Explore Balmaha, Loch Lomond

Balmaha is one of my favourite places in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. It has become increasingly popular over recent years. This guide will help you plan your trip and provide helpful tips for a successful visit. Read to the bottom of this article for a list of ten must-do activities in Balmaha, Loch Lomond.

Getting to Balmaha

During weekends and on warm days, you won’t be alone in coming up with the idea to visit Balmaha. Easy access from Glasgow makes it very popular with day-trippers. By road, the only entrance to the Eastern Shores of Loch Lomond is via Drymen. The large public car park (now pay and display) in the village can quickly fill up, and thankfully, there is now an overflow car park close by to help alleviate the demand for parking that is especially busy on warm days and weekends. If you park in the overflow car park, camera registration is in place, so a fine will be applied if payment is not made quickly after entry.

Boats to Balmaha

We recommend arriving by boat if possible. You will not have to worry about parking, but it is a picturesque crossing from Balloch or Luss. See our guide to ferries and cruises in the National Park for timings and operators.

Cycle to Balmaha

A cycle path is partly in place between the villages of Drymen and Balmaha. The first section is complete and signed from the Village Square in Drymen. It goes through Buchanan Estate before joining the B839 road a few miles before Balmaha.

Bus Service to Balmaha

A bus service runs between Alexandria and Balmaha throughout the day. You could take a train to Balloch from Glasgow or Helensburgh and then take the bus to Balmaha. The bus stop is close to the entrance of the main car park in the village.

Walk to Balmaha

Finally, you can walk the 7 miles between Drymen and Balmaha over Conic Hill, following the route of the West Highland Way. A beautiful walk, with climbs rewarded by stunning views across Loch Lomond and its islands. 

Where is Balmaha

See Balmaha’s location on the map below; use the + key to zoom in.

 

Loch Lomond National Park Information Centre 

The National Park’s flagship Visitor Centre is in the main Balmaha car park. Knowledgeable and friendly rangers will provide information and maps, and there are toilets (charge).

Camping in East Loch Lomond

Be aware that camping restrictions exist along the eastern shores of Loch Lomond (and some other parts of the National Park). See our separate guide to camping in East Loch Lomond.

The Oak Tree, Village Shop & St Mocha 

Across from the car park, you can see the Oak Tree Inn. The Fraser family built and opened their popular bar and restaurant in 1997 and have been the driving force behind improvements to Balmaha. Their contribution has been transformational, helping improve the village's appearance and facilities.

In addition to B&B accommodation, the village shop is thoughtfully stocked with food, drink, and other items you may need if you are camping, staying in self-catering facilities, walking the West Highland Way, or just visiting for the day. 

St Mocha Coffee Shop & Ice Cream Parlour serves coffee roasted on-site by Loch Lomond Coffee Co. Bags of coffee can be bought for home use, with a donation from each supporting red squirrel conservation Balmaha. Their delicious Loch Lomond ice cream is also made on-site.  You can also buy our book ‘101 Things to Do in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs’ at the Oak Tree’s reception and in the Village Shop.

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Weir's Rest 

Close to the Oak Tree, on a picturesque spot by the lochside, is Weir's Rest. This area celebrates the life of Scottish climber and TV presenter Tom Weir. 

Tom's long-running TV series 'Weir's Way' introduced the wonders of the Scottish scenery to millions of Scots. The centrepiece of the site is a statue of Tom, which is much loved and photographed. You can read more about Weir's Rest in our separate guide (click the button below).

Do read the storyboards around the site to find out more about Tom Weir and Balmaha's marvellous nature and landscapes that he loved so much. 

Balmaha Boatyard

Between The Oak Tree Building and Weir’s Rest, a road leads to Balmaha Boatyard. The MacFarlane family has been operating their service of beautiful wooden boats for generations, with an on-demand ferry service to Inchcailloch Island. Cruise Loch Lomond also runs a water bus to Inchcailloch from Luss three times a day (From April to October). See our guide to ferries and cruises in the National Park.

Balmaha Bay

Just beyond Weir’s Rest enjoy the picture-postcard view of the village, taking in its natural bay, with boats and Inchcailloch Island in the distance. Here you can also get access to the water and it is a good place for children to feed the ducks. 

Photography Training Courses  

A quick plug now for our photography training courses. We run these throughout the seasons, with the outdoors and wonderful scenery acting as our classroom. We teach camera skills and settings and take the mystery out of camera modes and jargon over a 2.5-hour walking tour. They are appropriate for all levels.

Balmaha Forest Walk 

Follow the path of the West Highland Way up to Craigie Fort, where a short and steep climb leads to a good viewing point across the loch to the islands and Ben Lomond. 

Conic Hill

 I mentioned that Balmaha's car park gets very busy. On a weekend day (whatever the time of year), you will find many people walking up Conic Hill. Start in the car park and head through the forest. As it clears, you will have some steps to climb. After climbing them, pause to get your breath back. Turn around and take in the stunning view. The more you climb, the better it gets, and the path has recently been upgraded.

At the top of Conic Hill, look down on Loch Lomond and its islands. You can also see the effect of the Highland Boundary Fault Line, which cuts across Scotland from Arran in the west to Stonehaven in the east. You're looking at where the lowlands become the Scottish Highlands. 

The views here are outstanding; you'll understand why this is such a popular walk. Conic Hill is on the  West Highland Way route and is one of the most exceptional features of the long-distance trail. 

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Lochside Walk

A flatter and easier walk is the lochside path. Walk along the dead-end road that runs alongside the bay. At its end, you will see the old pier, with a pathway continuing along the banks of the loch, a section of the West Highland Way that eventually leads to Rowardennan.

There are many beaches to explore along the lochside path, together with excellent views across to nearby islands. 

Beautiful Balmaha

Here is a summary of my Top 10 things to see, do, and discover in Balmaha (not ranked in any order - do them all!)

1.    Go on an Island Cruise (Cruise Loch Lomond) 

2.    Visit the Tom Weir Statue

3.    Enjoy Loch Lomond Ice Cream (St Mocha) 

4.    Take the ferry to Inchcailloch Island (Balmaha Boatyard) 

5.    Learn about the Highland Boundary Fault Line (National Park Visitor Centre)

6.    Eat good Scottish food at the Oak Tree Inn

7.    Take the lochside path and explore beaches 

8.    See the view from Craigie Fort

9.    Drink Loch Lomond Coffee (St Mocha)

10.  Climb Conic Hill 

Thanks for reading

Words and photography by Paul Saunders. Visit Paul’s Marketing and Photography websites for details of his services in Scotland.

Do you love Balmaha as much as we do? Tell us about your visit, and share any highlights in the comments below.