Lag na Driseige

Route Overview & Local Insights

Experience the rugged beauty of the Cowal Peninsula on this 8.0km loop starting from the shores of Ardentinny Bay. This route offers a quintessential Scottish trail running experience, blending a fast 25% paved section with rolling forest tracks that climb 205m through the Ardentinny Forest. Runners can expect a firm but natural underfoot feel on the gravel paths as they navigate the moderate "hilly" rating, weaving through towering conifers and ancient mossy glades. The loop around Lag na Driseige provides a perfect balance of physical challenge and scenic reward, with the quiet woodland atmosphere occasionally breaking to reveal stunning glimpses of Loch Long’s deep blue waters.

Ardentinny itself is steeped in West Highland history, long serving as a strategic ferry point between the Cowal hills and the mainland. This specific area near Lag na Driseige was historically significant for the local timber industry, and today it remains one of the most biodiverse corners of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. While you push your pace under the canopy, keep an eye out for the rare red squirrels—a local icon—that thrive in these quiet woods. Finishing back at the bay, you are standing on what is arguably the longest sandy beach in the Cowal area, an ideal spot for a post-run cold water dip to soothe the legs after those forest climbs.