Ardentinny is a forestry village on the western shore of Loch Long. This scenic route links several of the waymarked trails from the Forestry car park, with some good views as well as the chance to spot forest birds and red squirrels from a wildlife hide. The route can be shortened or made easier by using different combinations of trails.
Summary
Good waymarked paths throughout. The Red trail has a steep climb, the Yellow trail a more gentle one. The Blue trail is broader and could be suitable for all-terrain pushchairs.
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Regular bus service from Dunoon; the walk passes the bus stop in the village.
Open Traveline Scotland
Public transport
1. Begin at the large Forestry Commission car park at the north end of the Finart Bay. There are several waymarked trails here; this route links the red, blue and yellow routes to make a more substantial walk; it could be made easier by omitting the red route with its steep ascent. Begin by walking to the very far end of the car park, past the picnic tables with their beautiful outlook over pebbly Finart Bay. Here a post indicates the start of the red-waymarked Birchwood walk.
2. Almost immediately the walk heads up a flight of steps to the left; before heading this way it is worth continuing to the end of the broad path to reach a viewpoint where a fenced area looks over the white rocks on the shore towards the vast Coulport development on Loch Long; Coulport is a servicing and storage area for Trident, the UK's nuclear missile deterrent - a reminder that not all is as peaceful in the world as this lovely spot.
3. Return to the steps and head up the first flight; do not cross the bridge and continue up the steps (this leads to the white waymarked route and also the through path to Carrick Castle), instead continuing straight ahead on the near side of the tiny burn - the next red waymarker post is hiding behind a tree. Pass around the back of a fenced storage area, bearing right to begin the climb. The path swings left for the steepest section before curving right again with glimpses through the trees of the view down the loch and across the bay. At length the path emerges on a forestry track; bear right onto this over a small stone bridge. When the track forks leave it completely, turning left by an information board to begin the blue route (the Discovery Trail).
4. This area was overtaken by invasive rhododendrons but great efforts have been made to restore the deciduous woodland. The Blue route is the easiest section of the walk, the broad path being bordered by a handrail. It soon leads to a wooden wildlife hide, just to the left. Feeders are kept stocked in front of the hide making this a great place to watch Coal, Great and Blue Tits as well as red squirrels. The patient may be rewarded with a sighting of a woodpecker or a roe deer. Immediately after the hide the trail forks; from here the blue route is a loop. Take the left branch first and continue through the fine woodland until a path junction by a bench. Turn right here to follower the higher path back to the junction near the hide. Continue straight ahead to return to the track and follow it downhill to return to the Forestry car park by a wooden Eagle sculpture.
5. The walk can be cut short by ending here, but if you wish to continue you can now follow the Yellow trail, the 'Laird's route'. Turn right to follow the entrance road away from the car park and over the bridge. On the far side the road swings right, a track goes straight ahead and a path forks left - take the leftmost path. This leads round the back of Finart Bay; part way round there are some benches enabling a leisurely appreciation of the superb views. At the far end ignore the turning on the right to the forestry houses and instead follow the track ahead. It emerges on the road in Ardentinny by the bus stop.
6. Head directly across the road into the car park opposite. At the far end of the car park by the recycling bins take the obvious footpath ahead. This runs alongside a stream through fine woodland at first before climbing up into the forestry. When it emerges on a forest track turn right along it. The track soon passes a fenced memorial stone (to one Archibald Douglas) - it is worth detouring to the far side of the memorial to reach a bench with a more open view over the bay. Return to the track and continue along it, now downhill, to reach the road. Go straight ahead along the road before turning right onto the next track (still following the yellow waymarkers). The track crosses the fields below the Glenfinart caravan park and the derelict remains of Glenfinart House. Continue ahead on the track, passing a bungalow, to once again reach the bridge near the entrance to the Forestry car park. If you still haven't had enough, you can follow the very short Green waymarked route which heads upriver and returns down the far bank; otherwise continue straight ahead to return to the start.
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