Video blog: A day in Balmaha

Things to do around Balmaha

There’s plenty to do in Balmaha, from short walks and steep climbs with great views to boat trips and island exploration. If you’d like to learn more about the village and the surrounding area, pop into the National Park Visitor Centre in the car park and get first hand explanations from one of our Rangers.

Here’s some ideas:

• Climb  Conic Hill to enjoy great views across Loch Lomond and along the Highland Boundary Fault. Allow 2 – 3 hours for the climb and enjoying the views. If you need a picnic, refreshments can be bought from the Village Shop (Please Note: The Conic Hill path is closed until Friday 31st March to allow the path to be widened and strengthened.  There is no access to Conic Hill from either side.  This work is the first phase of a package of essential maintenance and improvement works over the next three years.)
• Stroll along the Millennium Forest Trail and explore the woods around the lochshores and village. The trail is 1 mile long and will take about 45 minutes
• Explore the Nature Reserve on Inchcailloch Island – boats from Balmaha Boat Yard leave every 15 minutes (9.30am – 5pm, Easter to October). Once on the island explore the woodlands and spot wildlife from one of two walking routes. Make sure you include the summit path if you can for lovely views across the loch and surrounding mountains. You can also dip your feet in the water at Port Bawn beach or visit the ancient graveyard of the island

How to get there

By car: From Glasgow, follow the A81 to Milngavie and then follow signs for Drymen.  In Drymen village, turn left on to B837 for Balmaha. From Edinburgh, take the M9 westwards and at Stirling, take the junction 10 on the A84, which will continue on to the A811; in Drymenvillage, turn left on to B837 for Balmaha.

By public transport: From Glasgow, take a train to Balloch (trains run from Glasgow Queen Street twice per hour and take 50 minutes) and switch to the 309 bus to Balmaha (leaves 25 minutes after the train arrives, from the nearby Balloch Bus station just across the bridge opposite the gates to Balloch Country Park).