Rassal Ashwood is a National Nature Reserve and the most northerly ash woodland in Britain; the wood is at least 6000 years old. This short walk makes a circuit around the reserve using grassy clearings through the trees.
Summary
The route is mostly grassy but very indistinct and soggy in places.
Terrain
NG841433
Grid ref
2km/1.25 miles
Distance
Grade
Small parking area on east side of A896 half way between the two 'National Nature Reserve' signs.
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1. Park on the east side of the A896 just north of where a track leaves it also to the east. You should be able to see the information boards at the gate in the fence about 100 metres away. Walk across to this gate - the board gives details of the walk. Go through the gate and follow the paint grassy path to the right, which leads into the ash woodland. There are many wild flowers here in the spring.
2. Continue up the somewhat muddy path. The wooden stakes are unfortunately not waymarkers - they are transect markers for ecologists studying the habitat. The path reaches a t-junction with another faint grassy path after a short distance, near the telephone cables. The route is a loop from here; take the right branch first, which heads uphill and then winds to and fro amongst the trees - the path is very faint but it is possible to follow it if care is taken. When you see a gate ahead in a fence, don't head for it but follow the path which bends left before swinging back right. You'll soon be close to the fence at the top of the reserve; the path heads left again here, with a view of Beinn Damh ahead.
3. After a very boggy section the path begins to wind back downhill. It keeps just right of the inner fenced area in the centre of the reserve, and then heads over to the right, reaching the boundary fence. When close to the telephone cables, find the path heading left which returns you to the junction reached earlier. Turn right here to head back down to the start.
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