Distance: 11km (only 4km if go direct from car park)
Ascent : 449m Time taken: 3.5 hrs
Rating: 4 stars
With winds forecast to be brutal on the high tops, we decided on this great low level walk, one we know quite well but hadn’t enjoyed for some time.
The car park at Balmaha was very quiet on a November morning but before setting out, we popped into the cosy café across the road, part of the attractive Oak Tree Inn development and had a cuppa (and a roll and bacon for Chris) before setting out.
We decided to do the whole loop today rather than just go up and down Conic Hill (which is steep but short) so off we set in an anti clockwise direction, making for Milton of Buchanan first along the main road (with a pavement.) If only doing Conic Hill , it’s well signposted from the car park and the path is very obvious and well built.
I think this is the best way to do the loop as it gets the relatively less interesting section under our belts, building up to the great loch and mountain views ahead.
That said, today, with less foliage on the trees, we quickly had some tantalising glimpses of the southern end of Loch Lomond and it was looking so lovely.We were seeing the Lowland end of the loch; the Highland Line , where the mountains begin, is dramatically obvious here, beginning as far south as Arran.
Zoomed to Arran…just visible under the cloud…
We soon passed the lovely old church at Milton of Buchanan…
Just beyond this, I spotted an honesty cake box, always worth a look. Not disappointed either as it had Victoria Sponges, Cupcakes and Mini Meringues.Bought a small bag of the latter to enjoy at the summit. Chris always goes for savoury but I’ve got a very sweet tooth.
After 2km or so we turned off the main road, just by a row of houses and followed a farm track until it joined the West Highland Way.
I didn’t remember this section being so long or so uphill! However, it really was a beautifully bright, if breezy day and our objective – Conic Hill – was looking very shapely with nice light on it too.
Another half hour or so of walking on a good wide track and we finally reached the WHW itself. This took us through some pleasant woodland with views once more towards Loch Lomond.The air was so clear that Arran’s shapely mountain range was visible too.
Arran always draws my eye and today, the Sleeping Warrior was sharply outlined. The island holds so many memories.My own parents honeymooned in Brodick.We spent every June on Arran until I was 5 yrs old.My own boys enjoyed holidays in Brodick from when they were toddlers, all the way up to being young men who loved playing Arran’s many golf courses with one or two outings up Goat Fell on occasion too.My oldest grandson recently had his first trip over.The Circle of Life…
The path narrowed as we made our way across the open moorland in autumn colours which were absolutely stunning.
I knew we would be losing a bit of height soon and sure enough, the path meandered down to the river. Ahead, we now faced the final pull up to Conic Hill itself but it was at a pleasant angle and in no time, we found ourselves directly below the summit.Here we joined the first class paved path for the last few metres to the top.
Views now opened up to Ben Lomond and the Luss hills…
DSC_0392.jpg by Anne C, on Flickr
The Cobbler and Beinn Narnain zoomed…
The last time we were here, they were working on this section and it was very eroded and actually, a bit unpleasant.What a change.It really has been beautifully built.
However, what we hadn’t reckoned this low down was the wind! Wow – if it was bad here at the 300m contour mark, what on earth must it be like on the big summits? It would surely have blown anyone over at 900m.
As we headed up , quite a few people were descending this last short section and all were clearly struggling for balance.Up we went on the steep stone staircase, quite unnerving because of the severity of the gusts. On the top, the gale hit us full on and we could hardly stand! Holding on to each other, I managed – just – to quickly take a few photos, Chris steadying me.Of course, a photo can rarely capture the wind on a hill but my hat, which is a tight fit, was just about being blown off .
Gale or not, the view was gorgeous! The Luss hills across the loch and the myriad islands were just magical.
But my gaze kept returning to Goat Fell and the Sleeping Warrior.I had an Uncle years ago who always insisted he could never make out the Warrior outline much to the annoyance of my father.They had endless arguments about it . The Warrior lies at the very right hand of the mountain range.There’s the helmet, the face in profile, then the rise of his chest as if his hands are resting there; then the body tapers all the way down to the feet.
I have to say, even from this distance, it seems very obvious to me!
To the north, Ben Lomond looked terrific but I was mighty glad not to be up there today Chris reckoned someone was bound to be on the top!
We half staggered to the more sheltered side of the hill,finding a flattish boulder to sit on.A nice, hot coffee was very welcome(I’ve given up on tea as even using a tea bag with hot water from a flask, it just never tastes very good somehow) and washed down a couple of mini meringues.
But really, what a stunning spot, with fine views east towards the Campsies too and the lowlands.
Luss village was tucked in below Beinn Dubh, another favourite smaller hill as it’s relatively quick to drive to from Glasgow.I could also see our next destination after the walk – Duck Bay Marina for a late lunch!
Nobody was staying at the summit as it really was almost impossible to stay upright.Down we headed after 15 mins or so, an uncomfortable though thankfully brief, descent with the gusts of wind quite unbelievable for such a relatively low height.I was very glad of my poles for balance.
Once down on the main path, things calmed down considerably and we were able to enjoy the loch views as they unfolded before us again.
The lovely Luss hills…
And a last look at Ben Lomond…
The Arrochar Alps lighting up in the sunshine…
Despite it being a Monday, the hill was now busy with people ascending from the car park at Balmaha.I was really surprised, thinking we would have Conic Hill to ourselves. Students who’d finished Uni for the term? Everybody seemed quite young! A few Antipodean voices.The path has been superbly built but it’s still a steep descent (and a short but stiff slog of an ascent.)
A last look over the islands to the Sleeping Warrior…
Autumn colours looking very rich…
The new path really is excellent…
Very glad we were now going down with all the mileage and ascent now under our belts.Then through a gate and into the forest, an attractive bit of woodland too, before following the winding trail back to the much busier car park.
Reaching the woodland , 10mins near the car park…
A final look round at Conic Hill…
A 25 min drive later and we were at Duck Bay where I’d booked a window table with beautiful views over the loch.Very tasty the meal was too, Chicken Caeasar Salad for me and a Korean BBQ Chicken for Chris with what must be one of the loveliest views of any café restaurant.The loch’s choppy blue waters literally lap against the outdoor terrace. The whole place was heavily decorated for Xmas with about 8 Xmas trees with flashing lights in the lobby alone! They don’t do things by half at Duck Bay in the decoration stakes.
Conic Hill looked very handsome across Loch Lomond, a fine outline despite the bigger and grander mountains in the vicinity.It was certainly a joy to make its acquaintance again as it gives views out of all proportion to its very modest height.
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