Conic Hill from Balmaha

Distance	Approximate Time	Height Gain	OS Map
3 kms	02:30 (hrs:mins)	350 metres	Explorer 347: Loch Lomond South

Description

Looking towards yachts moored at Balmaha with Conic Hill behind

This walk provides fabulous views over south Loch Lomond with its numerous islands and follows a section of the West Highland Way, Scotland's oldest long distance walking route. The route starts by the Visitor Centre in Balmaha, where you can park.

The route starts by the Visitor Centre in Balmaha, where you can park.

The ancient village of Balmaha lies at the meeting place between the Highlands and the Lowlands. The Highland Boundary Fault (a geologic fault that traverses Scotland from Arran and Helensburgh on the west coast to Stonehaven in the east. It separates two distinctly different physiographic regions: the Highlands from the Lowlands) passes just north of the village through Craigie Fort and Conic Hill, marking a change not only in the landscape, but also in the culture and the wildlife.

From the car park, pick up the path which heads through forestry (Balmaha Plantation) along a broad path. After a short climb the path turns left (north north east) and narrows as it heads towards open ground following the West Highland Way. The path then threads through the Bealach Ard (Gaelic for High Pass) and steepens as it climbs towards the summit of Conic Hill at 361 metres.

From the summit you can pick out many of Loch Lomond's interesting and historic islands including Inchcailloch (the Island of Nuns). Lying close to the shore at Balmaha, this is one of the most accessible of Loch Lomond's islands once recognised as being sacred this mysterious island has a long association with Christianity. In 771AD, the missionary, St Kentigema arrived from Ireland and settled on Inchcailloch. In the 12th century a church was built dedicated to her memory and for the proceeding five centuries people from the mainland rowed across both for worship and to bury their dead. Although the church was abandoned in 1670, the graveyard was used until 1947.

Today the island attracts around 20,000 visitors who walk the nature trails. To the north of Conic Hill is Scotland's most southerly Munro, Ben Lomond (974m) and further north, the Arrochar Alps of Ben Vorlich, (one of two fine mountains (the other being Stuc a' Chroin) which are conspicuous features of the Highland landscape as seen from the valley of the River Forth. They form two parallel ridges separated by a well-defined col. From the south, Ben Vorlich appears as a sharp pointed peak and Stuc a' Chroin has a flatter summit with a steep drop at its east end formed by the profile of its north-east buttress), Ben Ime, Ben Narnain, Beinn Vane and Ben Arthur loom over the narrower northern end of Loch Lomond.

The return trip may be varied by turning right just before the paved path. This now becomes a grassy track following the actual fault line down the ridge. About 200 ft lower down on this track, watch for an opportunity to cross over to the northern part of the ridge where a better defined grassy track leads eventually to a rather mucky path through deciduous woods and to the road. Turn left on the road and at the foot of the steep hill get off the road onto the protected path along the lochside into the village and the car park.

Once back in the village take advantage of all that Loch Lomond has to offer. From its 'bonnie banks', located within the boundaries of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park to Helensburghs elegant promenades and the shipping heritage of the Clyde celebrated throughout West Dunbartonshire, this is an area of dramatic contrasts.

To the north, the loch is narrow and deep, with the surrounding mountains rising dramatically from the shoreline. The little village of Ardlui is tucked beneath these peaks, where the River Falloch flows from its Highland source into the north of the loch. On the eastern side, a beautiful, sheltered stretch of the West Highland Way hugs the shore, passing a RSPB reserve amidst deciduous woodlands. Ferries and pleasure cruises operate throughout the season from the lochside communities of Tarbet, Balloch, Balmaha and Luss and are a perfect way to explore the area.

The sheltered harbour at Balmaha is the ideal centre for sailing and water-sports, while the championship golf course at Loch Lomond Golf Club regularly attracts household names to world-class golfing tournaments. A gentle stroll through the Balloch Castle Country Park or Queen Elizabeth Forest Park will lead you past charming lochside villages and sandy bays while for the more adventurous, the mountains to the north offer more strenuous walks and climbs.

Access Info

There are regular First Scotrail train services between Glasgow and Balloch and regular bus services from Balloch to Balmaha (McColl's Coaches Service 309). As detailed above, the walk starts at the Visitor Centre car park in Balmaha.

Additional Info

Conic Hill forms part of the Highland Boundary Fault - the geological divide which separates the Scottish Highlands from the Lowlands and the line of the fault can easily be discerned from the summit of Conic Hill with the line of islands leading across Loch Lomond. Some of this walking route follows a section of the West Highland Way.

Refreshments, food and shops can be found in Balmaha.