Conic Hill walking, close to balmaha in Stirlingshire's eastern side of Loch Lomond

Conic Hill Walking.

A cracking little climb, which I done on a February day ( 2003 ), and is just 20 minutes from Glasgow can be found just outside Balmaha on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond, Stirlingshire. The hill is of course, Conic Hill, some 358 metres from sea level.

Follow the signs from Glasgow for Drymen then pick up the signs for Balmaha. About a mile before reaching Balmaha, you can see Conic Hill in all its glory from the roadside. Once in Balmaha, go to the back of the car park where you will pick up the path for the hill. First of all there is the mandatory forest walk until you reach open land. Then the path gets a little steeper but that is of little concern as you start to find yourself looking back to the developing panoramas below you.

Looking at Conic Hill
from Balmaha

A Misty Loch Lomond
from the top of Conic Hill

Loch Lomond and a few of its islands appear and eventually as you climb you can pick out Ben Lomond on your left hand side and further up, the Arrochar mountains become visible. Almost three quarters of the way there, the summit appears to still be a bit of a walk away, however this is not the case and certainly the desire to see the view from the top will get you there in no time. If you take an O.S. map with you, and on a clear day, it is possible to pinpoint Ben Lomond, Ben Vorlich, The Cobbler, Ben Ime and Ben Narnain.

For those of you out there, who are new to the noble art of hillwalking / mountain climbing, Conic Hill and Ben A'n, on my Trossachs page, are ideal starting points or learning curves for an enjoyable, slightly addictive hobby.

Relaxing on top of Conic hill

tonyconnery@hotmail.com

CONIC HILL
WALKING.

Conic Hill can be found just outside of Balmaha
on the eastern shore of Loch lomond.