Walk from Drymen to Balmaha
Conic Hill on the West Highland Way
On a Saturday in April 2023, I set off on a lovely spring morning on a favourite walk from Drymen to Balmaha over Conic Hill. This route is on the West Highland Way, and I hope this blog will be helpful for anyone planning the 96-mile walk from Glasgow to Fort William, do also read our Conic Hill guide, part of a series of West Highland Way articles.
Conic Hill Path Renewal
Conic Hill had been closed until the end of March for path repairs, and whilst it is now open, there are still works taking place with a slight (but muddy) diversion in place. More about that later. Finally, if you are walking the proceeding section, read our Milngavie to Drymen guide.
West Highland Way Guides
If you are not walking all of the West Highland Way but looking for a superb but shorter walk, I recommend this Drymen to Balmaha hike, returning to Drymen as I did via a scheduled bus. Allow around 3 hours for this hike, and it is just under 13km.
Drymen Square
Welcome to Drymen
Regular readers of this blog will know I live in Drymen and that we are proud of this village which has some superb pubs, an excellent bakery, a Spar shop and most recently, a beer shop! It's typically the first night stop on the West Highland Way and a chance for a good night ahead of the beginning of the more challenging miles of the route as it heads into the Scottish Highlands.
I started my walk from Drymen Village Square, the heart of the village with its pretty green. With the Spar shop on your right and Drymen Bakery head up Stirling Road, passing the public car park on the right. Pick up the West Highland Way path at the end of the road, which runs alongside the A811.
Glenelva B&B, Drymen
West Highland Way Honesty Box
Glenelva B&B has an honesty box with water and chocolate on your left (although you will have most likely stocked up in Drymen).
A gate and path take you away from the main road. I get good feedback from readers that they like pictures of the pathways so they can see the terrain and incline ahead of walking them, so you'll find plenty in this guide.
Pathway out of Drymen on the West Highland Way
Garadhban Forest, Drymen
Garadhban Forest
Keep following the path which heads into the forest. When you reach the barrier, turn left and immediately right, continuing into Garadhban Forest.
Garadhban Forest, Drymen
Options for Balmaha Walk
There is a car park on your left, which is popular with dog walkers. The forest soon opens up, with the first views of Loch Lomond in the distance. These wide, surfaced forestry roads are good for walking and cycling on, although I wouldn't recommend cycling all of this route over Conic (although some do).
Keep following the West Highland Way markers and signposts until you reach the barrier pictured below. There, walkers can approach Balmaha over Conic (as we are) or turn left and head down to the road for an easier and shorter route. I've met many West Highland Way walkers who have set off from Milngavie and are going to stop in Balmaha overnight and are, by this stage, exhausted, so they opt (understandably) for the easier option.
Conic Hill options
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View of Conic Hill from West Highland Way
Conic Hill
As you head on, Conic looms more prominent in the distance, and do be aware that you will enter areas where there are sheep and sometimes Highland Cattle, so please don't bring your dog. Sadly there have been some issues in recent times.
When you cross the bridge (pictured below), you will find the steepest climb of the route. However, when you reach the top, you will be rewarded with a magnificent view of Loch Lomond and its islands.
West Highland Way Bridge
Conic Hill Path Conditions
Immediately you will notice a much larger number of people, they have all climbed from the Balmaha side, and this section is often jam-packed with people.
The photographs show the climb down and the erosion and widening of the path caused by the sheer volume of walkers, and this will be addressed with the culmination of the National Park's path renewal project later this year and into next year.
Conic Hill Diversion
As mentioned earlier, works are underway on a section of the path, resulting in a temporary diversion, do take care if you get a day as I did, which was preceded by a wet run of days, meaning that the ground was muddy and very slippery.
Conic Hill, Loch Lomond
Conic Hill Views
Once you've navigated the diversion, which has stunning views to enjoy, you can walk on the renewed sections of the path. The before and after are stark, and you can see the enormous difference this stone pathway will make for years to come.
Renewed Conic Hill pathway
Explore Balmaha
Heading down to the car park, you can see the results of recent tree removal, tackling larch disease. On arrival at the car park, you can do what I did and catch the return bus to Drymen, or you can head for a coffee at St Mocha or something to eat at the Oak Tree Inn. You can read more about the pretty village of Balmaha in our guide. If you're continuing along the West Highland Way, read our Balmaha to Rowardennan walking guide. Finally, if you're looking to camp, note there are restrictions; details and options are in our Camping in East Loch Lomond guide.
See Loch Lomond Book…
For more ideas of what to see and do on your next visit, purchase our book - 101 Things to Do in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs- here or from stockists throughout the National Park.
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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