Long-distance walk
Camping on the John Muir Way near Drymen
Scotland’s coast-to-coast route passes our corner of Stirlingshire on its first full day out of Balloch. The cycle route runs along Gartness Road, a few hundred metres from our gate.
- Helensburgh to Dunbar
- 134 miles
- Walking and cycling routes
- One of Scotland’s Great Trails
The John Muir Way is a 134-mile (215km) coast-to-coast route across Scotland from Helensburgh to Dunbar, usually taking nine to eleven days on foot. It is one of Scotland’s Great Trails, waymarked throughout. On the Balloch to Strathblane section the walking and cycling routes split: the cycle route runs along Gartness Road with the West Highland Way, within about 600 metres of Drymen Camping, while the walking route takes the higher line over the Kilpatrick Hills.
Does the John Muir Way pass Drymen Camping?
The cycle route does, almost. On the Balloch to Strathblane section, about 18 miles long, the route runs flat for the first seven and a half miles and then splits. The cycling route takes the easier, lower line, crossing the Endrick Water and joining Gartness Road, where it runs together with the West Highland Way. At its closest it is about 600 metres from our gate.
The walking route goes south instead, over the Kilpatrick Hills, the highest and most remote part of the whole Way. At its nearest it is about three miles from us, so walkers on the official line usually stop in Balloch or Strathblane rather than here.
Who is it for?
Anyone crossing Scotland by bike will find the cycle route past us an easy place to break the first long day out of Helensburgh and Balloch. Walkers who would rather avoid the Kilpatricks, or who are combining it with the West Highland Way, can follow the lower line past Gartness too.
What do you get for the night?
A grass pitch from £14 per adult with toilets, hot walk-in showers, charging and wi-fi included, and a sheltered communal area for cooking. We have pods if you would rather not pitch, and we sell gas and TentMeals in the shop.
The Scotland’s Great Trails page for the John Muir Way has the full route, maps and the latest diversions. Check it before you set off.
Last updated .
The John Muir Way, section by section
Choose a stage to see where it runs. The one nearest Drymen Camping is marked.
- John Muir Way
- National Park
- Water
- Drymen Camping
Stages and distances from the John Muir Way route sections (archived official site). Route line from OpenStreetMap, ODbL. National Park boundary from OpenStreetMap. Always follow the waymarks and the official route on the ground.
The map shows the walking route. Between Balloch and Strathblane the cycle route takes a lower line along Gartness Road, about 600 metres from our gate.
Other routes from our gate
- Walk
West Highland Way
96 miles (154km)
Right on the trail, where Stage 1 ends and Stage 2 begins. Guides to both: Milngavie to Drymen, and Drymen to Rowardennan.
Read more - Walk
Rob Roy Way
79 miles (127km)
Starts at Drymen Square, about a mile on from our gate. Seven stages to Pitlochry.
Read more - Cycle
National Cycle Route 7
547 miles (881km)
Passes our gate on Gartness Road, between Balloch and Aberfoyle. Sunderland to Inverness.
Read more - Bikepacking
Great North Trail
About 800 miles
Cycling UK’s off-road route to Cape Wrath and John o’ Groats comes past our gate on its way through Drymen.
Read more - Walk
Land’s End to John o’ Groats
About 1,200 miles on foot
The End to End. Most walking routes cross Scotland on the West Highland Way, which passes our gate.
Read more - Bikepacking
Badger Divide
About 210 miles (338km)
Gravel route from Glasgow to Inverness. On its first day out of Glasgow it passes about a kilometre from our gate.
Read more
Questions about the John Muir Way
Does the John Muir Way go through Drymen?
The cycle route comes close. Between Balloch and Strathblane the walking and cycling routes split: the cycle route runs along Gartness Road with the West Highland Way, about 600 metres from Drymen Camping, while the walking route crosses the Kilpatrick Hills, about three miles to the south.
Walking the Way this year?
The 2027 season runs from Sunday 14 March, with the last night on Friday 8 October and last check-out on Saturday 9 October.