After a brief forest interlude the route becomes dazzlingly beautiful with superb views on the crossing of Conic Hill. Beyond Balmaha the route sticks fairly closely to Loch Lomond on an undulating but very scenic path.
Summary
Forest tracks and then a hillpath over Conic Hill, followed by undulating and occasionally rough going closer to Loch Lomond.
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Drymen is served by bus, as is Rowardennan in the summer months.
Open Traveline Scotland
Public transport
1. From Drymen walk eastward to pick up the Way just past the Old School House, taking the path between the beech hedges, parallel to the B858. After a short stretch of roadside footpath turn left opposite Blarnavaid Farm, going over a stile to a fenced path between fields. In season the gorse (whin) bushes form an avenue ablaze with yellow. Within three quarters of a kilometre, bear left onto a broad track and follow it round to the left, glimpsing a view of Loch Lomond. After about 500 metres, enter Garadhban Forest, a mature plantation where there has been extensive felling in recent years.
Photo © Elliot Simpson; CCSA licence
2. Cross the road (turn left, then immediately right) and continue, generally westerly. Emerging from the wood, the main Way bears right to begin the ascent of Conic Hill. Follow the forest path uphill and over a high stile as the Forestry Commission land is left behind. The Way now crosses moorland, with bridges across a couple of burns. The stone path climbs steeply in places to the shoulder, then following a natural ledge below the summit at a height of about 300 metres. The summit can be reached by a short diversion from the start of the descent, where a clear path climbs sharply back left; the views over Loch Lomond, with the mountains of the Highlands towering beyond, is superb, whilst the line of the boundary fault can be seen running straight from this point across many of the islands in the loch.
3. Follow the track steeply down the hillside, turning left through the bealach (pass) between two humps. The path heads right, downhill through a gate and into the woods. The Way then turns right at a t-junction, emerging from the woods at Balmaha's main car park. Here there are toilets and a visitor centre; Balmaha also has accommodation and a shop. If time allows, consider taking a boat trip from Balmaha and doing the short walk around Inchcailloch island - a beautiful place.
4. Cross the car park and then the B837, turning right along a roadside path around the bay. Soon after it gives out, keep left at Passfoot Cottage, along the minor road. Inchcailloch Island is just offshore to the left. After about a hundred metres turn right at the waymarker up the path that climbs steeply to Craigie Fort. Keep right at the junction and climb to the top of this rocky outcrop, which gives another superb outlook over the islands, the Arrochar Alps and Ben Lomond. After the steep descent, enter the semi-natural oak woodlands so typical of Loch Lomondside. The path varies, sometimes well drained, sometimes undulating and rough, staying close to the lochside throughout this section. The Way hugs the shore around Arrochymore Point, passing Milarrochy Bay, a popular picnic and boat-launching site.
5. The path criss-crosses the road, and at Critreoch it leaves the road, heading uphill into the woods above StrathCashel Point. Cross the road at Cashell. The Way then runs parallel to the road, crossing and re-crossing it, broadly following the waterside. Follow the road from Anchorage Cottage to Sallochy. Here the path makes a hilly excursion, and the cliffs drop sheer into the loch. After a break in the trees and a car park/picnic area, pass the modern buildings of a Field Station. Turn right up a steep stony path into Ross Wood. From the crest of Ross Wood, with some good loch views, the path descends to the lochside at a shingle beach, where you may see a submerged crannog (iron-age lake dwelling) offshore.
6. Cross a couple of burns in the woodland, then go over a low hill. Finally an undulating woodland path leads to the road at Rowardennan. Past the hotel, it goes toward the campsite, youth hostel, bed and breakfast and a small Visitor Centre with toilets. In summer a ferry runs from here to Tarbet Pier across the loch. There is no accommodation beyond here until the hotel at Inversnaid.
West Highland Way route description is courtesy of Rucksack Readers.
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