Stage 5: Strachur to Lochgoilhead

1. Start at the point where the Cowal Way crosses the A815 just east of the last houses at Strachur. Follow the minor road towards Strachurmore. At a junction where the road continues to Strachurmore, turn left and continue gently uphill and then through pretty woods. Immediately after the bridge over the river, the road continues to the farm at Succothmore. Here go across the second wooden bridge and through a gate to head up a track. Keep straight on when it meets a larger forestry track. Keep on this main track, ignoring two smaller tracks joining from the right and then left.

2. The track climbs uphill, with more open views in treeless sections. Continue straight ahead at a turning circle and watch for the marker post showing the turn to the left onto another section of forestry track. This track traverses the hillside passing through a large area of felled ground with good views back down the glen.

3. The track eventually peters out at a fork. Continue straight ahead here following small markers for the Cowal Way heading for the gap in the trees next to the stream. There is a faint path for this section. Cross a stream alongside a fence and go through the small gate, cross another small stream, and keep on the faint path heading directly for the stream in the glen and the gap in the trees. Keep on the right side of the stream until past a long waterslide section and then cross and head for a white post up ahead on the left. There are faint ATV tracks to this post. When you reach it turn left to follow a short forest ride up to a stile over the fence.

4. Climb the stile and then follow the faint path (marked with tall white posts at intervals) along the left side of the fence. After rising to, and passing to the left of, the sheep fank at the Bealach an Lochain the ground levels off and eventually Curra Lochain comes into view. Popular with birds and a very peaceful remote spot, Curra means heron, although you are just as likely to see dippers, and diving birds here. Follow the rough path to the head of the loch and then around the left shore where the ground is wet in places. Just before a stand of trees, climb over a rickety stile to reach the outflow of the loch.

5. Cross the Sruth Ban either on the stepping stones or slightly downstream and follow the faint path on the other side downstream and through a broken down fence and keep following the stream. Soon Lochgoilhead can be seen to the left and there are impressive mountain views ahead. The Sruth Ban now forms a series of waterfalls, it is necessary to detour to the right to avoid cliffs. Follow the faint path looking ahead for the white marker posts and after swinging to the right, descend steeply to the bottom of the middle section of waterfall. The path then continues on easier ground to head towards a clearer path straight ahead through a gap in the forestry. This boggy path soon reaches a track.

6. Turn right here to cross the bridge and follow the track. Keep left at a junction and then keep straight on to head downhill, ignoring a path coming in from the left. Soon there are views down over the water and to Lochgoilhead at the end of the loch. As the buildings become clearer, ignore a turning up to the right and continue to the gate for Lettermay forest. At the bottom of the track bear left onto a road which you follow past houses to the main road. Turn left and follow this coastal road past the chalets at Drimsynie. Keep on the main rather than going over the footbridge to the golf course, and then turn right to cross the stone bridge and follow the road to the centre of Lochgoilhead.

Next stage: Lochgoilhead to Arrochar

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