Kayaking on Loch Lomond: Hire & Places to Paddle

Kayaking on Loch Lomond is a must-do for the passionate paddler, with a magnificent 23-mile-long waterway to explore.

For an easy starting point, Balloch has plenty of facilities and hire nearby; Aldochlay and Balmaha put the southern islands within reach. You can bring your own unpowered kayak without a paddling licence, or hire one at Luss or Loch Lomond Shores.

Plan your paddle: Places to paddle · Kayak hire · Permits and camping · Weather · Getting there · Maps · FAQs

Situated right at the doorstep to the breath-taking Scottish Highlands, Loch Lomond is bestowed with awesome scenery, abundant wildlife and a rich heritage making it a very popular place for tourism, and for kayaking.

Being the largest lake in Great Britain (by surface area) means there are many and varied kayaking opportunities available on the loch suiting beginners right through to advanced kayakers.

The waterway is used as a recreational destination regularly by kayakers, boaters, campers, canoeists, fishermen, sailors, water skiers, hikers and the like. Because of this fact it’s important for any visitor to understand that, as a source of drinking water, Loch Lomond needs to be treated with respect to maintain its high quality environmental interests.

Affiliate disclosure

We hope you enjoy reading our blog and get value from our content. Just so you know if you purchase anything from links on any of our blog pages we may receive a small payment commission from those sellers/vendors.

Kayaking Loch Lomond has definitely been one of our Scottish kayaking highlights and we do hope you not only enjoy this read, but that you gain some valuable insights to the loch itself in terms of facts, tourism and your responsibilities as a paddler.

Understanding all of these things will ensure that the loch will not be over utilised nor the environment surrounding or within be degraded. As a result, this fantastic destination should certainly be available to avid paddlers long into the future.

In this blog we’ll cover the best places to kayak on Loch Lomond, how to get to Loch Lomond, and provide an extensive overview of many of the kayaking opportunities that Loch Lomond provides.

Tarbet village and autumn hills reflected in the still waters of Loch Lomond

Where are the best places to kayak on Loch Lomond?

1. Aldochlay

This small hamlet on the western shore of Loch Lomond is a great place to kayak from especially if you have an interest in paddling to some of the loch’s bigger islands. This is the closest point to launch from to explore the islands with the crossing to the closest island being only around 150 yards.

Directly offshore from Aldochlay are the islands of Inchtavannach, Inchconnachan and Inchmoan. All these islands offer differing landscapes and varieties of flora and fauna as well as different aspects of historical reference.

On these islands, you’ll discover secluded bays, sandy beaches, abandoned buildings, and even a colony of wallabies on Inchconnachan.

2. Balloch

Balloch, at the southern end of the loch, is the largest town on the waterway so provides the widest array of facilities, accommodations, and attractions in the area.

Balloch is a popular spot for kayakers because of the fact that you can paddle the loch to the north, while the River Leven flows south towards the River Clyde and eventually the Firth of Clyde and the open sea. A trip down the Leven is a separate river route to plan, rather than an extension of a gentle loch paddle.

View over the bow of a red kayak towards a wooded shoreline at dusk

3. Ardlui

At the opposite end of the loch from Balloch stands the tiny settlement of Ardlui. This destination also has the added benefit of a river. The River Falloch flows into the loch from the north, with sheltered water near its mouth to explore when conditions are calm.

For the more adventurous kayaker, however, why not attempt the paddle to the Island I Vow.

The island, which is around one and a half miles paddle south of Ardlui, contains a scheduled castle and settlement. Island I Vow was once the stronghold of the Clan MacFarlane and you can still explore the ancient castle ruins on the island.

4. Tarbet

On the western shoreline and two-thirds of the way towards the north of the loch lies the tiny village of Tarbet.

