Argyll Forest Park - Forestry Commission Scotland

Tel: 01877 382383
Email: cowal&[email protected]
Designed by Design & Interpretive Services, Forestry Commission Scotland - D&IS-5K-AL-March 2014
Text written by Steve Farrar. Photography Forestry Commission Picture Library unless otherwise stated.
These pretty woods nestle above the pass
through which warlike Norsemen once
land-hauled their longships from Loch Long
to Loch Lomond. Today, the secluded hillside
is perfect for finding some peace.
Web: www.forestry.gov.uk/argyllforestpark
Public enquiry line: 0845 3673787
© Crown copyright and database right [2014]. All rights reserved.
Ordnance Survey Licence number [100021242].
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Contact Forestry Commission Scotland,
Cowal & Trossachs Forest District
Aberfoyle, Stirling, FK8 3UX
Cruach Tairbeirt
Explore Scotland’s Forest Parks:
1. Glenmore
4. Argyll
2. Tay 5. Tweed Valley
3. Queen Elizabeth
6. Galloway
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Ardgartan
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Lochgoilhead
At the head of Loch Goil, explore pretty
woodland where the beautiful Donich Falls
are framed by towering conifers and join
generations of travellers passing along the
old Duke’s Path.
Where the lively Croe Water washes the foot of the Cobbler is a dramatic
landscape that has attracted travellers for centuries. Make your own journey
along the tree-lined river as it tumbles towards Loch Long. Salmon swim in its
water while otter play where it meets the loch. Each spring, the Croe Water’s
banks are draped with swathes of bluebells.
Glen Donich Trail
On a bike, you can follow the challenging, 20-mile (32km) Ardgartan Peninsula
Circuit, the more moderate 7-mile (11km) Ardgartan Shore and Coilessan Glen
route or the short but sweet 5-mile (8km) Cat Craig Loop.
Experience the Donich Falls and follow an ancient
Argyll road.
The route is mostly firm,
single-track path with forest
road and some steep steps.
2½ miles / 4 km
Allow 1½ hours
Tom a’ Chluig Trail
Ardgarta
Cruach Tairbeirt Trail
Some steep sections but more
moderate as the trail follows
forest roads and part of a
public road.
A gentle route along the Croe Water through
broadleaved trees to Loch Long.
The trail is mostly on Tarmac
and forest road with some
narrow track sections, level
with a few moderate slopes
and steps.
2 miles / 3.2 km
Allow 1 hour
Arrochar Trail
3½ miles / 5.6 km
Allow 2 hours
Argyll
Forest
Park
1¼ miles / 2 km
Allow ½ hour
Boat House Trail
Pass through attractive woodland for views of the three
fanged Cobbler, Beinn Narnain and A’ Chrois in the
Arrochar Alps.
The trail is on forest road
and well-compacted single
tracks with moderate slopes
and a few steps.
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Riverside Trail
Climb the hillside above Tarbet village through charming
mixed woodland to reach high conifers and forest glens.
A route on forest road and
well-compacted single track
with moderate slopes and
a few steps.
tishview
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n, Loch Lo
A trail that rises above the trees for great views from
Tom a’ Chluig hill.
Loch Lomond & The Tr
Trossachs
ossachs National Park
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A peaceful walk that leaves the Riverside trail to
snake above Loch Long.
A trail on forest road,
narrow track and Tarmac
that is mostly level with
one short, steep slope.
2 miles / 3.2 km
Allow 1 hour
For information on public transport services contact:
Traveline Scotland, 0871 2002233 or
www.travelinescotland.com
1¾ miles / 3 km
Allow 1 hour
© Crown Copyright 2014
Map Key and Trail Grades
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Welcome to
Argyll Forest Park
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Discover this beautiful, tree-cloaked
corner of Scotland to walk, ride and relax in
Britain’s oldest forest park.
Trobhad is cuir eòlas air cuairtean-coille a’
cheàrnaidh àlainn seo den Ghàidhealtachd.
Air chois no air rothar: tha an roghainn agadsa!
Today, you can explore Cowal’s most inspiring
woodlands on a network of well-managed trails.
In this Highland landscape of mountain and glen,
forest and water, you can discover
breathtaking views, picnic by peaceful lochs,
reflect on unique Gaelic
heritage and find
exhilarating
challenges
on your bike.
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6
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You will encounter some of the
biggest trees in Britain here.
