Longer and more strenuous than the usual ascent from Craigmead, this is the finest route up West Lomond. The route leads past the fascinating rock formations at the Bunnet Stane.
Bog Factor
Hill paths throughout, faint in places on the descent.
Parking layby for the Bunnet Stane at NO 184 081.
None to start; nearest bus stop Gateside, just over 1km away.
NO184081
There is a parking layby at the start of the grassy track up to the Bunnet Stane at NO184081, next to the Scottish Water building. If full there is another car park 1.75km further SW along the lane (cutting short the return route). Begin up the grassy track between fields, with grand views of West Lomond looming ahead. Soon the unmistakeable outline of the Bunnet Stane becomes visible - a giant mushroom-like rock seen just below the rough slopes of the hill to the right. Continue along the track, dog-legging right and then left at one point, before finally passing through a gate and heading up through the grassy field to the Bunnet Stane and its attendant rocks.
In the left side of the Bunnet Stane's outcrop is the Maiden's Bower - a small room carved into the rock. Local legend has it that a young maiden once fell in love with a young man from a rival family. They regularly met right here, but one day her father's men ambushed her lover as he headed up to their tryst. The maiden then went into mourning and lived the rest of her life in this tiny room. Around the other side of the outcrop is the Bunnet Stane itself - an elevated table of rock, around 3 - 5 metres across, sitting upon a slender pedestal.
From the Bunnet Stane head up to the top left (SE) corner of the field. From here follow a path which heads directly uphill, until it meets with an older path coming diagonally up from the right. Turn left up this path, which continues to climb diagonally across the slope to the left, eventually crossing a stile. The path then leads up and around the side of a wide grassy corrie. There are superb views looking back over the Bunnet Stane. Above the steep section the path narrows and continues across a grassier plateau.
Eventually the path leads up to the main path coming up West Lomond from Craigmead. Turn sharp right along this much clearer path. Soon after the path splits with a steeper route heading directly for the summit. Continue on the main track to the right as this gives a gentler ascent with better views and the direct path is causing erosion.
The track curves around the west side of the hill with expansive views over Loch Leven below and to the Ochils beyond. Eventually the main path starts to climb steeply, curving left to eventually head directly to the summit. The large cairn and trig point are an excellent viewpoint on a clear day with Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh clearly visible as well as the Bass Rock to the south east.
To begin the descent, follow a faint grassy path SW towards Loch Leven. Soon the path begins to descend very steeply down a grassy slope (care needed), aiming down to reach a stile over a drystone wall. Cross this and continue down to the broken escarpment of the Devil's Burdens. The path is faint here - descend to a clearer path that runs to the left below this escarpment. Follow this, but look out for a faint path heading off right across the heather. This crosses a boggy patch but eventually meets the made path running from the Harper Lees reservoir to Glen Vale.
Turn right down this path, following it as it curves right to descend the south side of Glen Vale, becoming a track. Note the rocky outcrop - riddled with small caves - across the other side of the glen, known as John Knox's Pulpit. Continue on the track until a made path forks off to the right.
This descends into and crosses to the other side of Glen Vale, passing through a gate and continuing the descent. Eventually it crosses a footbridge and passes through a small patch of woodland to reach a tarmac lane. Turn right along this lane to return to the start - with great views of West Lomond on your right.
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