Kayaking here offers magnificent views across the loch to the imposing peak of Ben Lomond and wide-open water spaces for longer paddles when the conditions suit your experience. Just a little further north than Tarbet Isle, a short paddle up the loch from the village, is the Deepest part of Loch Lomond at around 630 feet.

The added bonus of selecting Tarbet as your launching destination is that just a mile and a half west lies the sea waterway of Loch Long which also offers some awesome kayaking scenery and, as the loch is saltwater, an array of sea-going wildlife such as dolphins and even the occasional whale.

Kayak paddle above still water reflecting hills and a golden evening sky

5. Balmaha

Opposite Aldochlay on the eastern-shore is the village of Balmaha which has become increasingly popular with kayakers, water sport enthusiasts, hikers, and day-tripping picnickers. With a quaint little harbour backed by the town with views across to woodland and mountains, this village is also very popular with photographers.

The Islands of Inchcailloch, Inchfad, and Clairinsh lie just off the shoreline of Balmaha and are popular kayaking destinations. Inchcailloch has some ancient church ruins and a graveyard that had been in use as recently as 1947 as well as a wooded summit which affords awesome views over Loch Lomond.

6. Rowardennan

The small rural community of Rowardennan lies at the end of the road north from Balmaha, beside the West Highland Way on the eastern shore of the loch.

There are easy launch spots here for access to Loch Lomond and there are coves and inlets all along this stretch of shoreline to explore. Three tiny islets in the loch here provide picture opportunities and although they are really nothing more than lightly vegetated rocky outcrops they are worth a landing and look about.

Paddling just a couple of miles south of Rowardennan you’ll reach Sallochy and the Ross Promontory and further islets to explore.

A kayaker paddling a red kayak towards distant hills on Loch Lomond

Where can you hire a kayak?

If you don’t have your own kayak, Loch Lomond Leisure offers single and twin kayaks, plus guided trips. Its location guide lists kayak hire at Luss Beach and Loch Lomond Shores in Balloch. Check your booking for the meeting point.

One-hour hire: £35 for a single kayak or £45 for a twin.
Two-hour hire: £50 for a single or £70 for a twin.
Included: kayak, paddle and buoyancy aid, with a briefing before you set off.

These are the operator’s published prices per kayak, checked on 6 October 2026; confirm the price and availability when booking. If you’re new to paddling and would enjoy some company on the water, ask about a guided session.

Do you need a permit?

No paddling licence is required for an unpowered kayak on Loch Lomond. Responsible non-motorised access is covered by the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Parking, commercial launch facilities and camping can have separate arrangements.

Those rights mentioned above are fully explained in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code’s watersports guidance. For the differences elsewhere in Britain, see our UK kayak licence guide.

The Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority has useful canoeing and kayaking guidance. Their current Loch Lomond Byelaws are worth a read before visiting: under-16s must wear a life jacket or buoyancy aid on a moving kayak; those aged 16 and over must carry one, and wearing it is recommended. Registration requirements for engine-powered craft are separate from ordinary unpowered kayaking.

The core key principles of the access rights are simple:

Care for the environment;
Take responsibility for your own actions;
Respect the interests of other people

Can you camp during a kayaking trip?

A paddle and an overnight stay can be a lovely way to enjoy the loch. Between 1 March and 30 September, camping inside the National Park’s Camping Management Zones requires a campsite or camping permit. Outside those zones, responsible access rules still apply. For an island stay, Inchcailloch’s small campsite takes advance bookings.

Boats moored below a wooded hillside overlooking Loch Lomond near Balmaha

What is the weather like for kayaking on Loch Lomond?

Checking out the weather forecast before visiting any potential destination, for most people, is an essential part of their kayaking planning. As always we’ve found the Met Office to have the most reliable and up to date information on all destinations we visit. The Weather on Loch Lomond has been described as changeable so being prepared for fluctuations is highly recommended.

With July being the hottest month in Scotland it’s no wonder Loch Lomond is so popular throughout that month and into August.

