Dalavich has some fine remnant oakwoods overlooking Loch Awe. There are a number of trails here; this is the longest, climbing through the oaks into the commercial forest to visit Loch Avich.
Summary
Waymarked paths throughout, muddy in places
Terrain
NM969139
Grid ref
8km/5 miles
Distance
Grade
Barnaline Forest car park, by Dalavich
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1. Park at the Barnaline car park. This route is warmarked in yellow; begin along the signed path that heads past some oak trees and then through an area where most of the trees have been felled. This area was planted with exotic Sitka spruces but these have been removed to allow expansion of the native oaks. Ignore a path coming in from the left and follow the trail, heading through a small gate.
2. Once through the gate turn right along the track. This ascends through the beautiful woods to reach a large white stable building. This is open and full of interpretative displays to help you find out more about the forest.
3. Continue up the trail past a ruined house and climbing up through the trees. The extra height gives some good views down to Loch Awe. At the top of the climb a junction is reached; turn right here as signed for 'Loch Avich'. The path climbs past the wall and reaches a large forestry track. Turn left along this; you've now left the oakwoods behind and are in the commercial forest – the closely planted exotic trees support much less wildlife. When the track reaches a junction, continue straight ahead, ignoring the bigger track that bends sharply right.
4. When a waymarker post indicates a viewpoint off to the left it is worth making the very short detour. Here a picnic table has a great outlook over Loch Awe. Return to the track and continue along it, keeping to the right when it forks. A short distance further a sign indicates a path climbing off to the right; leave the track here and follow the path, which leads much more pleasantly through areas planted more recently.
Photo ©Patrick Mackie, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
5. The path undulates through a strangely bleak yet man-made landscape of small trees, geometric blocks of mature conifers and empty moorland. When it meets a track, go straight across. Beyond the path descends a little and reaches the shores of Loch Avich by a fisherman's hut. The path now turns right and an excellent section follows along the lochside, fringed with birches. Continue, passing a picnic bench, to reach the exit stream issuing from the loch.
6. The loch is left behind here as the path descends through the trees, close to the stream at first, before passing through some very densely-planted conifers. Descend to reach a track and turn left along this, with a view towards the Loch Avich Falls over to the left. The track soon leads back to the start.
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