This easy-going circuit on forest tracks has excellent views over Loch Ard including the remains of a small crannog. A steep, but short, climb is rewarded with a typical Trossachs view of loch and mountains, especially good in the autumn colours.
Summary
Well graded, waymarked forestry tracks and paths
Terrain
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1. Start from the Kinlochard car park at the far end of Loch Ard. Pass through Kinlochard and just after the white Lochard Cottages and before the end of the public road turn right along a track to the car park. There is an information board and map here. This route follows the green waymarkers. From the car park return to the road and turn right heading along the private road towards the small settlements of Blairhullican and Couligarten. Ignore a turning to the right which is the return path for the blue route which provides an optional extension to this walk later on. Pass the sailing club and continue along the road. There are good views down over Loch Ard from this section.
2. Keep straight on where a track heads down to the left and again keep on the main track to keep right of the houses. After passing an iron-clad house turn left at a signed junction following the green marker posts and the sign for Lochard. The narrow track passes through dense rhododendron as well as native trees before heading through more open ground. Eventually the track passes close to the water at Couligarten Bay.
3. At the next junction, marked with a wooden signpost, turn left to follow the sign for the Crannog. Just before the water is reached, turn right along the track. From here it is possible to head down to the shore for a better view of the crannog. The small artificial island, on which an iron-age round house would have stood, can be seen in the water to the left of the much larger Eilean Gorm. Continue along the track as it keeps above the shoreline of the loch. A seat at the corner makes a good viewpoint.
4. Follow the track round, now with good views along the loch in the opposite direction, until you reach a t-junction. A right turn here would provide a quicker return route if a shortcut is needed, soon rejoining the outward route. But to continue the full walk, turn left and follow the track as it climbs gently uphill, ignoring a turning to the left and instead curving to the right. At the next signed junction turn right. The track passes an area of felled trees and then narrows to become a path which climbs steeply uphill.
5. The climb is rewarded by a fantastic view down Loch Ard, although Ben Venue cannot actually be seen across the Loch as claimed on the well-situated bench, though Ben Lomond to the left is visible, looking magnificent. Turn right along the track. Eventually a vehicle barrier is reached, immediately afterwards turn right along a track marked with both red and green markers.
6. At a fork keep right to head downhill. The left hand fork follow the blue marker posts and can be taken for a longer route back to the start, adding approximately 20 minutes and a climb to a viewpoint, to the walk. If continuing on the green route, follow the track downhill. This soon reaches the point where you turned off earlier in the walk. Continue straight on and retrace your steps along the private road back to Kinlochard.
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