Page Type: | Mountain/Rock |
---|---|
Lat/Lon: | 56.09876°N / 4.51976°W |
County: | Balmaha |
Activities: | Hiking |
Season: | Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter |
Elevation: | 1184 ft / 361 m |
On the south eastern shores of Loch Lomond and running directly along the southern side of the Highland Boundary Fault, sits the iconic and popular little peak, Conic Hill. Conic Hill offers some fantastic views of Loch Lomond and its surrounding peaks for a hill of such small magnitude. The peaks to the north west in Luss & Arrochar and the solitary peak of Ben Lomond to the north are all clearly visible.
The peak runs parallel to the West Highland Way, which is roughly twenty miles into this long distance route, and a two minute detour for walkers of this route will land them on Conic's summit. There are undoubtedly hundreds of people who have dropped there heavy packs and wandered up to its top.
The most popular route of ascent starts at the rear of the large car park in Balmaha. The West Highland Way is followed in reverse, along good forestry track and then a good path all the way to the summit. There are some steep sections, although in the main nothing that will cause to much exertion. In all this a good little peak for all the familt to do and should take only a few hours for the round trip up and down.
Conic Hill is closely located to the city of Glasgow, so most travel directions are based on coming from this point in Scotland.
Airports
Glasgow Airport
Edinburgh Airport
Prestwick International Airport
Car
Train
Trains available from Glasgow to Balloch can be found on this Scotrail info link.
Bus
Buses from Glasgow to Balloch can be found on this Scottish City Link info link.
Further buses to Balmaha can be found on this McColl's Local Bus Travel link.
There is no red tape in Scotland due to the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 which incorporated the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. This code, which commenced on the 9th of February 2005, has established statutory rights of access to land and inland water for outdoor recreation.
The Land Reform(Scotland) Act 2003
Scottish Outdoor Access Code
The following aspects should be taken into consideration when you are in the Scottish countryside;
Below is a list of possible accommodation venues that are located in the direct vacinity of Conic Hill.
The Oak Tree Inn
Anchorage Cottage
Foxglove Cottages
Loch Lomond Waterfront
Forest Holidays
Milarrochy Bay
Wild camping is totally legal in Scotland and can be done in various locations close to Conic Hill. This is due to the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 that was mentioned earlier.
Here are some of the basic rules that should be adopted when wild camping;
The Mountaineering Council of Scotland provides an invaluable leaflet providing a full breakdown of the dos and don'ts of wild camping in Scotland. Wild Camping, A guide to good practice.
The following websites will provide invaluable information on the expected conditions for Conic Hill.
The Western Highlands Forecast
Avalanche forecast
The Southern Highlands by Donald Bennet
Scottish Hill and Mountain Names by Peter Drummond
Climbers guide to Arran, Arrochar and the Southern Highlands by K.V. Crocket & A. Walker
Cicerone Guide - Central and Southern Scottish Highlands – backpacking guide by Graham Uney
Landranger Map 56 - Loch Lomond & Inverary
OS Map Explorer sheet 347 - Loch Lomond South
Visit Scotland
Discover Scotland
Undiscovered Scotland
Walk the Highlands
The Scottish Mountaineering Club
Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland
Hill Phones
Buachaille.com (webcams)
Visit Loch Lomond