Before (or after) a nice lunch or beverage at the Oak Tree Inn in Balmaha, you can take a hike up Conic Hill for spectacular views over Loch Lomond. Access to the path begins from the back of the main Balmaha car park, and the route up is well defined and easy to follow. It can be steep and there are quite a few steps to negotiate, but it is not a difficult walk.
It’s a small hill with great views over the loch and surrounding mountains. You don’t even have to walk to the top to get the great views. The photo below was taken before we even reached the summit. We’d go so far as to say that in our opinion the best photo opportunity is before you get to the top, once you have climbed all the steps and then the route flattens out for a short stretch before climbing once again. Lots of people stop here either for a snack/lunch or for photographs. To get to this point took us around 40 minutes at a relaxed pace.
For anyone who is doing the West Highland Way, you will take in Conic Hill as part of this classic walk.
When we do this hike, we retrace our steps on the way down back to the car park in Balmaha, but if you wish you can make a circuit by following the route described on the Walk Highlands website. If you are going to the summit and then retracing your steps, allow around 2-3 hours return from Balmaha, depending on your pace and what stops you make.
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