Conic Hill Circuit

Описание: The Conic Hill circuit starts in the car park at Balmaha.
It adds a bit of interest to the alternative of a straight walk up Conic Hill which, although not that high, affords good views over Loch Lomond and to the mountains to the west beyond. Best done in an anticlockwise direction which gets the more tedious road section over first.
Once out of the car park continue walk along the road in an easterly direction for about one and three quarter miles. Once out of the village conic hill comes into view on the left. On the right there are views over to Loch Lomond. There is a house to the left with its own mini golf course!
At the village of Milton of Buchanan we turn off to the minor road just before the phone box. This soon becomes a track through trees which at this time are bare.
We turn left at the sign for Balmaha via Conic Hill which joins the main Western Highland Way route. We are now heading back in the direction of Conic Hill which comes more in to view.
It’s a lot warmer than expected, so a bit of sunscreen added and removal of a few layers.
There are now some good views to Loch Lomond.
A little narrower track through the trees and then out into the open.
There is a bridge over a small stream where people sometimes cool off in summer.
Another slight downhill section takes us to a bridge over a bigger stream and a steeper incline and the path continues to rise a bit more steeply.
The path is well maintained and continues up to the summit. What looked like stretches of snow on the path from a distance are bags of rubble or small stones to help maintain the path. Thes are usually dropped off by helicopter.
As we get nearer the summit we get better views over the loch.
The final ascent, now part of the main route up from the car park has been significantly upgraded for the rather eroded and slippery state it was in a few years ago.
Now at the summit there are good views all round, although a little hazy and very bright with the late afternoon sun.
I now leave the summit and head down the main path, which is very well maintained and a little like descending stairs in parts.

The route: 7 miles; elevation gain: 1559 ft (475m); summit 1171 ft (357m)