This fourth section of the Cowal Way follows the Garvie Burn through open moorland and then forestry up Strath nan Lub before descending to Glen Branter with its impressive waterfalls before a quiet back road is taken to Strachur.
Summary
Short section of road with no pavement, then forestry tracks, and paths.
Terrain
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1. The previous section of the Cowal Way emerges onto the A866 such south of Stronardron. From here turn right and follow the main road for a short section until Garvie Farmhouse is passed on the left. Immediately after the farmhouse take the Garvie Farm track behind the farmhouse and across the farmyard and then bear right to follow the track onto the open ground. If the farmyard is in use, go through the gate just to the right and then through the next gate to access the track. The track climbs steadily uphill through cattle and sheep grazing land.
Photo
- Richard Webb 
2. Go through a gate and follow the clear track as it winds across the hillside with the Garvie Burn down on the left. As it climbs ignore a track coming in from the right and continue straight ahead. A little further on a short track leads down to the left, stay on the main track and cross a burn on a concrete bridge. Eventually a stile and gate are reached, go through the gate and continue on the track which passes a waterfall on the left which is partly obscured by the trees.
Photo
- Richard Webb
3. This section is mainly in forestry, although recent felling means the area to the left of the track is often clear giving better views down over the burn. 2 km after the stile, a crossroads is reached. Do not cross the bridge but continue straight ahead. When a track joins from the left keep straight ahead with pine trees of different ages on both sides of the track now. After climbing to the highest point, the track starts to descend gently, ignore a track from the left and follow the main track which makes a sharp curve round to the left at one point and then a curves back right.
Photo
- Richard Webb
4. Eventually the trees get bigger with any views over Glen Branter to the left now obscured. Look out for a sharp turn to the left. This is waymarked for the Cowal Way and takes the route into Glen Branter to appreciate the waterfalls here. The way ahead on the main track is signed for a bike route. Follow the grass and mossy track downhill through tall pines. When the ground levels off (and is often muddy here) look carefully for a narrow path turning to the right through the trees. It does have a Cowal Way marker but this is hard to see from this direction. The path leads steeply downhill through the trees bearing left and then right before emerging at the waterfalls walk where there is a fence. Turn left to follow the path down steps and across a bridge with a good view of the rocks and cascades on the Allt Robuic.
5. Follow the built walkway as it climbs steps and crosses the steep side of Glen Branter with a couple of little bridges, a viewing area for a long waterfall, and fencing to keep you on the path. At a junction ignore steps up to a track but stay on the path which is signed for the Disabled Car Park. This heads downhill, from the parking area follow the track bearing left to pass a group of cottages. The track runs alongside the river and then meets another track from the left. Keep right following the river and ignore the small track coming over the stone bridge. Keep following this road which passes the Glenbranter Information Centre on the left. Ignore the turning up to the left which leads to the forest car park, and follow the road behind the forestry houses. When the road is met at Bridgend, turn left and follow this minor road for 4 km to where it meets the A815 at the end of this section of the Cowal Way. The village of Strachur is to the left; the centre is reached via a horseshoe road on the north side of the A815 but there is further accommodation a kilometre further on the shores of Loch Fyne.
Next stage: Strachur to Lochgoilhead
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