This excellent and well waymarked walk climbs high to the south of the attractive fishing village of Tarbert. It visits the crumbling remains of a medieval castle and enjoys excellent views.
Summary
Good waymarked paths with a fair amount of ascent
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1. From the centre of the beautiful fishing village of Tarbert walk along Harbour Road on the south side of the quay. Turn right up a path signed for the Kintyre Way and Tarbert Castle and climb a series of old stone steps. At the top go through a gate and continue climbing to reach information boards for Tarbert Castle. There are great views back over the harbour.
2. To visit the castle, head up the wooden steps and continue across the old grassy ramparts towards the crumbling keep. The castle dates back to the 13th century although it has been added to over the centuries. After exploring the castle (the keep itself is fenced as it is unsafe) return to the main route and pass through another gate. You are still following the Kintyre Way, which is marked by a series of blue marker posts with the distinctive logo carved on them - each mile is also marked. Where a path branches off to the right keep straight on heading for the next marker post.
3. The path continues on a raised track, keep left again at another junction (a right turn makes a much shorter loop), and at the next junction you can make a short detour for a viewpoint over the entrance to Tarbert harbour and the beach of the White Shores; otherwise continue on the main path. Pass through a wooden motorcycle barrier and continue climbing. A bench is soon reached with further excellent views over Rubha Badan and across to the Cowal peninsula. The well made path now heads inland, crossing a number of small streams on footbridges and climbing to eventually reach a large cairn erected to celebrate the Millennium.
4. Soon the path reaches a wide forestry track. The Kintyre Way heads left here, but for the circular walk you should turn right. The track winds across country; turn off it when a junction is reached with a path descending to the right (although you can follow the white waymarkers ahead to make a longer walk of 8km). The well-constructed path descends slightly and then winds between the hillocks; the white route soon comes back in from the left having made a wide loop. A short distance further on the path reaches a picnic table with a stunning outlook over Tarbert, showing why this is one of the best natural harbours in Western Scotland.
5. When the path reaches a junction with the short red waymarked trail, turn left, and then keep left again at the next junction where the outward route is rejoined. This soon leads back to the information boards close by the Castle; continue ahead to go back down the steps into Tarbert.
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