There are different ways to shape a stay in Balmaha: walking up Conic Hill, taking the Millennium Forest Trail to the Craigie Fort viewpoint, or enjoying a picnic with a view of Balmaha Bay. Water bus services can also take visitors to Luss on the western shore of Loch Lomond. You can therefore plan your visit around a summit, a viewpoint, or a possible onward journey.

Trail destinations with clear differences

Conic Hill is part of a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is 361 metres high. The trail to the summit, completed between 2022 and 2025, runs for 1.4 kilometres from the Balmaha Visitor Centre to the summit. The two figures describe different things: 361 metres is the hill’s height, while 1.4 kilometres is the distance from the Visitor Centre to the summit.

The Millennium Forest Trail starts at the car park in the centre of Balmaha, next to the National Park Visitor Centre, and leads to Craigie Fort, a viewpoint overlooking Loch Lomond, its islands, and Ben Lomond. The starting point and viewpoint give your walk a clear sense of direction. The trail has a different destination from the path up Conic Hill: here, the focus is a viewpoint; there, it is the summit. The Conic Hill path starts at the Visitor Centre, while the Millennium Forest Trail starts at the car park in the village centre.

Finding your way between the village and the shore

The Pass of Balmaha is a narrow route between the hills at the northern end of the village. The Forest Trail starts in the village centre; the pass is at the northern end of the village. The West Highland Way continues north along the shore of Loch Lomond. Different landmarks help you compare them: the pass runs between hills, while the West Highland Way follows the shore north.

Picnics and local stories

Tom Weir's Rest is a picnic spot overlooking Balmaha Bay on the shore of Loch Lomond. Information boards at the Tom Weir Statue cover Tom’s life, the local area, and the surrounding natural environment. The statue marked its tenth anniversary in December 2024. The viewpoints differ: Craigie Fort looks out over Loch Lomond, its islands, and Ben Lomond; Tom Weir's Rest faces Balmaha Bay.

Continuing your journey and finding accommodation

Water bus services from Balmaha can take visitors to Luss on the western shore of Loch Lomond. As timetables can change, it is worth checking before you travel. If you plan to include the connection to Luss, check the latest timetable in advance.

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