Conic Hill – Loch Lomond's Islands, Then Lunch in Balmaha
About 2.7 miles on foot.
Conic Hill rises straight out of Balmaha on the east shore of Loch Lomond, and from the top the whole loch is laid out below you, its islands lined up across the water along the Highland Boundary Fault.
It's a short, steep climb on a good stone path that a fit adult does in a morning, and the Oak Tree Inn is waiting at the bottom for lunch. It suits walkers who want a real hill and a big view without a long day.
- Time
- Three to four hours there and back, with time at the top.
- The path
- A steep stone-pitched hill path, about 340 metres of climb to the 361-metre summit; the path's own top is the first top, a little lower.
- Where to start
- Stirling Council's car park at Balmaha, where the path starts and the 309 stops.
- When to go
- The hill is open ground at all times; the Oak Tree Inn opens every day from 8am.
- Dogs
- On a lead all the way: sheep graze the hill. From mid-April to the end of May dogs aren't allowed, even on a lead, in the two enclosed fields on the east side, the way up from Drymen; the path from Balmaha doesn't cross them.
- Children
- A steep hour's climb; the view opens a third of the way up, so short legs can turn back there.
- Before you set out
- The path has been shut after winter storms: ask at the visitor centre or read the notices on westhighlandway.org.
The walk
Park in Balmaha's big pay-and-display car park beside the National Park's visitor centre, where the path starts: it takes cash or RingGo, has toilets, and fills early on sunny weekends. Conic Hill is 361 metres high, and the stone-pitched path climbs about 340 metres of it, through the woods and then steeply up the open hill; give yourself about an hour up and 45 minutes down. The view opens a third of the way up, so anyone who's had enough can turn back there.
The path reaches the first top, where most people stop, and the true summit is a few minutes further along the ridge. From either, the islands of Loch Lomond run across the water in a line along the Highland Boundary Fault, with Ben Lomond to the north-west. Sheep graze the hill, so keep a dog on a lead.
The top is exposed: in low cloud, high wind or ice, stop where the view opens and come down. Come back down the same path to the car park.
If it rains
In low cloud, rain or high wind, go only as far as the first open ground where the view starts, about a third of the way up, and come down to an early lunch at the Oak Tree Inn.
Worth a detour
- Milarrochy Bay
Milarrochy Bay is a mile or so past Balmaha, a quiet curve of the shore with toilets and a long view down the loch. Going there adds about 5 minutes of driving.
Afterwards
The Oak Tree Inn
Lunch
From the car park the Oak Tree Inn is two minutes' walk away on the village road, the walkers' pub at the foot of the path. It opens every day from 8am and shuts at 10pm, and it's wise to book a table for about 12.30, above all at a weekend. Children are welcome and step-free access is listed. Reviews say dogs are allowed in the bar and conservatory, but not the restaurant. If it's full, St Mocha, also in Balmaha, is the other place to try.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
The nearest of ours is Red Squirrel Cottage, 15 miles away. Sleeps 6.
Then Seal Cabin, 15 miles away. Sleeps 2.
Book a table at the Oak Tree Inn
Book a table at the Oak Tree Inn in Balmaha for about 12.30, above all at a weekend; it opens every day from 8am.
Where to eat
St Mocha, Balmaha, a café in Balmaha.
For further reading, before you go.