This walk follows a waymarked trail for the outward journey past a gorge and up through forestry to a lochan. The return route follows tracks and paths with excellent views across the sea to the islands and mountains beyond.
Summary
Forest tracks and paths.
Terrain
Users'
rating
1. Park at the Sutherland's Grove forestry walks car park; several shorter waymarked walks and also some cycle trails begin here. Do not cross the stone bridge at its far end but instead begin the walk by following the footpath (waymarked in all colours) that begins next to it, following the stream uphill. The path runs through some picturesque woodland with giant Douglas Firs as well as oak, birch, beech and rowan, and there are some pretty waterfalls in the stream alongside.
2. Soon the stream issues from a small gorge and the fairly rough path runs along the edge giving good views of the tumbling water. A path junction is reached; the blue route continues down some steps ahead to cross the gorge - keep this for the return route and instead turn left uphill following the other markers. The path then immediately forks again; keep to the right, following the green (and red) waymarkers. The path soon runs alongside the now-sedate stream once more.
3. The path reaches a track and a bridge over the stream. Turn right to cross the bridge and then when the track forks on the far side, keep left (following the green waymarker posts - not the green arrows, which indicate a cycle route). The track runs uphill through some monotonous plantation forestry. Keep to the right on the main track at the next junction, and further on ignore another small track on the left with a warning sign. A short distance further an angled cross-roads of tracks is reached; take the leftmost track here which slopes downhill. It soon ends by a bench on the shores of Loch Dubh, with a view to the hills across the loch.
4. Return to the angled cross-roads and go straight across. The track undulates through the forestry to reach a triangular junction after around a kilometre. Turn right here and follow a track gently downhill; the forest on the left has been felled here and the track has a wonderful view across Loch Creran to the mountains of Morven as well as down the loch to the islands. When it meets another track at a junction, turn left.
5. The firs are left behind and replaced by more attractive mixed woodland. After about three hundred metres turn right onto a footpath past a bench - there is a blue waymarker. This passes many fine oak trees; at one point it bends sharply to the right. Ignore a small path off to the left and continue by the blue waymarkers to return to the gorge.
6. Cross the bridge over the gorge; it gives great views of the rocky stream bed. Ascend the steps to rejoin the outward route; turn left to follow the path back downstream to the start.
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