Conic Hill

Conic Hill is a sharp, 361-metre hill above Balmaha on Loch Lomond's eastern shore. It is part of the West Highland Way, but the standard visit is a short out-and-back from the village rather than a full-day mountain outing. The numbers look modest, but the climb is steep enough to feel like a proper summit. Allow two to three hours for about 4 km and 350 metres of ascent. If you want a real hillwalk without giving up a whole day, this is one of the best choices in the park.

Start at the Balmaha car park and information centre, then follow the waymarked path through woodland. The route climbs on a long run of steep steps, passes through a gate onto open ground and reaches the col between Conic Hill and its neighbour. A short, rough detour to the left gives you the first classic view over Loch Lomond's islands. From the col, the main path climbs more steeply to the ridge and a short rocky summit section. The true high point is along the ridge to the left; a slightly lower point to the right has the more famous view.

The path upgrade completed in 2025 improved the 1.4-kilometre section between the visitor centre and the summit, but this is still a hill, not a stroll. Expect steep steps, wet or boggy patches around the ridge and loose rock near the top. It is not suitable for a stroller, and the final section deserves care when it is wet or icy. Most people return the way they came, although the West Highland Way allows a longer circuit if you want more walking.

The view is the reason to make the effort. Loch Lomond spreads below with its wooded islands arranged in a long line, with Ben Lomond to the north and the Arrochar Alps farther west. Turn south for lower hills, woodland and the Central Lowlands. That island chain is not random: it follows the line of the Highland Boundary Fault, where the character of the Highlands changes from the lower, more settled landscape around Balmaha. Conic Hill's rocks and the Gualan Fault on its northern side are part of the reason the hill is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

For a photo, stop at the col detour as well as the summit. From there, frame the island chain with a little of the ridge in the foreground so the fault-line shape reads clearly. At the top, the wider view is better when the lake and islands stay in the lower half of the frame rather than disappearing beneath a sky full of cloud.

Balmaha Visitor Centre sits at the foot of the hill and has toilets and a play area. The Oak Tree Inn is across the road if you want coffee or ice cream after the walk. Parking and the path can be busy on sunny weekends, so an early start makes the approach calmer and gives you a better chance of finding space. Bus 309 links Balmaha with Balloch. Keep dogs under control around livestock, and check seasonal restrictions if you are approaching from the West Highland Way's eastern side. There is no reliable water source on the hill itself, so plan your drink and food before leaving the village.