Conic Hill 31 May

Allan, Davie C, Dougie, Gus, Ian, Jim, Johnny, Kenny R, Kenny T, Malcolm, Paul

This was the perfect day to do this walk i.e. bright and warm, little breeze, and no midges.

Meeting at the car park in Balmaha, we ignored the direct route up the hill and instead walked the two km or so back up the road to Milton of Buchanan where we veered left and headed up the road until it became a track, and continued on it until we came to the junction of the West Highland Way. We had been climbing steadily and even by now there were great views back over Loch Lomond and up towards Conic Hill (361m according to one source). Going left on to the Way, we stopped at quarter past eleven for a coffee break. As we sat we were passed by a number of fellow walkers, and even cyclists, making their way up the well-defined path.
Progress was good after coffee, with time taken for view stops and photo opportunities, and by one o’clock we were at the summit. Davie, Malcolm and Johnny stayed on the path whilst the rest made their way up the tricky wee path to the top to enjoy the fantastic view, Ben Lomond, the Arrocher Alps and beyond, Loch Lomond and its islands, Dumgoyne, to name those your scribe can remember. By this time the hill was extremely busy with folk of all ages and nationalities, so, having explored the various wee tops, they rejoined the three below and made their way downhill a bit to another view point for a stop. Dougie and Kenny R didn’t wait but continued down to the Oak Tree Inn for a spot of lunch, whilst those remining took on drinks and whatever left they had of their snacks.
The lunchers followed the Way down to the car park but the rest decided to continue down a grass track which eventually got steeper and trickier before emerging on the road on the far side of Balmaha. Following the lochside path back to the cars added another km (approx.) onto the walk and it was with relief when we were able to get changed in to dry clothes (not rain but perspiration).
Well-earned FRT was taken outside at the Oak Tree Inn, in the welcome shade.
The walk had taken a tad over four hours with Paul’s gizmo saying 7.6 miles. Had we come down the recognised path it would have been shorter. Nonetheless, this had been a great day out.