1 Dalavich Oakwoods Dalavich Oakwood Trail 2 Ardcastle Information A delightful route that explores Dalavich’s ancient Atlantic oakwoods, which are full of mosses, ferns and wildlife and provide great views over Loch Awe. Take care on the hills Explore the ancient Caledonian forest that Choose one of three routes through Contact Forestry Commission Scotland Wide, firm gravel and grassy 2 miles / West Forest District stretches between Loch Awe and Loch Avich on surface with long uneven 3.2 km this thriving forest, winding around Please remember that the weather Whitegates, Lochgilphead, Argyll PA31 8RS trails that loop through the trees from the sections. Some steep slopes. Allow wooded hillsides and along its on the hills can change very quickly. Dalavich Oakwoods car park. You’ll find Parts may be muddy after 1 hour pebble beaches. You can stretch Even in summer, conditions on high Follow us on: Tel: 0300 067 6650 heavy rain. Includes two bridges your legs on the short Crag Trail ground are often much colder and E-mail: [email protected] Discover a landscape carved thundering waterfalls and rapids on a gentle Web: www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland with adjacent fords and some low branches. or while away a few hours on the windier than at low levels, despite clear from rock, cloaked with trees and walk along the River Avich and share a peaceful skies. If you are venturing off our waymarked trails longer Ardcastle Point Trail with its haunted by legend. This is where oakwood sanctuary with red squirrels, red deer onto the higher hills and mountains, here are some and pine martens. views over , also passing pointers for a safe and enjoyable trip. the kingdom of the Scots was born. the ancient ruins of St Bride’s Chapel on the shore of Loch Gair. • Be properly equipped Gaze over breathtaking views, watch iconic • Plan your route carefully and stick to it wildlife, ponder ancient monuments or simply Avich Falls Trail • Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return embrace the tranquillity to be found in the Crag Trail remarkably diverse forests of Mid Argyll & . A lovely riverside trail to reach a series of thundering rapids • Take adequate warm & waterproof clothing at Avich Falls. • Wear suitable footwear A refreshing walk to take in the sights and smells • Take sufficient food and drink Walkers can explore these native and timber- Firm gravel surface with 1½ miles / of the atmospheric spruce forest, which is home • Carry map & compass, know how to use them producing woodlands along waymarked trails, uneven and grassy sections. 2.4 km to both roe and sika deer. • Turn back if it gets too hard for you some shared with cyclists and horse riders. Some steep slopes. Includes Allow • In emergencies call 999 and ask for the POLICE a bridge and a section 1 hour Uneven gravel and 1¼ miles /

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covering Earra-Ghàidheal, tìr-bhreith rìoghachd na h-Alba. slope by the car park. other forests oh in the area A landscape hewn from stone, cloaked in trees, Ardcastle Point Trail and steeped in Gaelic heritage: discover Argyll, Hazel Burn Trail If you need this publication in an birthplace of the Kingdom of Scots. A long circuit of Ardcastle Forest skirting the beautiful shore of Wind through the woods to discover where the burn that Loch Fyne to reach Ardcastle Point and the charming ruins of alternative format, please contact: The Diversity Team flows from Lochan Dubh in the hills above Ardcastle meets an ancient chapel. the shore of Loch Fyne. Tel: 0300 067 5000 Uneven grassy paths with long 5 miles / Email: [email protected] Uneven gravel and grassy 2¾ miles / muddy sections. Short rough, 8 km surface, with some steep 4.4 km narrow path out to Ardcastle Allow Designed by: Design & Interpretative Services, Forestry Commission, Scotland D&IS.10K.21Col.Sept 2017 slopes. Includes some Point. Several steep slopes. 3½ hrs Allow For information on public transport services contact: very muddy sections. 2 hours Mostly wide, with some low branches. Traveline Scotland, 0871 2002233 or You could just sit and watch the falls for ages www.travelinescotland.com © Crown Copyright 2017

