This enjoyable waymarked walk climbs through birchwoods in the most southerly part of Cowal. It gives good views over the Isle of Bute, the Cumbraes and the Firth of Clyde, and visits the Chinese Ponds - part of a seemingly forgotten Oriental garden.
Bog Factor
Waymarked forest paths and tracks.
Ardyne forestry car park.
Infrequent bus service.
NS112690
The walk begins from the forest car park at Ardyne. As well as this walk, waymarked in yellow, this is the start point for the long Corlarach Loop which is intended for mountain bikers. Begin the walk along the wide path heading north; when it reaches a fork, turn left - the route from the right is the way back.
This area is now planted with thriving native birch trees. Ignore a path off left that links to the road. When the path reaches a broader one, turn left, then after 150m take a path that climbs off to the right. The path now climbs more steeply and there are the first views over towards the Isle of Bute.
The path eventually reaches a junction. You can shortcut back from here by turning right, but our route heads left, climbing up to reach a forestry track. Turn right along the track which slopes downhill and gives a wonderful view ahead of the Firth of Clyde, with Great Cumbrae on the left and the Isle of Bute on the right, as well as the mountains of Arran beyond.
The track reaches a junction with a path - turn right here to begin the descent. Keep following the markers, keeping right at the next junction to reach another junction with a picnic table. The path continues straight ahead here but it is worth making a detour left to visit the Chinese Ponds. The path to them soon forks - take the right branch to pass a large pond, then turn left to cross over two ornamental stone bridges before turning right again to return to the junction with the bench. The ponds were built for the supply of Toward Castle in Victorian times, which at that time included a heated swimming pool.
Back on the waymarked route, continue downhill to the next junction, following the markers to the right. Go straight ahead at the cross-roads; the path soon reaches the fork near the very start of the walk. Turn left here to return to the car park.
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