Conifers especially love Cowal,
with its cool, moist climate and
long summer days. There are also
many native woods, rich with oak,
birch, alder and willow.
Iconic Highland wildlife thrives here. Red squirrels
are common while red and roe deer roam among
the trees. If you are lucky, you might glimpse otters
playing or golden eagles
flying overhead.
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Forestry Commission Scotland trails are graded
according to the degree of difficulty, gradients
and type of conditions visitors can expect.
All access
Sensible
footwear
Easy
Sensible
footwear
Moderate
Waterproof
footwear
Strenuous
Hillwalking
boots
All ability
Easy paths
and terrain
Easy
Muscle
loosener
Moderate
Muscle
stretcher
Strenuous
Muscle
builder
All access
Sensible
footwear
All ability
Easy paths
and terrain
Easy
Sensible
footwear
Easy
Muscle
loosener
Moderate
Sensible
footwear
Moderate
Muscle
stretcher
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Take care on the hills
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Please remember that the weather on the
hills can
change very
quickly. Even in summer,
Strenuous
Strenuous
Muscleof hills are often much
Hillwalking
conditions
on
the
tops
builder
boots
colder and windier than at low levels,
despite clear skies.
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Glenbranter
Discover spectacular waterfalls in the
lush Allt Robuic gorge, towering conifers
and views over Loch Eck in this stunning
woodland. The estate was once
owned by music hall star Sir Harry
Lauder, who sold it to the
Forestry Commission in 1921.
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Take your bike around the 22-mile
(35km) Loch Eck Loop, which includes
some very steep slopes, or the more
family-friendly 6.75-mile (11km)
Glenshellish Loop.
Broadleaves Trail
Ardentinny
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Explore stunning woodland on routes once the preserve of Ardentinny’s
foresters who nurtured seedlings here. The beach is washed by the waters of
Loch Long, familiar to Viking fleets, Gaelic raiders, wartime Commando assault
boats and nuclear submarines. A 4.75-mile (7.6km) path leads to Carrick Castle.
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A broad, level route on a firm
surface and some
Tarmac sections.
Laird’s Trail
Eucalyptus Trail
Visit some guests from Down Under and, on a warm
day, the wonderful aroma will transport you to the
Australian bush.
Encounter redwoods from California and monkey puzzles
from South America on the hillside.
A broad path that snakes
up the hillside with long,
steep sections on a firm,
sometimes uneven surface,
with stretches of Tarmac
and forest road.
¾ mile / 1.2 km
Allow ¾ hour
John Jackson Trail
An easy stroll taking in pines, ornamental maples and
horse chestnuts.
½ mile / 0.5 km
Allow ½ hour
Dìreach bho chionn ghoirid, b’ i sgìre
Ghàidhlig dha-rìribh a bh’ ann an
Comhghall, loma-làn de sgeulachdan,
òrain, is eachdraidh, is gun e achceum
beag bìodach bho ùpraid a’ bhaile mhòir.
Just a short time ago Cowal was a truly
Gaelic district, brimful of stories, songs,
and history, and just a little step from the
uproar of the city.
1¾ miles / 2.8 km
Allow 1 hour
A more challenging hillside route is rewarded with
spectacular panoramic views over Dunoon to the Clyde
and Loch Long.
3 miles / 4.8 km
Allow 2½ hours
Clyde View Trail
This route follows the
contours of Kilbride Hill for
great views over Dunoon
and the Clyde.
Some steep slopes on
forest roads and narrow
paths with occasional
loose material.
Pass through native woodland and conifers for stunning
views over the Kyles of Bute, Arran and, on a clear day,
Kintyre and Jura.
This circular route is on
well-compacted single track
with occasional steep slopes.
1¼ miles / 2 km
Allow ¾ hour
Chinese Ponds Trail
Beyond young birch woods discover fabulous ponds and
arched bridges built to mimic scenes on willow pattern crockery.
Follow firmly-surfaced single
track and forest road with
moderate slopes, steep in places.
2¼ miles / 3.6 km
Allow 1¼ hours
Clyde viewpoint
1½ miles / 2.4 km
Allow 1½ hours
1¾ miles / 2.7 km
Allow 1½ hours
2¼ miles / 3.4 km
Allow 1¾ hours
Ardyne
Enjoy exceptional views to the
Western Isles and some surprising
oriental scenery. A cycle trail links
Ardyne with the Corlarach car park.
Balgaidh Burn Trail
Steep slopes in places and
some loose material on narrow
paths and forest roads.
