Craigmead car park up West Lomond: route map, distance and time
522 m · Central Scotland from Dumbarton to Montrose · OS grid NO197066
West Lomond is the 522m high point of the Lomond Hills and the county top of Fife, a short climb from Craigmead with views across the Forth.
A broad path crosses open moorland and climbs the steep grassy cone to the trig pillar.
Craigmead car park at a glance
| Distance | 4.0 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 276 m |
| Time up | 1h 15m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 5m, down the same way |
| Grade | Easy |
| Start | Craigmead car park (Falkland to Leslie road) |
| Start grid reference | NO 227 061 |
| Summit grid reference | NO197066 |
Craigmead car park map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Craigmead car park takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 0m | 1h 40m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 15m | 2h 5m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 35m | 2h 35m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:05. Start by 15:00 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 5m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:53, sunset 18:02. Start by 14:57 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 5m for the walk and an hour for stops.
West Lomond summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Mainly clear, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -4°C, summit wind 7 mph gusting 12 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:05.
-
Good Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Fog, up to 9°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 18 mph gusting 23 mph, 4% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:53, sunset 18:02.
Best day of the next seven for Craigmead car park: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 12 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour West Lomond forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb West Lomond?
Before you go, also check: MWIS West Highlands forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -4°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- Microspikes for icy paths. In snow, an ice axe and crampons and the skills to use them.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About West Lomond
West Lomond is the 522m high point of the Lomond Hills and the county top of Fife, a short climb from Craigmead with views across the Forth. More about West Lomond, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Marilyn, historic county top, county top.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Bishop Hill (461 m), 2.6 km south-west
Challenges that include West Lomond
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NO 227 061, the summit at NO197066), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Craigmead car park: questions and answers
How far is Craigmead car park?
Craigmead car park is 4.0 km one way to the summit of West Lomond, with 276 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 8.0 km.
How long does Craigmead car park take?
About 1h 15m to the summit of West Lomond and 2h 5m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 2h 35m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Craigmead car park?
Craigmead car park starts from Craigmead car park (Falkland to Leslie road). The grid reference is NO 227 061.
Is Craigmead car park suitable for beginners?
Yes. Peakify grades it Easy: a fit beginner can walk it on a clear day. Take a map, warm layers and waterproofs all the same.
What time should I start Craigmead car park today?
By 15:00 at the latest. Sunset on West Lomond today is 18:05, Craigmead car park takes about 2h 5m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Craigmead car park?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).