Explore Balmaha, Loch Lomond

Balmaha is one of our favourite places in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs. Over recent years it has become increasingly popular. So much so that on sunny days the large car park quickly fills up. This guide will help you plan your trip, with helpful tips to ensure you have a successful visit.

Getting to Balmaha

During weekends and on warm days, you won’t be alone in coming up with the idea to visit Balmaha. Easy access from Glasgow makes it very popular with day-trippers. By road, the only entrance to the Eastern Shores of Loch Lomond is via Drymen. In recent years the police have closed this road once car parks have filled. The large public car park (now pay and display) in the village can quickly fill up, very helpfully the good people at the Oak Tree Inn have opened another car park close by to help alleviate the pressure.

The recommendation is to go early, ideally not by car if possible. If you are travelling by car, it is sensible to have a ‘Plan B’ if you can’t park. Don’t be tempted to park illegally, as you will very likely receive a parking ticket.

Water Transport

We recommend arriving by boat, if possible. Not just to not have to worry about the limited parking, but it is such a picturesque crossing from Balloch or Luss.

Cycle to Balmaha

A cycle path is partly in place between the villages of Drymen and Balmaha. The first section is already complete, signed from the Village Square in Drymen. The route will take you onto the B839 road a few miles before Balmaha for the final stretch. There are plans to complete this cycle path in the near future.

Bus Service to Balmaha

A bus service between Alexandria and Balmaha runs throughout the day; you could get a train to Balloch from Glasgow or Helensburgh and then use the bus service to get to Balmaha.

Walk to Balmaha

Finally, you can walk the 7 miles between Drymen and Balmaha, over Conic Hill, following the route of the West Highland Way. A beautiful walk, with climbs rewarded by stunning views across Loch Lomond and its islands. 

 

Loch Lomond National Park Information Centre 

The National Park’s flagship Visitor Centre is in the main Balmaha car park, manned by knowledgeable and friendly rangers, there are toilets.

Camping in East Loch Lomond

Be aware that there are camping restrictions in place along the eastern shores of Loch Lomond (and some other parts of the National Park). See our separate (and recently updated) guide to camping in East Loch Lomond.

The Oak Tree, Village Shop & St Mocha 

Across from the car park, you can see the Oak Tree Inn. The Fraser family built and opened their popular bar and restaurant in 1997 and have been the driving force behind improvements to Balmaha. Their contribution has been transformational, helping to improve the look and facilities available in the village.

As well as B&B accommodation, they have a village shop, thoughtfully stocked with food, drink and other items that you may need if you are camping, staying in self-catering facilities, walking the West Highland Way, or just visiting for the day. 

St Mocha Coffee shop & Ice Cream parlour serves coffee roasted on-site by Loch Lomond Coffee Co. Bags of coffee can be bought for home use, with a donation from each supporting red squirrel conservation Balmaha. Also made on site is their delicious Loch Lomond ice cream.  

Weir's Rest 

Close to the Oak Tree, on a picturesque spot by the lochside, is Weir's Rest. This area celebrates the life of Scottish climber and TV presenter Tom Weir. 

Tom's long-running TV series 'Weir's Way' introduced the wonders of the Scottish scenery to millions of Scots. The centrepiece of the site is a statue of Tom, which is much loved and photographed. You can read more about Weir's Rest in our separate guide (click the button below).

Do read the storyboards around the site to find out more about Tom Weir and Balmaha's marvellous nature and landscapes that he loved so much. 

Balmaha Boatyard

Between The Oak Tree Building and Weir’s Rest, there is a road that leads to Balmaha Boatyard. The MacFarlane family have been operating their service of beautiful wooden boats for generations, with an on-demand ferry service to Inchcailloch Island. Cruise Loch Lomond also run a water bus to Inchcailloch from Luss three times a day (From April to October).

Balmaha Bay

Just beyond Weir’s Rest enjoy the picture-postcard view of the village, taking in its natural bay, with boats and Inchcailloch Island in the distance. Here you can also get access to the water and it is a good place for children to feed the ducks. 

Photography Training Courses  

A quick plug now for our photography training courses. We run these throughout the seasons, with the outdoors and wonderful scenery acting as our classroom. We teach camera skills and settings and take the mystery out of camera modes and jargon over a 2.5-hour walking tour. They are appropriate for all levels.

Balmaha Millennium Forest Walk 

Go back to the car park, not that this is the end of our time in Balmaha, in fact far from it. You can take a walk through the mile-long Millennium Forest trail from the car park. An illustrated map and guide to the path is at the end of the car park. 

Look out for red squirrels along the trail. The numbers had been declining but are now slowly increasing. There are some information panels along the path to tell you more about them. 

On the route is Craigie Fort, where a short and steep climb leads to a good viewing point across the loch to the islands and Ben Lomond. 

Conic Hill

 I mentioned that Balmaha's car park gets very busy. On a weekend day (whatever the time of year), you will find many people walking up Conic Hill. Start in the car park and head through the forest. As it clears, you will have some steps to climb. After climbing them, pause to get your breath back. Turn around and take in the stunning view. The more you climb, the better it gets. 

At the top of Conic Hill, look down on Loch Lomond and its islands. You can also see the effect of the Highland Boundary Fault Line, which cuts across Scotland from Arran in the west to Stonehaven in the east. You're looking at where the lowlands become the Scottish Highlands. 

The views here are outstanding, and you'll understand why this is such a popular walk. Conic Hill is on the route of the West Highland Way and one of the most outstanding features of the long-distance trail. 

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Lochside Walk

A flatter and easier walk is the lochside path. Walk along the dead-end road that runs alongside the bay. At its end, you will see the old pier, with a pathway continuing along the banks of the loch, a section of the West Highland Way that eventually leads to Rowardennan.

There are many beaches to explore along the lochside path, together with excellent views across to nearby islands. 

Beautiful Balmaha

Here is a summary of my Top 10 things to see, do and discover in Balmaha. All are available unless stated below:

1.    Go on an Island Cruise (Cruise Loch Lomond) 

2.    Visit the Tom Weir Statue

3.    Enjoy Loch Lomond Ice Cream (St Mocha) 

4.    Take the ferry to Inchcailloch Island (Balmaha Boatyard) 

5.    Learn about the Highland Boundary Fault Line (National Park Visitor Centre)

6.    Eat good Scottish food at the Oak Tree Inn

7.    Take the lochside path and explore beaches 

8.    See the view from Craigie Fort

9.    Drink Loch Lomond Coffee (St Mocha)

10.  Climb Conic Hill 

and Finally…

Here is a video that we produced for The Oak Tree Inn, with some great aerial views of the village.

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Thanks for reading

Words and photography by Paul Saunders. Visit Paul’s Marketing and Photography websites for details of his services in Scotland.

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