West Highland Way 2: Drymen to Rowardennan

Summary

From Drymen the West Highland Way climbs through a section of forestry before crossing moorland to reach Conic Hill. The dazzlingly beautiful views from here of Loch Lomond and its islands rank among the great moments of any journey along the Way. After the village of Balmaha, the route stays close to Loch Lomond on an undulating but very scenic stretch that leads on to Rowardennan. No wild camping allowed on this section Mar - Oct; there is a basic campsite at Sallochy. Dogs are not allowed in the two enclosed fields on the approach to Conic Hill during the lambing season, even on a lead. The season normally lasts for around three weeks at the end of April and early May. Temporary signage will be in place.

Grade

Bog Factor

4.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Forest tracks and then a hillpath over Conic Hill, followed by undulating and occasionally rough going closer to Loch Lomond.

Getting there

Start

Drymen.

Public Transport

Drymen is served by bus; Rowardennan has only a ferry service in the summer months.

Start Grid Ref

NS482888

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Services

Drymen has a hotel and an inn as well as B&B accommodation. It also has cafes and a shop for supplies. Part way through the stage there is an inn at Balmaha, as well as a bunkhouse and a guest house. The route then passes campsites at Cashel and Sallochy. At the end of the stage, Rowardennan has a hotel, hostel and bunkhouse accommodation.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 23.25km / 14.5 miles
Time: 6 - 7 hours
Ascent: 530m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (6)

Stage 1

If starting from Drymen, rejoin the West Highland Way by heading along Stirling Road, keeping left on the lane past the Old School House before the road meets the main A811. At the end of the lane the Way is picked up as a footpath that runs between two beech hedgerows, running parallel to the A811 and eventually continuing along the grass verge until a signpost indicates where to turn left through a gate onto a grassy track. This becomes a footpath, passing through another gate and alongside woodland before climbing up to meet a forest track. Turn left here and follow the track until it meets a minor road; dog-leg left then right at this point to continue into Garadhban Forest.

Stage 2

Follow this track and the markers as the route continues through the forest. At one point a cross-tracks gives the option to turn left and descend to Milton of Buchanan - strictly a bad weather option as the next section of the route over Conic Hill is not to be missed. The standard route passes through a gate and an area that has recently been felled and replanted, and after a second gate emerges as a footpath across the open moor. The lower end of Loch Lomond is in view, but does not prepare for the glories to come. Cross a footbridge over a burn, and then, after a stile, the path descends to cross a second bridge over the Burn of Mar.

Stage 3

The Way now climbs - a steady slog - around the north end of the Conic Hill ridge. As it rounds the corner and curves southwest a glorious view is revealed of much of Loch Lomond. Conic Hill is on the faultline that divides the Highlands from the Lowlands, and the immediate change in landscape is obvious. Further on a branch path on the left offers a detour (recommended) to the 358m central summit of Conic Hill, from where the islands of Loch Lomond can be seen strung out in a straight line along the fault. Return to the path to begin the descent.

Stage 4

The route eventually swings left and descends steeply, with some flights of steps, before heading through a gate into the forest. Lower down turn right at a t-junction, and then left to head out into a massive car park, with an information centre and toilets on the left at the far end. This is the village of Balmaha which offers a choice of accommodation and an alternative break of stage. If you have time to spend here, the boat trip to the lovely island of Inchcailloch is recommended. Otherwise, cross the main road and take the roadside path on the far side. Turn left at the junction to follow the road beyond Passfoot B&B.

Stage 5

Look out for stone steps leading off to the right. Follow these and stay on the main path which climbs to a viewpoint over Loch Lomond and then zig zags down through the trees to turn right on the shoreline path. After passing around Arrochymore Point go through the car park (toilets) and cross the footbridge to continue along the beach before picking up the road for a short distance to Milarrochy. The route crosses the road onto a path, where it reaches the road again cross and head onto the path next to the large sign for Ben Lomond National Memorial Park. After crossing an entrance track the route climbs steps through the trees before emerging at the road once more near Cashel.

Stage 6

Cross the road to pick up the path which passes close to the Forest & Land Scotland campsite before crossing a bridge and bearing left along the path. When it reaches the road again cross to follow the shoreline path next to the road until Anchorage Cottage after which the route follows the road for a short distance before heading left through the trees. The pleasant path undulates until it reaches the waterside and the car park at Sallochy Bay, where there is a basic campsite. Pass the jetty on the left belonging to the field study centre on the right, and keep left at the path junction.

Stage 7

Watch out for a marker indicating a right turn. This climbs steeply through the oak trees before emerging in a more open area where there are great views of Ben Lomond to the right and the peaks of the Arrochar Alps in the distance. Keep following the path which includes a couple of boardwalk sections to avoid the muddiest parts. Pass a small barn on the right and bear right along a short section of shoreline. This can be wet after very heavy rainfall. The path passes in front of an old mill, now a pretty cottage and passes over a small bridge to continue through the woodland with a swampy area between the path and the lochside.

Stage 8

Another bridge crosses a larger stream before the path climbs to an open area with good views over the Loch and to the mountains ahead. Keep following the marked path, keeping to the left where the route nears the road and a track joins from the right. After descending some steps the path nears the water's edge again and then climbs out onto a tree-covered peninsula. Keep left on the wide track ignoring a route to the right. Although the path curves around to the right, it is possible to walk out to the end point where there are good views up the Loch. The path now undulates through an area of pine trees with glimpses of the water in places. Eventually the path descends to the road where you turn left to follow the pavement alongside a chalet park. Just before the Rowardennan Hotel cross the road to follow a grassy path away from the road which passes a phone box and continues until it reaches the information centre at the car park (toilets and information centre) at Rowardennan.

Next stage: Rowardennan to Inverarnan

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