📌 Balmaha, Stirling
★★★★
“Small but perfectly formed” is a phrase which springs to mind when describing this little loop from Balmaha. “Tourist trap” would be another, less favourable description: this is one of the prettiest but busiest spots on Loch Lomond. A lot of variety is packed into a single mile, including shady forest, a miniature summit viewpoint and an interesting path right on the water’s edge. Keep an eye out for red squirrels and bird species including common crossbill and the tiny goldcrest. Near the finish is the Oak Tree Inn, which we wholeheartedly recommend for food.
📷 Chronological photo guide
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish at National Park Visitor Centre, B837 in Balmaha village centre
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NS 421909
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 56.085098,-4.539441
🚌 Bus to Balmaha
🚗 Car park (charge)
📝 Key info
▶ 2 km / 1 mi | ▲ 60 m | ⌛ 45 min
Features: 🏰 Craigie Fort; 💧 Loch Lomond ★★★★
⬤ Easy | Wide, gravel or dirt paths with short, steep ascent / descent near Craigie Fort. Very short rocky section on return by the lochside.
Download file for GPS➡️ Figure-of-8 walk (anticlockwise for both halves): start – Craigie Fort – head north to path along Loch Lomond which rejoins outward route – Oak Tree Inn via shoreline – start. Route leaflet 🔗 here (doesn’t show final section)
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Several woodland birds with coal tits stealing the show. The usual mallards and swans by the loch.
Weather: Sunshine and shades, no wind. Jumpers not required!
March 2015
