Major upgrades to Conic Hill path completed after three years

Major upgrades to one of Scotland’s most popular hills have been completed after three years.

A new path has been created on Conic Hill, which draws more than 200,000 visitors every year, to help walkers stay on designated routes and protect the area’s biodiversity and natural landscape.

The new two-metre-wide path stretches 1.4km from Balmaha Visitor Centre to the summit and was created through sub-zero temperatures and blistering heat.

Over 2,000 tonnes of locally sourced stone from Dumbarton quarry were transported to the site by land and air, where contractors applied the traditional craft of stone pitching.

Similar to constructing a dry-stone wall laid flat into the hillside, stone pitching ensures long-lasting resilience and minimal environmental impact.

The £900,000 project’s completion comes after the path was completely closed to the public in January 2025 after sustaining serious damage due to Storm Eowyn.

Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority said the new path aims to encourage “responsible behaviour.”

The National Park Authority said it is also working with local landowners and Police Scotland to address livestock worrying and urged visitors to always keep dogs on a lead.

Conic Hill, affectionately known as a “Mountain in Miniature”, draws more than 200,000 visitors annually due to its accessibility and setting on the iconic banks of Loch Lomond, forming part of the internationally significant Highland Boundary Fault Line.

Conic Hill, also known as a 'Mountain in Miniature'. — Conic Hill, also known as a ‘Mountain in Miniature’. Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority

Simon Jones, director of Environment and Visitor Services at Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority, said: “The completion of the extensive Conic Hill path improvement project is part of our ongoing commitment to investing in sustainable visitor infrastructure across the National Park.

“This investment is a key part of our wider Place Plan initiative, which balances recreation with environmental sustainability and enhances biodiversity, visitor infrastructure, and local economic benefits simultaneously.

“We look forward to continuing similar efforts, such as our improvement work at Tarbet Pier Picnic Site, and as we head into our peak visitor season, encourage everyone to respect this special landscape, enjoy the new path responsibly, and help us protect the beauty and biodiversity of Conic Hill for future generations.”

Ryan Hamilton, Hamilton Construction, added: “When Hamilton’s took over works in late 2023, we undertook an uphill task of navigating through a hillside known for its challenging terrain and addressing significant erosion scars.

“We have endured all types of weather, from temperatures as low as -10C to the blistering heat of peak summer, to complete almost 900m of the new path, of which we are immensely proud.

“Feedback from walkers during our time on the hill has been very positive. The greatest satisfaction comes from hearing that individuals who were previously unable to access Conic Hill can now do so.”