Stage 1 of 7 · West Highland Way
Start → Balmaha, Car Park
Trail route lab
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Getting Here
Ardmore gardens (bus stop)
593m from trailhead · ~7 min walk
Getting Out
Balmaha, Car Park (bus stop)
91m from trail end · ~1 min walk
Elevation Profile
Route Map
Segment Breakdown
Auto-analyzed from the elevation profile. Each segment shows the dominant character for planning your effort.
| Segment | Dist | ↑ / ↓ | Time | Character |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Start → km 4.0 (153m) 67–176m | 4 km | +163m / -79m | 1h 07m | 📈 Climbing |
km 4.0 (153m) → km 8.3 (246m) 133–246m | 4.3 km | +192m / -99m | 1h 13m | 📈 Climbing |
km 8.3 (246m) → Balmaha, Car Park 17–327m | 2.9 km | +125m / -353m | 58 min | 📉 Descending |
| Total | 11.2 km | +344m / -394m | 3h 18m |
Pace & Fuel Calculator
Adjust your flat 10K pace to see personalized finish time, calorie burn, and hydration needs.
Terrain Analysis
Surface & Technicality
🏃 Mostly runnable with gentle terrain. Great for fast trail running.
Surface
Estimated for the full route from the 34% with mapped surface data in OpenStreetMap.
Current Conditions
Conditions for July
✅ Snow unlikely at this elevation in July. Trail conditions expected to be clear.
Planning ahead?
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Suggested Gear List
Auto-generated based on 11.2 km, 344m ascent, max altitude 327.4m, ~3h duration.
- 👟 Trail running shoes / hiking bootsRequired for any trail
- 📱 Phone (charged) + offline mapNavigation & emergency contact
- 💧 2L hydration packEstimated 1.6L needed
- 🍫 Energy bars & gelsEst. 1101 kcal burn
- 🧴 SunscreenBasic sun protection
- 🩹 Mini first aid kitBlister plasters, tape, antiseptic
- 🧊 Microspikes / light cramponsSnow risk in Nov, Dec, Jan
- 🦵 GaitersKeep snow out of boots
Logistics
This route runs from Start to Balmaha, Car Park (11.2 km by trail). You'll need to arrange transport back to your starting point.
Nearby Points of Interest
🚌 Transit Stops
- Ardmore gardens 561m off trail
- Drymen, Balmaha Rd 885m off trail
- Drymen, The Square 832m off trail
- Blane Smithy Roundabout km 0.5 · 4.2 km off trail
- Napier Road km 0.5 · 4.3 km off trail
- Drumtian Road km 0.5 · 4.6 km off trail
- Killearn, Parish Church km 0.5 · 4.7 km off trail
- Killearn, Station Rd km 0.5 · 4.6 km off trail
💧 Water Sources
- Top Up Tap 818m off trail
- Drinking water km 0.4 · 1.7 km off trail
- Top Up Tap km 9.9 · 566m off trail
- Top Up Tap km 11.2 · 1.4 km off trail
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