ROUTE OVERVIEW

This is a wonderful seven mile (11km) section to the edge of the
Highlands. Wide tracks climb gently through Garadhban Forest, a large mature conifer plantation, to a clearing where the trail divides
(1­ to 1-1/4hrs). The easier route descends to Milton of Buchanan and follows the pavement beside a 'B' road for almost 2 miles (3km) to Balmaha (3/4­-1hr). The tiring yet spectacular high route (1-1/2-­2hrs) winds through more forest and then out onto open moorland before ascending to just below the top of Conic Hill (361m/1184ft). A short climb to one of the multiple summits gives an incredible vantage point over Loch Lomond and the surrounding countryside. The steep descent takes you swiftly down to the honey-pot hamlet of Balmaha on the loch shore; a hive of boating activity in summer.

Dogs are not allowed on the high route at any time of the year and it is closed to all walkers in the lambing season from mid-April to
mid-May when you must take the low route via Milton.

SERVICES ­ DRYMEN TO BALMAHA
Milton of Buchanan Map 9
Milton is a tiny hamlet on the quicker alternative route to Balmaha, along
the main road (B837) avoiding Conic Hill. Even if you wanted to continue
over Conic Hill it takes only 15 to 20 minutes to walk down to the two B&Bs
here. Mar Achlais (tel 01360-870300, website
www.delta.org/marachlais, 1D/1F) has en suite accommodation for £19 and will provide an evening meal for £11 given enough warning. Alternatively there's Dunleen (tel 01360-870274, 1T/1D, May-Oct) for £20. They will give you a lift into Drymen or Balmaha for your evening meal. Milton is on the bus route from Balmaha to Drymen, Balloch and Alexandria (see public transport map pp36-7).

On the western side of Garadhban Forest (pronounced 'garavan') due north of Milton of Buchanan there is a clearing deep within the conifer
trees where backpackers are permitted to camp. It is free to camp
here, all that is asked is that campers don't light fires and leave
the site by 10am.There are no facilities whatsoever and, unlike many of the
other wild sites, it has little to recommend it: there is no water in the
immediate vicinity, it can get quite muddy and because of the shade you
should be prepared for a midge attack. However, a little further along the
trail is a much more attractive clearing where you may prefer to camp.

BALMAHA
A small village underneath Conic Hill situated round an idyllic bay
providing a sheltered anchorage for pleasure boats. It's also a convenient
departure point for cruises round the string of islands stretching
across Loch Lomond to the western shore. MacFarlane and Son (tel
01360-870214, website www.balmahaboat yard.co.uk) at the boatyard run trips throughout the year from £3. Rowing boats can be hired for £8 an hour.

Sadly, what once must have been a pretty hamlet has been spoiled by modern tourist development. On a summer weekend the car park, bigger than the village itself, can swell to capacity as hordes drive to Loch Lomond's 'secluded' eastern shore to enjoy the 'freedom' of the countryside. This popularity does of course mean there is plenty of accommodation for the walker.

Services
The Loch Lomond Park Centre (tel 01360-870470, Easter-October) in the car park provides information on the area including an interesting
exhibition on the geology. There is a small gift shop with guide books and
maps.

Creative Crafts (Mon-Sun 9am-9pm in the main season), as well as
selling trinkets for the tourists, has a selection of emergency items for
walkers: snack food, socks, plasters, maps, film. Basic food items can be
bought at the Balmaha Shop, part of the Highland Way Hotel complex. If it's closed, ask at the bar.

There are buses to Drymen, Balloch and Alexandria (see public
transport map pp36-7).

Where to stay and eat
As you walk out of the car park into Balmaha, directly opposite is the
Oak Tree Inn (tel 01360-870357, website www.oaktreeinn.co.uk, 3T/4D) newly constructed from local timber and slate. They have a wide range of food from burgers and chips at £4.25 to freshwater perch at £9.50.
B&B costs £28 en suite and there are also two bunkhouse rooms which sleep 4 and cost £20 per person which includes breakfast. There are no cooking facilities.

The Highland Way Hotel (tel 01360-870270, 9S/4T/4D/1F) at the head of the bay won't win any prizes for sensitive architecture or friendly staff but it does have useful bunkhouse accommodation for £15 per person, including linen or £18 with breakfast. There are double and quadruple rooms available at this price and a handy drying room. There are no cooking facilities. The hotel does B&B from £23 and there's also a bar and café.

For something more homely one of the best places to stay is Passfoot
Cottage (tel 01360-870324, 1D/1T), a sweet traditional cottage
overlooking the bay and away from the tourist hubbub. B&B is £22.50 (£30
single).

Other places to consider are Bay Cottage (tel 01360-870346, 1S/1T/1F) which does B&B for £22, the pristine Inchlonaig (tel 01360-870326, 1T/1D) which costs £23, or Conic View Cottage (tel 01360-870297, website www.conicview.co.uk, 1S/ 1D), good value at £15 to £18.

Slightly further out of the village is Arrochoile (tel 01360-870231,
2T/1D). It's set in a large garden and costs £22 per person in an en suite
room. It's open from April to October.