3 Glashan 4 Achnabreac 5 Dunardry 6 Crinan Argyll

Stroll through the eastern reaches of the Discover a wonder of prehistory in the heart The forested slopes of offer Unforgettable views across the Sound of Jura Explore The Forests of mighty Kilmichael Forest on a short trail that of these woods – the greatest collection of exhilarating crossings over high gorges, richly reward the steep climb through the trees Enjoy circles through the woodland at the foot of Neolithic rock art in Britain. From the forest stunning hilltop views and pleasant that cloak Knapdale. You can stand among and Mid Argyll the Loch Glashan reservoir. trails you’ll also find inspiring views and strolls through peaceful woodland. the ruins of a medieval dun or stronghold that Discover abundant wildlife. once watched over the waterway far below. Glashan Burn Trail and Kintyre Studying the rock art Green Gate Loop Crinan Trail Circle through pleasant broadleaved woodland around Rock Art Trail Cup and Ring Trail Glashan Burn at the foot of the reservoir’s dam. A gentle wander beneath towering larch and fir Climb steeply through ash, birch and conifers to the ruined Mostly narrow stony path 1 mile / This trail cuts through the forest to visit one of Achnabreac’s Discover some of Scotland’s most trees along the cascades of Dunardry Burn. medieval lookout of Castle Dounie. The crag is a stunning with a stretch on forest road. 1.5 km enigmatic cup and ring marked rocks. There are also great extensive prehistoric rock art. On pulpit overlooking the Sound of Jura and the Inner Hebrides. Long gentle slopes with Allow views over Loch Gilp. the edge of the forest are a series Firm gravel and tarmac ¼ mile / some short steeper sections. ¾ hour of stones carved with cups and rings over 4,000 years ago. surface throughout, with 0.4km Long steep slopes for 600m, 4 miles / Wide, firm and smooth gravel ½ mile / some slightly loose Allow Near to Nature Trail including several sets of rough 6.5 km surface throughout. Some 0.8 km Uneven gravel path, with some 1¼ mile / sections. Moderate slopes. ¼ hour steps. Uneven gravel surface Allow Includes a bridge and a moderate slopes, but plenty of Allow narrow, grassy and potentially 2 km A quirky and exhilarating trail around Dunardry Burn with narrow, grassy and 2½ hours section along the access road. resting places along the way. ¼ hour muddy sections. Some steep Allow gorge, guaranteed to excite all your senses and get rough rocky sections. Some slopes. Includes sections of ¾ hour your pulse racing. parts may be muddy. Dragonfly Trail boardwalk with steps. Look out for vehicles along the forest road. Bardarroch Trail Firm but uneven gravel surface, 1¼ miles / with some narrow sections and 1.9 km A gentle meander around the Walk beneath towering trees in a quiet part of the exposed tree roots. Some steep Allow low-lying wetlands, where you forest overlooking the scenic Crinan Canal. slopes with long sets of uneven ¾ hour can look for waterbirds and stone steps. Includes a few bridges. colourful dragonflies. Mostly firm, wide gravel 2¼ miles / track. Uneven grassy 3.7 km Firm gravel surface section that may Allow Dunardry Trail throughout with some occasionally be muddy. 1¼ hours loose sections. Mostly flat Long moderate slopes with some moderate slopes. Climb steadily to reach the summit of An Cruach Mòr (‘the great for up to 600m with some steeper sections. Includes one section of stack’) for 360o views of the Argyll coast and a magnificent boardwalk and areas One of the bridges on the ‘Near to Nature Trail’ bird’s eye view of Mòine Mhór. that may be wet after rain. Some long steep slopes with 3 miles / ½ mile / uneven stone steps. Generally 4.8 km 0.8 km firm gravel surface, with some Allow Allow uneven and narrow sections. 2 hours ¼ hour Short grassy section at summit may occasionally be wet. 7 Knapdale 8 Torinturk The Forests of

Step into a legendary landscape on a delightful Mid Argyll and Kintyre These native oakwoods are rich with trail that passes a prehistoric tomb named after wildlife. There have been beavers here since a mythical hero and a ruined medieval dun, a Welcome to the forests in the heart of Argyll, 2009. You might spot one at dusk or dawn The clearance village of Arichonan stretching from Loch Awe to Kintyre. Enjoying a rest around Loch Coille-Bharr stronghold reputedly once home to a famous from the Wildlife Trail or the longer Loch hunter and his fearsome black wolfhound. Welcome to the cradle of the Kingdom of the Scots, Coillie-Bharr Trail. You will certainly see full of heritage, history, and natural beauty. evidence of their handiwork – the felled trees, Torinturk Trail ingenious dam and flooded woodland. 1 Dalavich Oakwoods ...... A rugged climb in the footsteps of legendary hunters and fierce creatures. Magnificent views over West Loch Tarbert 2 Ardcastle ...... from the top of Dùn a’ Choin Duibh. 3 Glashan ...... Wildlife Trail Uneven gravel surface with 1¾ miles / some grassy and muddy 2.7 km 4 Achnabreac ...... Stroll through the alder, birch and hazel around picturesque sections. Section of rough, Allow Loch Barnluasgan and look out for beavers, bats and birds narrow earth path up to the 1 hour 5 Dunardry ...... at the wildlife hide. dun. Some long and very steep slopes. 6 Crinan ...... Smooth, firm and generally wide 1 mile / 7 Knapdale ...... gravel surface throughout. A short 1.5 km diversion to the wildlife hide is Allow 8 Torinturk ...... slightly uneven. Mostly flat with ½ hour some short moderate slopes. 9 Tarbert ...... 10 Carradale ......

