Balmaha Visitor Centre - Glasgow

Lauren B.

Super helpful and friendly staff! Came with friends from abroad and the staff gave us lots of tips and options for the time we had available. Thanks! We had a great boat trip to Luss and walked a trail with lovely views.

Catherine H.

We were staying in Stirling and went on a day trip to see this area. The staff were very nice and gave us recommendations on hikes we can do. We decided last minute to climb Conic hill since it wasn’t raining.

Ali N.

Brilliant day out. Information centre is right in the car park area with toilet use (50p to access the barrier leading to toilets), Parking is sufficient but it might get crowded if you arrive later in the day on a good weather day (we paid through ringo app somewhere between £3-4 for 4hours). There is a picnic area for everyone to enjoy a nibble or only some fresh air in a grassy area/benches as well. There is also a wee coffee shop across the road.
The hill doesn’t take long to climb if you are good fit (took me longer as I don’t fall into the fit category 🥹. About 1h up the hill, and 20-30min back. First part of the walk is through forest then past the gate it’s made of rocky steps with plenty stops to rest(for some of us) or to take a picture of the beautiful view.

SAIRUS

The Balmaha Visitor Centre, located on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond in Scotland, serves as a gateway to the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. It provides an excellent starting point for exploring the area, especially for visitors interested in hiking the Conic Hill trail or learning about the park's natural and cultural heritage.
Informative Exhibits: Displays on the local environment, wildlife, and history, offering insight into the park's significance.
Helpful Staff: Knowledgeable rangers provide guidance on trails, activities, and conservation efforts.
Facilities: Basic amenities include restrooms, parking (can be limited during peak times) also the availability of EV charging points is a huge advantage.
Accessibility: The centre is family-friendly, but some trails, like Conic Hill, may be challenging for less experienced hikers.
Over all It's a great spot for nature enthusiasts or those seeking a scenic introduction to Loch Lomond.

Irina M.

Lovely little gift shop and cafe, and some useful booklets available.

squishy

Clean with friendly staff, although I grudge paying 50p to pee ! The walk was amazing with my son 💙 uphill ! Dow hill was tricky on my knees, and we both were " hangry"
Will be back C . Hill

Willow T.

Easter visit. A beautiful destination on the east shores of Loch Lomond. The visitors centre has plenty of parking, do note that payment is cash or phone app only. The toilets are 50p per visit and the payment is contact-less only. The centre has all the local information you need and there were staff on hand to assist and support walkers with route advice for Conic Hill  The West Highland Way and the Millennium Forest Walk.
Opposite the car park you'll find The Royal Oak, shops, Tom Weir's Rest (statue and gardens), and you can catch a ferry from the boatyard to the nearby Inchcailloch Island.
You can get here by boat from Balloch and Luss.

Jessica T.

We did a small hike from the parking lot here around and up the small hill by the loch. The Millennium Forest trail. The day was hot so it was uncomfortable but the walk/hike itself was simple.

The area though is SO busy... it's clearly a popular place for tourists and locals - everyone was there to go to the beach, or sit on the rocks, or go on a boat or something. This made it actually really unpleasant to be there.

So if you're there in an off season (which we thought we were early-mid May) then it's a good option for a base for many different hikes (including conic hill), but it's insanely busy. I'd skip Loch Lomond area and just go to the highlands, Glencoe, Kilmartin area and east coast.