3¼ miles / 5 km
Allow 2 hours
A satisfying climb through mature conifers with
lovely views.
2 miles / 3 km
Allow 1¾ hours
Look down over Dunoon, the capital of Cowal, from this network of hillside
paths. There are unforgettable, panoramic views of the Firth of Clyde
coast. Remains of old farms survive among the trees that provide
shelter for abundant wildlife.
A gentle trail that is mostly on
forest road with some
well-surfaced,
narrow paths.
A pleasant circular walk through mature conifers
with great views that links Benmore with Puck’s Glen.
Eckford House Trail
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Meander through young conifers for views
over Dunoon and the Clyde.
Conifer Trail
1¼ miles / 2.1 km
Allow 1 hour
Black Gates Trail
The route has short, steep
slopes, flights of steps,
narrow, rock-cut sections
and wooden bridges with
some unprotected edges
and uneven surfaces that
are occasionally slippery.
½ miles / 1 km
Allow 40mins
Corlarach
Berry Burn Trail
A broad path up the hillside
with long, steep sections on
uneven surfaces.
An evocative, magical trail along a narrow gorge
with many waterfalls.
1 miles / 1.5 km
Allow ¾ hour
Ardyne Trail
1 mile / 1.6 km
Allow ¾ hour
An engaging route that rises among towering trees
with good views.
Puck’s Glen Gorge Trail
An interesting route that follows the shoreline, climbs
a forested hillside and loops above a lively burn.
A broad although occasionally
narrow trail, mostly on forest
roads with short, steep slopes
on gravel. Single track by
the shore.
Big Tree Trail
A broad trail on a firm
surface with stretches of
forest road and Tarmac.
Moderate slopes and some
steep steps.
A route along the River Finnart that is particularly
impressive when bejewelled with spring flowers.
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twild
2 miles / 3.1 km
Allow 1½ hours
Kilmun
The gravel path is wide and flat
at first and has a seat. The full
circular route includes a steeper
and rougher section.
Discover a magical trail through Puck’s Glen,
a deep, woodland gorge with acascade of
enchanting waterfalls. At nearby Benmore,
walk under mighty conifers,
including Californian redwood,
and marvel at the blooming
rhododendrons in May and
early June.
Take your bike on the 22-mile
(35km) Loch Eck Loop.
Riverside Trail
A route that follows forest road and
sometimes narrow paths on mostly
gentle slopes with a
few short, steep
sections and steps.
Its gravel surface is
occasionally loose
2 miles / 3 km
and muddy.
Allow 1¼ hours
This gravel and grass path
includes a long steep section
and can be slippery when wet.
eas
A trail on forest road and
firm, single-track paths with
short, moderate slopes and
some steps.
The trail visits the Allt Robuic gorge with its
many waterfalls and pockets of ancient
oakwood.
The gravel path has some short,
moderate slopes and rougher
sections.
Puck’s Glen
A pleasant walk through native birchwood that
passes below pretty crags.
Waterfall Trail
Wander the woodlands of the world in
this remarkable hillside arboretum. Since
the 1930s, hundreds of species have been
planted here to test their worth as timber
producers. Many thrived – see for yourself
as you explore Kilmun’s well-maintained
paths. In the summer heat, the
different scents
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Birchwood Trail
A route with impressive views to Beinn
Lagan, passing through pleasant, mature
woodland.
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¾ miles / 1.3 km
Allow ½ hour
Gleneck Trail Trail
A short, steep start
and long, moderate
slopes on forest road
and narrow, firm
paths that have
some loose gravel.
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Forest road and
narrower paths with
short, steep sections
on gravel.
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This route goes through native woodland
planted for the old estate, with great views
towards Loch Eck.
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Benmore &
Rise above the Chinese Ponds Trail
to reach a secluded forest with
wonderful views of the Clyde coast.
A well-compacted, single track
and forest road that is mostly
moderate but occasionally steep.
2 miles / 3.2 km
Allow 1½ hours
Cladaichean àlainn no bruaichean
casa nam beann? Ceumannan socair
sìmplidh no cuairtean-rothair cama
cruaidhe? Gheibh thu sgrìob anns
na coilltean a fhreagras ort. Siuthad,
gabh cuairt!
Lovely shorelines or steep
mountainsides? Easy paths or
challenging cycle-tracks? You’ll find
something to suit you in the forests.
Go on and take a trail!