Stage 2 of 7
Drymen to Rowardennan, Stage 2 of the West Highland Way
Garadhban Forest, Conic Hill and the first proper view of Loch Lomond.
- 14 miles, 22.5km
- 6 to 7 hours
- Rises to 312m
- Starts at our gate
Stage 2 of the West Highland Way runs 14 miles (22.5km) from Drymen to Rowardennan and takes most walkers six to seven hours. It climbs through Garadhban Forest and over the shoulder of Conic Hill, reaching about 312 metres, then drops to Balmaha on the shore of Loch Lomond before following the east bank north. Drymen Camping is at the start of it, directly on the trail, so you begin the day already on the route.
Height along the way
Lowest 8m, highest 312m
DrymenRowardennan
Measured along the route from a 25m elevation model. Heights are rounded to the nearest metre.
What is the walking like?
Much harder than Stage 1, and the day most walkers underestimate. It climbs from near sea level to about 312 metres on the shoulder of Conic Hill, then gives all of it back down a steep, eroded descent into Balmaha. The second half along the loch shore looks flat on a map and is not: it is a constant series of short rises and falls on rock and tree roots.
The climb itself is not long, but it comes after a couple of miles of forest track and the descent is the part that hurts. Walking poles earn their keep here.
Does the Way go over the top of Conic Hill?
No, and this is worth knowing before you set off. The West Highland Way crosses the shoulder, not the summit. The path reaches about 312 metres while the summit is 361 metres, roughly 140 metres off the trail to your right.
The detour to the top is short and the view over the loch islands is the one everybody photographs, but it is optional and it is a genuine extra climb at the point in the day when you are most likely to regret one. The islands you can see from there sit on the Highland Boundary Fault, which is the same geological line the hill itself is part of.
What about dogs and lambing season?
Conic Hill crosses working farmland. During lambing there are usually restrictions or requests about dogs on this section, and they are worth checking before you walk rather than at the stile. There is more on our dogs and horses page, and the National Park publishes current advice.
Where do you stop along the way?
Balmaha, about eight miles from us, is the obvious break: it is at the bottom of the Conic Hill descent, it has a shop, cafes, a pub and a National Park visitor centre, and it is the last easy resupply before Rowardennan.
Between us and Balmaha there is nothing. Garadhban Forest has no facilities, and the climb has none either. Fill water before you leave and carry lunch.
What you pass, in order
The numbers match the pins on the map.
- 1 Garadhban Forest Directly on the Way.
- 2 Conic Hill About 140 metres off the Way.
- 3 Balmaha About 5 metres off the Way.
Where can you stop on this stage?
Distances are measured along the trail from our gate. We do not list opening hours: they change through the season and they are not ours to publish, so check with the business before you rely on one.
- Altquhur Byre baking shed Shop at the campsite
A self-service shed of home baking at Easter Drumquhassle Farm, a couple of minutes from our gate. Pay by card using the QR code.
- Toilets at the campsite
Toilets and hot walk-in showers, included in every pitch.
- Drinking water Water at the campsite
Drinking water on site. There is no water or electric hook-up on the pitches themselves.
- Buchanan Arms Hotel Food and drink 0.9 mi after us
Hotel with a bar and restaurant, on the Stirling road out of the village.
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On the village square. It describes itself as the oldest licensed pub in Scotland, dating to 1734.
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The village shop, and the nearest full grocery run to us.
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Hotel bar and restaurant on the square.
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Pub and restaurant on the square.
- Drymen Bakery Shop 1.1 mi after us
Bakery on the village square.
- Top Up Tap Water 1.1 mi after us
A free Top Up Tap on the square, part of the Scottish Water refill network.
- National Park Centre Information 8 mi after us
National Park visitor centre at the foot of Conic Hill, with maps and route advice.
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Cafe and coffee roaster by the bay.
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Village shop, and the last easy resupply before Rowardennan.
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The obvious stop once you are down off Conic Hill.
- Top Up Tap Water 8.2 mi after us
Another free Top Up Tap, by the bay.
Staying with us on this stage
Drymen Camping is at Gartness Road, Drymen, Stirlingshire G63 0DN, directly on the Way at the start of this stage. Standard pitches are £14 per adult per night and the pods start at £52. Toilets, hot walk-in showers, charging points and wi-fi are included, and there is a shop on site. Full rates are here, and no camping permit is needed to stay with us.
Stage 2 at a glance
- From
- Drymen
- To
- Rowardennan
- Distance
- 14 miles
- Typical time
- 6 to 7 hours
- Highest point
- 312m
- Permit needed
- No
Open 14 March to 8 October 2027
Last updated .
What walkers ask us most
How far is Drymen from Milngavie on the West Highland Way?
Stage 1 runs about 12 miles from the obelisk in Milngavie to Drymen, typically five to six hours of walking through Mugdock Country Park and the Blane Valley.
Can I camp at Drymen Camping without a permit?
Yes. We sit just before the start of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Camping Management Zone, so no permit is needed to pitch with us.
Do I need to book ahead?
Pre-booking online is recommended, especially for the pods. You can also pay camping fees from £14 per person when you arrive, subject to availability.
What if I want my bags moved on from Drymen?
Ask at reception. Most baggage transfer providers on the West Highland Way already deliver to and collect from us, and we can sign you up on the spot.
What walking and cycling routes pass Drymen Camping?
Five, plus the End to End and the Badger Divide. The site is directly on the West Highland Way, where Stage 1 ends and Stage 2 begins. National Cycle Route 7 and Cycling UK’s Great North Trail both pass the gate on Gartness Road. The Rob Roy Way starts in Drymen Square, about a mile on, and the John Muir Way cycle route passes within about 600 metres. Most walkers going from Land’s End to John o’ Groats also cross Scotland on the West Highland Way, so they come past us too, and the Badger Divide gravel route from Glasgow to Inverness passes about a kilometre away, near Gartness.
Where should I stay on day 1 of the West Highland Way?
Most walkers finish Stage 1 at Drymen, 12 miles from Milngavie. Drymen Camping is on Gartness Road directly on the Way, with pitches from £14 per adult and pods from £52. The village itself is two kilometres on and has pubs, a cafe, a deli and a Spar.
Walking the Way this year?
The 2027 season runs from Sunday 14 March, with the last night on Friday 8 October and last check-out on Saturday 9 October.