and Loch Long circular walk is another great family-friendly activity in Loch Lomond. Starting near the village of Arrochar, this 3.7km long trail takes about 1 hour to complete, with varied landscapes, including forest and lake views. This is a very gentle route that is great for the whole family. Adults and children alike can enjoy the views of Loch Long.
3. Arrochar & The Arrochar Caves
Starting in the village of Arrochar, this popular 4.5 km trail leads through a scenic forest, up a hill, and onto the Arrochar Caves. Legend has it that the caves were the resting place for the army of Robert the Bruce, following their defeat in 1306 in Methven.
This walk invites you to experience a piece of Scottish history while enjoying the natural beauty of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park – it doesn’t get much better than that!
Please note: This walk has a few challenging, steeper points and might not be suitable for young children. If you do wish to explore the caves (Glen Loin), you will need some balance and awareness.
4. Cycling or Mountain biking
Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park is home to numerous family-friendly cycling trails amongst some of Scotland’s most stunning scenery. A great cycling trail for the whole family is the Loch Eck Banks cycle, starting and finishing at Glenbranter in the Cowal Peninsula. This beautiful family-orientated cycle ride passes along the tranquil beaches and forests of western Loch Eck. The forest track heads along the western shore of Lock Eck for 11km to Benmore Botanical Gardens passing through peaceful forest and many tranquil beaches.
The West Loch Lomond cycle path, starting in the village of Balloch, is another great family-friendly cycle with spectacular views of Loch Lomond and its famous islands, Conic Hill and the most southerly Munro Ben Lomond (974m). There are plenty of loch-side picnic spots and refreshments available in the villages. Find the full route here.
5. Gruffalo Trail & Ardkinglas Estate
Set in the magnificent Ardkinglas Woodland Gardens at the head of Loch Fyne, the official Gruffalo Trail promises to leave your young ones with lifelong memories. Open all year round, the short woodland trail leads you past many sculptures of the book’s friendly characters and selected pages from the Scots version of the famous book.
The Gruffalo Trail is only one of the attractions at Ardkinglas Woodland Gardens, which are also home to an outstanding collection of plants and trees including 'the mightiest conifer in Europe' - a remarkable European Silver Fir with a girth of nearly ten metres. Look out for a range of native birds and a thriving community of red squirrels as you explore.
6. Head to Lochgoilhead
Image: Drimsynie Holiday Park offers some fantastic family-friendly accommodation in the heart of Lochgoilhead.
Located at the top of Loch Goil, the picturesque village of Lochgoilhead makes a great day out for the whole family. Surrounded by steep mountains and forests, the rugged landscape is reminiscent of the Norwegian fjords and is a haven for marine wildlife. The village is a great base for water sports activities, including kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. There are also plenty of popular forest walks around the village, including the 4 km (2.5 mi) Donich Circular and parts of the Cowal Way. At the north end of the Cowal Peninsula is the Argyll Forest Park, which is the UK’s first ever designated forest park (1935).
Make sure to keep an eye out for wildlife whilst exploring the area around Lochgoilhead. Red squirrels, pine marten, otters, red deer and badgers are common, as well as eagles and buzzards on the hills. If you travel around the loch, look for seals and porpoises, sea birds like guillemots and gannets, or go rock pooling to find crabs and sea anemones.
7. Experience Life on a Real Working Farm
Joining a farm tour at the working farm Lennox of Lomond is a guaranteed fun-filled day out for the whole family. The Lennox Family have been farming since the 1750s at Shantron and Shemore Farm. Now farming into their 11th generation, the family loves sharing their unique history and traditional farming practices.
Throughout the year they offer a variety of Farming tours, opening up to the public to come and meet the farmer and learn about what they do on the farm. One of our most popular is our Lambing experience tours which runs between April and May. You could also take part in a Day in the Life of a Farmer which is a full-day experience or a Quad Bike Trailer Tour through their Glens, soaking up the scenery and history. No matter if you’re coming for an hour, one day, or even a stay, there is something for everyone.
Please note: We advise you to reserve your tickets to Lennox of Lomond Farm Tours and accommodation in advance.
8. Loch Lomond Boat Tours
One of the best ways to explore Loch Lomond and its many islands is via boat. Peacefully cruising across the waters provides you with unique views of the surrounding mountains, close-ups of numerous islands and perhaps the chance to spot local wildlife too. The main cruise providers include Sweeney’s Cruise Company departing from Balloch, Cruise Loch Lomond operating from Luss and Tarbert and Helensburgh Boat Trips, offering a selection of different tours and experiences.
Staying the weekend? Discover Loch Lomond Holiday Park
The Loch Lomond Holiday Park is a fantastic base for your family adventures with numerous different accommodations and the opportunity to rent water sports equipment or join a guided tour. A stay at the holiday park will be an adventure in itself!
Other Loch Lomond accommodations include:
