Helensburgh & District Access Trust - HADAT

Directions Website

Helensburgh & District Access Trust - HADAT Bringing paths and access to the Helensburgh & Lomond area. (see link on home page). Please get in touch if you'd like to help.

The group that brought you the Upland Way (Hill House path) & The Three Lochs Way - a long distance trail from Balloch to Inveruglas on Loch Lomond and one of Scotland's "Great Trails". Originating in 1990 as a footpath sub committee of Helensburgh Community Council(HCC) and initially known as Helensburgh & District Access Forum (HADAF), the organisation became a registered charity in May 2001 (No. SC 031468) and in 2009 changed its name to Helensburgh & District Access Trust, becoming at that time a company limited by guarantee, company No.360787. After that the then forum changed again to become a SCIO - Scottish Incorporated Charitable Organisation and became a Trust. In March 2010 the Trust publicised the "Three Lochs Way", a long distance route first conceived of by its secretary, Alan Day, in 1991. To date the Trust has created and repaired 12 km of paths and walking routes in the immediate vicinity of Helensburgh and with the Three Lochs Way, is actively engaged on a further 50 km. To date it has raised £140,000 which has been invested in access work for the benefit of this and future generations. The Trust has completed work to deliver the Three Lochs Way Improvement Project 1 which comprised a range of improvements including a guidebook. Other improvements include better signage and the replacement of various bridges. Gates have been improved or removed so much of the route is accessible to most forms of transport except motorised vehicles. In 2013 the Trust undertook to improve a very boggy section of the route north of Helensburgh. This was our biggest challenge and we have continued further work on the route at this section, with a much better surface now in place. Works between Balloch and Helensburgh have been ongoing and now provide a delightful few hours walk over a surfaced path with superb views north over Loch Lomond and south over the Firth of Clyde. For some of this section the Three Lochs Way benefits from sharing the route with the John Muir Way. A small group of dedicated older individuals keep the work of fundraising, publicising, extending and repairing paths going and would welcome assistance from any users especially younger users anytime.

Following on from HADAT’s conversations with Scottish Water we were advised today that SW is planning to commence footpa...
14/10/2026

Following on from HADAT’s conversations with Scottish Water we were advised today that SW is planning to commence footpath improvement works at Helensburgh Reservoir, primarily around Reservoir 2. This will augment the current work being undertaken by the Council at the Skating Pond. On completion Helensburgh will have an outstanding recreational asset for walkers/wildlife watchers at the top of the town.

The works will involve widening sections of the existing footpath on the eastern and northern sides of Reservoir 1 to facilitate the safe movement of plant, equipment and materials required for works at Reservoir 2. The project is expected to be completed over a six-week period.

During this time, access to Reservoir 2 will be restricted. Appropriate safety measures, including fencing, signage and site controls, will be in place throughout the duration of the works to ensure public safety.

To allow the works to be completed ahead of the Christmas period, and before the onset of more challenging winter conditions, the contractor, MacKenzie Construction, is proposing to commence works on w/c 26th October.

As part of the initial enabling works, the eastern and northern sections of the Reservoir 1 footpath will be temporarily closed for approximately four days. Alternative routes and clear signage will be provided where possible.

Please see the plan showing the proposed access routes and working areas.
SW apologises for any inconvenience these works may cause and appreciate your patience and cooperation while these essential improvements are undertaken.

Helensburgh Community Council
Helensburgh and West Dunbartonshire Ramblers
Helensburgh HEART
Plastic Free Helensburgh - Community
Helensburgh Hermitage Park

Gorse alongside many of our paths is in bloom again and looks beautiful but it comes at the cost of keeping it in check....
12/10/2026

Gorse alongside many of our paths is in bloom again and looks beautiful but it comes at the cost of keeping it in check. You can see stumps cut well back in July now starting to regrow in just three months and get ready to narrow our routes again - so that’s one of the tasks we need volunteers for. Please help if you can.

Helensburgh HEART
Helensburgh and West Dunbartonshire Ramblers
Helensburgh Community Council

🌿 Fancy helping to look after our local paths? We’re looking for more volunteers!Our HADAT volunteers were back at Ardmo...
20/09/2026

🌿 Fancy helping to look after our local paths? We’re looking for more volunteers!

Our HADAT volunteers were back at Ardmore Point this week, clearing gorse well back from the path — and these before-and-after photos show the difference.

This isn’t just a temporary tidy-up. By cutting the gorse properly back, this section should now stay open for a good couple of years before it needs our attention again. It means a wider, much more pleasant path where walkers can comfortably walk side-by-side, dogs have a bit more room, and nobody has to squeeze past prickly gorse.

And the photos only show one part of what we managed to clear during the session.

It’s simple, practical work, but it makes a real and lasting difference to paths that are used every day by the local community.

If you’re interested in joining us on a future volunteer day, please email me directly at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) and I’ll add you to the volunteer list. No experience is needed — just some enthusiasm and a willingness to get stuck in!

A huge thank you again to everyone who came along and braved the showers!

Many of our paths like the one round Ardmore Point will take you to good places for birdwatching.
24/08/2026

Many of our paths like the one round Ardmore Point will take you to good places for birdwatching.

A great first HADAT volunteer day at Ardmore Point yesterday!Our new volunteer group spent a couple of hours cutting bac...
21/08/2026

A great first HADAT volunteer day at Ardmore Point yesterday!

Our new volunteer group spent a couple of hours cutting back overgrown gorse and rose along the path, and made a really noticeable difference in just a few hours. These before-and-after photos only show a small part of the work that was done, but you can clearly see the huge improvement.

There’s still plenty more to tackle, so we’ll be back at Ardmore Point over the coming months to keep building on it.

A big thank you to everyone who came along and gave their time and energy — and to the sunshine for turning up too! ☀️

If you’d be interested in joining a future HADAT volunteer day, we’d be delighted to hear from you.

Could this be the job for you? HADAT work closely with the Friends delivering environmental projects and paths in and ar...
07/08/2026

Could this be the job for you? HADAT work closely with the Friends delivering environmental projects and paths in and around this area.

🌿 Passionate about conservation? Looking for a role where you can make a real difference? 🌿

Friends of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs is seeking an enthusiastic and organised Project Support Officer to join our team and help support the protection and promotion of one of Scotland's most spectacular landscapes.

📍 Location: Balloch (Flexible Working)
⏰ Hours: 20 hours per week
💷 Salary: £13,374 per annum (£24,743 pro rata)
📅 Contract: 24-month fixed term, with potential for extension
🚗 Full UK driving licence required
🎁 Company pension and mileage allowance provided
- Closing Date: 21st of August

We're looking for someone who is self-motivated, adaptable, an excellent communicator, and passionate about helping communities and the environment thrive. If you'd like to play a part in protecting and enhancing Loch Lomond & The Trossachs for future generations, we'd love to hear from you.

👉 Apply now by emailing [email protected]

💚 Please like, share and tag anyone who might be interested in joining our team.

Our trustees were recently joined by 12 volunteers from the Glasgow office of J.P. Morgan. The target of the work was th...
23/07/2026

Our trustees were recently joined by 12 volunteers from the Glasgow office of J.P. Morgan. The target of the work was the invasive Himalayan Balsam which is colonising substantial areas of Ardmore Point woodland and is a threat to the area’s ecology. We cut back gorse which overgrows the path and cleaned up the Sealochs Trail information panel at the car park. We’re very grateful to Farm Shop, Garden Nursery and Tearoom for providing our thirsty volunteers with welcome food and refreshment.

Destination Helensburgh

Do you use local paths, trails or access routes around Helensburgh and the wider area?HADAT is looking to build a regula...
02/07/2026

Do you use local paths, trails or access routes around Helensburgh and the wider area?

HADAT is looking to build a regular volunteer team to help with practical path maintenance and access work — things like cutting back vegetation, clearing drains and minor repairs.

No special skills needed, just a reasonable level of fitness and a willingness to get stuck in.

The aim is to get a monthly volunteering day going and build a team of people who care about looking after the routes we all use.

If you’d like to hear more or join the mailing list for future volunteer days, get in touch:

📧 [email protected]

Please feel free to share.

27/06/2026

Helensburgh & District Access Trust is offering you the chance to win big prizes and help raise much needed funds.

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Helensburgh
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