{"id":10523,"date":"2018-06-14T05:32:27","date_gmt":"2018-06-14T05:32:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/michaelandpamstravels.com\/?p=10523"},"modified":"2019-05-25T10:32:12","modified_gmt":"2019-05-25T00:32:12","slug":"walking-the-west-highland-way-scotland-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/michaelandpamstravels.com\/?p=10523","title":{"rendered":"Walking the West Highland Way, Scotland 2018 \ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc73\udb40\udc63\udb40\udc74\udb40\udc7f"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Date: 13th June 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travelled: 56 kilometres from Drymen to Balloch via Rowardennan, Scotland.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visited: Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stayed: Balloch, carpark adjacent the park, free. N56.00500, W04.58055<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Probably the best known walk in Scotland is the West Highland Way.  Its commences in Milngavie near Glasgow and terminates at Fort William 96 miles to the north.  In eight stages over eight days is the recommended.  Our plan is to walk section two from Drymen to Rowardennan, 14 miles or 22 kilometres with a total ascent of 540metres.  Why, hopefully some of the best views of Loch Lomond from Conic Hill and we like a good walk.  The second challenge is getting back to the Hymer after the walk.  It will be a long day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It wasn\u2019t the best night sleep.  Some car drove into our little car-park about 1.30am did a lap and left.  Given we are in the middle of absolutley nowhere a little disturbing.  But we\u2019re used to wildcamping and take what comes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Our first task of the day, check the weather as rain is predicted.  \u2018Clear this morning, 50% chance of rain this afternoon\u201d, so we decide to give it a go.  After coffee and fruit at 6.30, we drive the Hymer up to Rowardennan, drop off the scooter and chain it up in the pub car-park.  Then head back to our little carpark near Drymen, have breakfast, get dressed, lock-up and start walking at 9am.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On our way, still fresh as a daisy, full of bacon and eggs.  The weather has changed this morning after 10 days of sunshine.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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We get our first good look at the morning\u2019s challenge, Conic Hill.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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We pass other walkers as we approach Conic Hill.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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There\u2019s always something to catch your eye as you walk.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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About halfway up Conic Hill the view of Loch Lomond opens up and you can see why this walk is so popular.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Michael and Pam's Photo Sphere (5548C782-D1CB-4FE2-8881-0E34C10274B4)<\/a>
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Finally the top and time for a quick selfie.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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It certainly is a wonderful view across the loch, but we have another 8 miles to go.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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So we make our way down the hill, despite this picture numerous groups of people are passing us regularly now heading up the hill from Balmaha, the car-park closest to Conic Hill.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The trail joins the loch near Balmaha and we continue north. Through bracken and forest we only get glimpses of loch for most of the afternoon.  We thought this part of the walk would be the easiest but it wasn\u2019t.  There are several of these short climbs and lots of steps.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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