L2L Day 67 Drymen to Rowardennan - 16 miles

Over breakfast we met Claire, Tara and Maggie a team of Scottish medics - all keen walkers and walking the WHW for the first time. We decided to rename them International rescue - at the same time hoping their services wouldn't be called upon.


We left them enjoying their eggs benedict, bought our provisions for the day and headed off up the hill.



Today was a game of two halves.
For the first 5 miles, the preoccupation was Conic Hill - or Chronic Hill as some wag at the shop called it.


At about 1200 ft it's nothing compared to the big chaps in the vicinity but it's in the way, so has to be climbed over.
Approaching from our side, the summit is accessed by a short detour from the trail.


Everyone from our side, walking from Drymen with backpacks. Approaching from the other side,  'mere' day- trippers walking up the short but steep path from a large car park at Balmaha.
Last time I recall there had been no point in taking the detour as there was so little visibility. Today, the morning was bright and clear and reaching the summit was definitely worth it.


Rather too busy though.


The descent is ankle-breaking


until the path arrives at the forest of redwoods.


We shunned an ice cream stop at the busy Balmaha and pushed on along the Loch shore. 



I don't recall any of this busy-ness last time as the weather was poor. Today was dry and warm and the Loch is looking beautiful so trippers are out in the coach load. The further from Balmaha, the quieter it became.


Then the heavy drizzle started.



The path meanders and undulates sometimes close to the Loch shore. The steep bits - particularly in Ross Wood did rather sap my enthusiasm.


These still air conditions were also perfect for the midges - Standing still wasn't an option.


Eventually we arrived at Rowardennan and after finding the key code to our wooden lodge were  - at long last - in the dry and midge free.

Supper at the Rowardennan hotel was noisy and busy but fun. We shared a table with the two Dutch girls and Julianne, a new recruit from Vancouver.


We finished the evening with the obligatory whisky tasting. Appropriately enough, the Loch Lomond 18yr old came out a popular winner.


To bed in our bijou lodge. Swinging cats is not just discouraged, it would be impossible!! 

I hope Neil doesn't snore!!!

............

He Did!!!!!






Comments

  1. Julianne31 May 2026 at 13:42

    Hi David, turns out I’ve misplaced your card and I can’t yet iMessage Neil until I’m back on home soil. Could you have him try to send me a message?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jacolien en Lineke1 June 2026 at 11:56

    Hi David, unfortunately we didn’t say goodbye yesterday morning. But we really enjoyed the two evenings we spend together, and the Whiskeys😆 good luck with your trip and all the best! Also greetings for Neil! Best regards, the Dutch girls

    ReplyDelete

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