Conic Hill is a sharp little summit rising above Balmaha. Right on the Highland Boundary Fault, this short hillwalk offers truly fantastic views over Loch Lomond and its many islands.
Good path on the ascent, with steps. The detour from the West Highland Way up to the summit involves a short rocky scramble.
Bus (309) from Balloch.
Balmaha car park.
The walk begins from the huge car park in the centre of Balmaha, which also has an information centre. The path leaves from the very back of the car park close to an information board. It immediately divides at a t-junction; turn right here along the track, and at the next junction turn left onto a path; this section of the walk is marked by the Thistle symbols of the West Highland Way.
The well-made path now climbs up through the trees before leaving the forest via a small gate, with Conic Hill in view ahead. The path climbs steeply with many steps, aiming for the gap between Conic Hill and its nearer neighbour.
Stay on the main path as it curves round between the two hills. Once you reach the col, a short boggy detour to the left reveals the first classic view of the many islands in Loch Lomond. Conic Hill is on the exact line of the Highland Boundary Fault; the string of islands across Loch Lomond and the ridge of Conic Hill are all on the fault line.
Return to the main West Highland Way path; it now swings to climb across the northern flank of Conic Hill.
Ignore an eroded path off up the ridge after 250m or so - it's better to stay on the West Highland Way path along the flank of the hill until a much clearer path forks right and heads steeply up to the ridge. By this point the views of Loch Lomond and the hills on the far side are superb.
From the ridge, the highest point is to the left, reached by a path that keeps on the left side (een baggers looking to reach the true highest point will need to detour further along the ridge to a less dramatic summit). Back where you met the ridge, it's worth also heading along the boggy ridgeline to the right to a slightly lower summit with the best views. The mountains clustered around the upper end of Loch Lomond include the Arrochar Alps and Ben Lomond in a quite sensational view.
The simplest return route is retrace your steps - no hardship with such superb views ahead. A longer alternative - making a circuit - instead follows the West Highland Way to the right, passing round the northern side of the hill before descending to a footbridge over the Burn of Mar. This route continues along the Way, crossing a second footbridge before passing through an area which has been felled and replanted, and eventually reaching a signed junction of forestry tracks. A right turn here leads down a track which becomes Crietyhall Road and descends to Milton of Buchanan, a road walk of just over 2km east of Drymen. If intending to follow this circuit, it is perhaps better to reverse the whole route in order to have the Conic Hill views revealed suddenly and enjoyed on the descent.
Before leaving Balmaha, be sure to visit the statue of Tom Weir - the famous outdoorsmen, writer and broadcaster who helped popularise Scotland's great outdoors for so many people.
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