For paddling, look at the wind speed, gusts and direction as well as the temperature. A calm morning can be a lovely opportunity for a shoreline paddle.

Choose your route around the forecast for the day, including the return journey.

How cold is the water?

The water temperature in the height of summer in Loch Lomond has often been described as being cold to very cold so make your own assumptions from that. If you are a local you might find this a balmy temperature for kayaking or taking a quick splash but folks from further south might find themselves feeling like they are literally freezing.

Dress for the water temperature as well as the weather, with a suitable wetsuit or drysuit for the conditions and a properly fitted buoyancy aid. A sunny day does not necessarily mean warm water.

Thankfully there are all sorts of protective clothing and equipment that a kayaker can utilise to minimise the cold temperatures of the loch.

Watch a paddle on the loch

We hope you enjoy this amazing drone footage of Kayaking on Loch Lomond. Such a gorgeous setting to explore a wonderful corner of the world. We’d love it if you’d check out our YouTube Channel (and maybe subscribe if you feel comfortable doing so!)

How do you get to Loch Lomond?

By road, the A82 follows the western side of the loch, serving Luss, Tarbet and Ardlui. For Balmaha and Rowardennan on the eastern shore, travel via Drymen and Balmaha. Pick your starting village before setting off: there is no road bridge across the loch.

For public transport, Balloch, Arrochar & Tarbet, and Ardlui have railway stations. Balloch is a handy option if you’re travelling from Glasgow and hiring locally. Use the National Park travel guide and ScotRail’s Loch Lomond guide to plan your connection. Hiring at the loch also saves you transporting a boat.

Map and village locations

The best online map of Loch Lomond that we’ve found is the one provided by the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority and you can view that National Park map PDF.

Use these Google Maps links to find the six villages mentioned above. They locate the villages, rather than marking an approved slipway or parking space.

A final word

With island bays, mountain views and so many different stretches of shoreline, there’s plenty here to tempt you back for another paddle. Choose the corner of the loch that appeals to you, give yourself time to enjoy it, and make a day of this gorgeous setting.

Planning more paddling nearby? Our kayaking in Glasgow guide explores other lochs, canals and rivers in the area.

About the author: I’m Mark, enthusiastic paddler and owner of Kayak Mad! Read more about me and Kayak Mad.

Loch Lomond kayaking FAQs

Do I need a licence to kayak on Loch Lomond?

No paddling licence is required for an unpowered kayak on Loch Lomond. Follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and local byelaws. Parking, commercial launch facilities and camping may have separate fees or arrangements.

Where is a good place to start kayaking on Loch Lomond?

Balloch is convenient for facilities and kayak hire at Loch Lomond Shores. Luss also has hire, while Aldochlay and Balmaha are useful starting points for exploring the southern islands. Choose a route that suits the wind and your paddling experience.

Can beginners kayak on Loch Lomond?

Yes. A short shoreline paddle in calm conditions or a guided session can be a lovely introduction. Hire operators can help you choose a suitable outing; open-water crossings are a different undertaking from a sheltered first paddle.

How much does kayak hire on Loch Lomond cost?

Loch Lomond Leisure lists one-hour hire at £35 for a single kayak and £45 for a twin, or two hours at £50 and £70 respectively. Prices are per kayak and were checked on 6 October 2026. Confirm availability and current prices when booking.

Can I bring an inflatable kayak to Loch Lomond?

Yes, you can bring your own inflatable kayak. It should be suitable for the conditions and properly inflated to the manufacturer’s instructions. Choose a manageable shoreline route and pay particular attention to wind strength and direction.

Can I camp on a Loch Lomond kayaking trip?

Yes, but plan where you will stay. From 1 March to 30 September, camping inside Camping Management Zones requires a campsite or camping permit. Inchcailloch has a small bookable campsite. Responsible access rules apply outside the zones too.

Kayaking on Loch Lomond | A Definitive Paddling Guide