Balmaha & Loch Lomond walk

Location

Balmaha can be reached via the A809 from Glasgow. After the A809 joins the A811, take the signposted road left into Dryman. Climb into the village past the Buchanan Arms Hotel on your right then take a left turn onto the B837 signed Balmaha . Balmaha is around 5 miles down the road. Upon reaching the village take a right hand turn into the large car park & park at the far end.

Route

At the rear of the car park there is sign that reads 'Welcome to Balmaha Millenium trail' . The route is marked by posts with white thistle emblems & yellow arrows. Turn left and follow the path that runs through a wooded area for a few minutes. It then descends down a series of steps and across a road to a walkway on the loch, turn right onto the the walkway. A boardwalk juts out from the walkway onto the loch affording fine views over the loch.

After a few hundred yards the walkway ends, go straight ahead here (do not take the main road which turns steeply to the right) & after a further 100 yards take the thistle signposted path on the right up the steps onto a little hill. After a short but fairly steep climb the path reaches a clearing at the top where the views north over Loch Lomond are outstanding. Continue following the thistle sign, the path zig zags downwards through ferns towards another wood below. On completing the descent there is a beach by the loch straight ahead & paths to the left that can be investigated if time allows.

The main path runs rightwards alongside the loch & passes a number of small beaches as it meanders through the woods. Water loving dogs will make the decision regarding which beach to investigate long before mere humans do !

After around 45 minutes the path reaches the car park & shop at Milarrochy Bay. At this point you can either continue along the waymarked path towards Rowardennan & beyond or simply retrace your steps back to Balmaha

Approximate distance & time

To Milarrochy Bay & back to Balmaha 3miles . Duration ninety minutes

Facilities

At Balmaha there are a couple of pubs The Highland Way bar & The Oak Tree inn. The Oak tree inn has seats outside but does not allow dogs indoors.

Hazards

Watch out for the eroded path washed away by the loch about 10 minutes short of Milarrochy, best to walk around via the beach avoiding the barbed wire fence. For food orientated dogs the rubbish that lies around parts of the beach may be tempting. Watch out for vehicles when walking across the road section of this route.