Barnluasgan Oakwood Trail Loch Coille-Bharr Trail Arichonan Township Trail Bheir coilltean Mheadhan Earra-Ghàidheal agus Chinntìre dhut rogha is taghadh bòidhchead na h-Alba, le lochanan mòra mara Explore the ancient Atlantic oakwoods between Loch A circuit of beautiful Loch Coille-Bharr, surrounded by native A lovely walk through the larch trees to the haunting ruins a’ sìneadh eadar mòintichean is monaidhean. Coilltean-daraich Barnluasgan and Loch Linne. As well as a range of native oakwoods and a great place to look for beavers and otters of a clearance village abandoned in the mid-19th century. àrsaidh, no planntachaidhean ùra, tha iad nan àiteachan-dìona broadleaves, there are great views over Knapdale Forest. at dawn or dusk. Good views down Caol Scotnish. do dh’fhiadh-bheathaichean, nan cuimhneachain air ceithir mìle bliadhna de dh’eachdraidh. Loose gravel path with some Numerous short steep slopes Uneven grassy path, with 1¼ miles / 1½ miles / 3¼ miles / The forests of Mid Argyll and Kintyre offer Scottish scenery at its narrow and uneven rocky with rough steps. Some narrow narrow and muddy sections. 2.1 km 2.6 km 5.1 km very best, where long sea sounds and lochs intertwine with sections. Several steep slopes and rough rocky sections. One long fairly steep slope. Allow Allow Allow moorland and mountain. Ancient oakwoods or modern Key to Maps with long flights of rough Short earth section includes Includes a road crossing 1 hour plantations, they are a sanctuary to wildlife and witness to four 1 hour 2 hours steps. Includes two gates. tree roots and muddy patches. and some exposed tree roots thousand years of history. Includes narrow kissing gates and a road section

Permits for fishing 9 Tarbert 10 Carradale at Loch Awe, Loch Avich and Loch Glashan are available at Climb the hillside on a trail that starts by the From the top of Cnoc nan Gabhar you local hotels and tackle shops ruins of a medieval castle above the can sweep your eye from – pretty fishing port of Tarbert. Norsemen the highest point in Argyll – to the island once hauled their longboats over the of Arran. The trail passes through diverse lowland below. From the higher ground, woodland that is home to abundant wildlife, native broadleaved trees give way to including red, roe and sika deer. heathland and conifers and the views over Relaxing by Tarbert Castle Kintyre are spectacular. Deer Hill Trail

Enjoy an eagle’s eye view over Carradale Bay and Kilbrannan Sound from the rocky summit of Cnoc nan Gabhar. Tarbert Castle Trail Prolonged steep slopes for 3¾ miles / up to 600m. Uneven grassy 5.9 km A charming stroll through bracken and heather with great paths with rough, narrow Allow Fearann mo Rùin Cinn Tìre views over East Loch Tarbert and legendary Tarbert Castle. and muddy sections. 2 ½ hours Neul a’ snàmh air an speur, Wide, uneven grassy surface 1 mile / Duilleach eadar è ’s mo shùil; with sections that may be 1.6 km muddy. Includes some steep Allow Ùr bàrr-uaine gruag a’ bheithe, slopes and a narrow ¾ hour Leug nan leitir cas mun Lùib. kissing gate. bho Do Bheithe Bòidheach, le bàrd an Tairbeirt Deòrsa mac Iain Deòrsa The beautiful Sound of Jura Corranbuie Trail Land of my Love Kintyre Climb across the craggy heath high above Tarbert to Barr Reamhar and the Millennium Cairn. There are fabulous A cloud swimming in the sky, views across Kintyre and Loch Fyne. Foliage between it and my eye; Fresh and green-topped the Long and very steep slopes. 2½ miles / Uneven gravel surface, with 4 km tresses of the birch, some grassy and rough rocky Allow A jewel of the steep slopes sections. Occasional patches 2 hours about Loup. may be muddy. Includes several bridges and some From To a Beautiful Birch Tree, narrow chicanes and kissing gates. by Tarbert poet George Campbell Hay