1. Start from the car park at the back of Crinan Harbour. A path leads up through the woods from the far end of the car park. Follow this uphill and alongside a stone wall. Pass a small gate to the back of a large house and keep to the right of a wall here as the path climbs uphill. Soon the path comes down again to the entrance of the house, turn right to reach the road where you turn left to head downhill towards the sea. Pass the boatyard and then the impressive Crinan Hotel to reach the locks and canal basin at Crinan.

2. Here cross the locks and follow the towpath keeping on the seaward side of the canal. The Crinan Canal was opened in 1801 to stop shipping having to navigate the long and treacherous waters around the Mull of Kintyre. As well as cargo, the canal had become popular with holidaymakers by the late 1880's and then the famous Clyde puffers plied the waters between the early 1900s and the 1960s. Today the canal is used chiefly for tourism and leisure. Follow the towpath passing a number of wide passing places on the canal.

3. Further on the small island of Eilean Glas can be seen out to see and depending on the state of the tide, great sand spits lie uncovered on this section. As the canal bends round to the right the land straight ahead that looks like an island is actually part of the mainland, Crinan Ferry. Eventually you reach a small cottage at a swing bridge. The entrance to the river here is popular with fisherman who can often be seen up to their chests in the deep water. Cross the swing bridge and turn left.

4. Almost immediately a path leaves to the right to head uphill through the trees. This section of path has more up and down and is rougher than the towpath although it is pleasant and has lovely views. It can be avoided by continuing on the road and then turning right at the next junction and keeping left at the following junction to return to Crinan Harbour. If following the woodland path, climb through the knarled trees and then follow the clear path as it dips to a grassy area and then climbs again.

5. There are good views through the trees to the water. At a T junction there is a short detour to a viewpoint to the right, otherwise keep on the left hand path. Pass a bench with a good view and follow the path as it goes along a ridge heading inland and then descends and curves back to the right. Cross a grassy area, keeping straight ahead at a small crossroads. Soon the path reaches a minor road at a wooden sculpture.

6. Turn right along the road. Just before you reach the house with the red tin roof turn left along a marked path. Keep right at a junction and soon the path descends to the canal locks at Crinan. Cross the first lock and then turn left and cross the main locks leading out to sea. From here retrace your steps turning right to pass the hotel and boatyard and then turning right before a bungalow towards the entrance to Fernfield. Follow the path to the left of the gate which returns you to the car park at the start of the walk.

Have you found an error or is any information wrong or missing?

Please let us know by using the error report form.

Quick links:
Inveraray Hotels
Inveraray B&B
Inveraray cottages
Argyll hostels