From Drymen the Way climbs Conic Hill, the only big ascent of the day, for a view along the chain of islands that marks the Highland Boundary Fault, then drops to Balmaha. From there it follows the east shore of Loch Lomond on lochside paths through ancient oak woodland to Rowardennan, at the foot of Ben Lomond.
Highlights
- The view from Conic Hill
- Islands on the Highland Boundary Fault
- Balmaha and the National Park Visitor Centre
- Ancient oak woodland on the loch shore
- Ospreys fishing on the loch
Know before you go
- From 1 March to 30 September camping is allowed only at campsites and in permit areas (Loch Lomond camping byelaws).
- During lambing (mid-April to the end of May) dogs are not allowed in the two fields on the east approach to Conic Hill; a low-level route via Milton of Buchanan avoids the hill.
Stage conditions
| Water on route | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Shade | Partial |
| Elevation range | 10–320 m |
Common questions
How long is the Drymen to Rowardennan stage?
It is 24.0 km (14.9 mi) and takes about 6 hours of walking, from Drymen to Rowardennan.
How hard is Drymen to Rowardennan?
It is rated moderate with 589 m of ascent and 636 m of descent over mixed terrain.
Is there water on the Drymen to Rowardennan stage?
There is a moderate amount of water along this stage — carry enough between resupply points.
Walk this stage
Open the full stage list to plan the legs either side, or get the free West Highland Way Walk app for offline maps and GPS on the trail.
