The Conic Hill Walk is a short but steep family-friendly hike starting from Balmaha in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. It follows part of the West Highland Way and rewards hikers with amazing views over Loch Lomond, its islands, and the Highland Boundary Fault.
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Highlights of the The Conic Hill Walk
The Conic Hill trail begins with a beautiful walk through a very lush forest. The ancient trees are beautiful and are complemented by the dense green foliage growing along the forest floor. Wildflowers are everywhere, including some very showy purple fox gloves. Birdsong filled the air during this stretch of the hike.
Once you clear the forest, the views of Loch Lomond, its islands, the surrounding rolling hills and mountains are amazing. The views are so good, we named the Conic Hill walk as one of our favorite things to do in Scotland with kids.
Conic Hill Hike Stats
How Long is the Conic Hill Walk?
The total round-trip distance of the Conic Hill walk is 3.3 miles / 5.3 km.
How Steep is the Conic Hill Trail?
The Conic hill hike is mostly uphill with approximately 1,180 feet / 360 m of total elevation gain. There are some sections of this hike which are steep stairs or extended uphill walks, but anyone in reasonable shape ought to be able to do it.
How Hard is the Conic Hill Walk?
We’d rate The Conic Hill Walk as a ‘moderately difficult hike‘. This isn’t an easy stroll through a meadow, but it’s not summiting a mountain either. Our 3 & 5 year old kids did this entire hike themselves, with very little difficulty. There were many kids hiking Conic Hill and they all seemed to be doing just fine.
If the Conic Hill walk sounds too difficult for your family, check out these easy walks in Loch Lomond National Park we enjoyed with our kids.
How Long Does the Conic Hill Hike Take?
This hike took us 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete, which is typical for our kids’ pace. Without kids, we could have completed this hike in about 60 – 90 minutes.
Location
The Conic Hill Walk trailhead is in the Balmaha Car Park, where you will also find the Balmaha Visitor Centre. After about 5 feet, the trail reaches a T-intersection, where you will turn right.
This is a very popular hike, so get here early. We arrived shortly after 9 am on a sunny Saturday morning in July and easily got a parking spot. When we returned to the parking lot midday, and then again late afternoon after our lakeside walk to a beach, there were many cars circling the parking lot waiting for someone to leave to get a spot.
Conic Hill Walk Trailhead Location
Conic Hill Trail Map
You can download the Conic Hill trail map on your phone by using the AllTrails hiking app. Once in the app, search the hikes for “Conic Hill Walk”. Select the trail and download the map on your phone before you head out for your hike.
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What to Expect on the Conic Hill Walk
The Conic Hill hike begins on a wide gravel trail, working its way upward through a lush, green forest. Very old trees loom overhead, while dense grasses, moss and ferns blanket the forest floor.
About halfway up, you leave the forest and enter a windblown meadow, with nothing larger than a fern growing. This is where the views start to open up and become amazing.
Walking up the hill, your back will be to the lake, but the views of the rolling hills of the Scottish Highlands are amazing. Take a peek behind you for your first great view of the lake and surrounding hills.
The trail keeps going up with several opportunities to stop at viewpoints along the way, but the best are found when you reach the summit. From up here, the 360-degree views are astounding and a wonderful reward for your efforts.
The best part? The walk back to your car is all downhill with incredible views of Loch Lomond!
Don’t Miss: Our full list of the best things to do in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park with kids.
Hiking Conic Hill Walk with Kids
There are bathrooms (which charge a small fee) in the Balmaha Visitor Centre. Be sure to use them as there are not many opportunities to find privacy along this very busy trail, especially once you leave the forest.
There are no water bottle filling stations on this hike; be sure to fill your water bladders before leaving home.
Once the trail leaves the forest, you will be fully exposed to the elements. We did this hike on a partly cloudy day and were continually taking off and putting on layers. We didn’t start with sunscreen on but did apply it after an extended period of sunshine.
Be prepared for any weather; wear clothing in layers, bring lots of water, sunscreen, rain gear, and something to repel the midges if they are out.
This trail is not stroller friendly due to the uphill path, steps, and rougher summit section. Many parents had their little ones on their backs in a baby or toddler carrier.
Dogs are allowed on Conic Hill Walk, but should be kept on a lead, especially because of livestock and sensitive habitat.
The gravel trail can get quite slippery going downhill after the summit. You may need to hold hands with little ones to prevent them from slipping and falling.
The Balmaha Visitor Centre is worth a stop for its many interesting displays and kid-friendly activities.
There’s a small playground in the parking lot to let kids play at before or after the hike.
We have an entire post full of all our best tips for hiking with kids and another with the best hiking gear for kids.
Where to Stop for Lunch or a Break
There are many viewpoints along the hike that make good places to stop for a break or picnic lunch. There are places to stop and eat along the summit, but the wind can get very strong up there.
Try to find a better, more sheltered spot a little lower. We stopped for lunch at the final clearing before re-entering the forest.
Interesting Information
The Conic Hill Walk is situated on the Highland Boundary Fault Line, which separates the Scottish Lowlands from the Scottish Highlands. The Balmaha Visitor Centre has a great display inside showcasing this unique geological feature.
Follow Along our Family Vacation to Scotland
We arrived in Loch Lomond after starting our family trip to Scotland with three days in Glasgow with kids. After Loch Lomond, we explored the area around Fort William with kids, where among other things, we got to see the famous Harry Potter train bridge.
If you are planning a family vacation to Scotland, check out our comprehensive Scotland packing list for families. For inspiration, don’t miss our comprehensive guide to visiting Scotland with kids.
Our Travel Journal for Kids
Based on our family travels, our kids helped us design this Travel Journal for Active Kids! This engaging travel journal encourages kids to document their adventures, spark creativity, and stay entertained on the go – grab yours now on Amazon!
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Dan Brewer is an intrepid family travel blogger with a passion for exploring the world's most captivating destinations. With 62 countries under his belt and a sense of wanderlust that knows no bounds, he has made it his life's mission to share his travel experiences and insights with fellow families who love to travel.
When Dan isn't traveling with his wife and kids, he's either out enjoying the Canadian Rockies he calls home or working on one of his three travel sites (Family Can Travel, Travel Banff Canada and Ultimate Sports Road Trip).