Salen Oakwoods
ARDNAMURCHAN AND THE ROAD TO THE ISLES
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1. There is parking for several cars on the south side of the A861 just south of the junction with the B8007. There are information boards here giving information on the ancient oakwoods that surround the shores of Loch Sunart; these are amongst the few surrounding remnants of the so called 'temperate rain forest' that once clothed Europe's Atlantic coast, and sustain a huge array of wildlife. There is a picnic bench by the parking that enjoys a wonderful view down to Loch Sunart and across the bay to the houses of Salen.
2. The walk begins by heading into the oakwoods beside the marker post. The knarled and twisted trunks of the trees are clothed with mosses and lichens – the sign of clean air. The delightful path heads through a gate and keeps fairly close to the road at first; a little futher on a fork is reached. The walk from this point is a circuit; take the left branch first. This climbs a little uphill. There are posts giving information on the the trees, which include elm, willow, hazel, birch and holly as well as oaks; each tree represents a different letter in the Gaelic alphabet.
3. The path eventually swings right and heads downhill. There are grand views between the trees out over the waters of Loch Sunart as the route bends right again to begin heading back. Soon it reaches the junction where you forked left earlier; keep straight on here this time.
4. The path heads back through the woods to the gate and returns to the starting car park. If you are looking to extend the route, there is also a waymarked trail on the other side of the A861 that visits little Loch na Duanaich, which is well worth doing as well.
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Ardnamurchan and the Road to the Isles Hotels and Inns
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Fort William, Lochaber and Glencoe hostels
