Hill walks
It may be a lowland route but you can still enjoy some fantastic panoramic views from the John Muir Way. In fact there are numerous short and often steep climbs accessible from the route, making it easy to mix things up with some extra elevation. Here's our pick of the hills that quickly reward with views over the John Muir Way and beyond.
Gouk Hill & Ben Bowie
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The highest point of the most western section is Gouk Hill, also easily accessed on a short half-day walk from either Helensburgh or Balloch. Views from the summit can be reached via an (unmarked) detour of only 200m from the main path near the two ponds at the crest of the trail itself. Just 1km to the west is the slightly higher Ben Bowie, accessed from the Three Lochs Way.
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Dumgoyne Hill
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Located just off the cycle route north of Strathblane, Dumgoyne Hill rises steeply above Glengoyne Distillery. The gradient may be tough but it means you are quickly rewarded with views of the Campsie Fells, Loch Lomond and beyond.
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The Whangie
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A strange and even haunting rock feature, the Whangie makes an interesting detour from the route and can be accessed from the northern path around Burncrooks Reservoir, as well as the more commonly used (but further off-route) car park to the east. It rewards with the 'Queen's View' towards Loch Lomond.
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Dunglass Hill
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The smallest of our featured hills is the diminutive Dunglass Hill, a volcanic plug that sits beside the route just east of Strathblane. Just a short scramble provides a good vantage point overlooking the route as it heads towards Kirkintilloch.
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Cort-ma Law
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Lying roughly half way along the Campsie Fells, this moorland peak rises steeply above Lennoxtown and can be accessed from the village of Clachan of Campsie, approximately 1.2 km north of the route.
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Croy Hill & Bar Hill (Antonine Wall)
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Both Croy Hill and Bar Hill were the sites of hill forts used by the Romans to guard the Antonine Wall around 140 AD. The John Muir Way links these two ancient sites just 2 km apart, so if you're walking the whole route you can't miss them. However if a shorter walk appeals, it's easy to do a loop using the canal for the return leg, via Auchinstarry marina.
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Arthur's Seat
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The John Muir Way follows the base of this extinct volcano as it skirts Holyrood Park in the east of Edinburgh. It's only 251m high, so it won't take too long to climb and is definitely worth the view over the capital and Firth of Forth.
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North Berwick Law
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This distinctive conical hill is visible from much of the eastern part of the route, which passes along its base in the outskirts of North Berwick. Although it only takes 15-20 minutes to climb, it boasts impressive 360 degree views over the coast, Bass Rock and surrounding countryside.
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