This very attractive walk climbs to a low ridge, richly forested with ancient oaks and birches, looking out over the scattered lochs and great forests of Knapdale. The route lies within the Scottish Beaver reintroduction trial area.
All abilities path around the loch shores; the oakwood section is steep with many steps but could be omitted.
Bus from Lochgilphead.
Barnluasgan car park.
There is a well-signed Forestry and Land Scotland car park (charge) at Barnluasgan (not the Wildlife Information Centre signed with a beaver sign earlier from the road). Before beginning the walk it is worth visiting the log cabin which has information about the beavers and the forests of the area. This route follows the green waymarked trail at first before finishing on the blue trail on the far side of Loch Barnluasgan. Begin on the clear path which heads to the right hand side of the loch. After a short distance a faint path heads off into the trees on the right - ignore this, and pass the small boat mooring point.
Slightly further on a (waymarked) flight of steps leads up to the right. Turn up these steps, which give a steep, winding climb with good views back over Loch Barnluasgan. The birch trees soon give way to old oaks; at the top of the climb the path begins to run along a fine wooded ridge, with glimpses of Loch Linne down through the fine trees on the right.
Continue along the undulating ridge, eventually climbing slightly to reach a wooden bench with particularly fine views. From here the path heads left and begins the descent. This is marginally less steep than the way up, but still involves several flights of wooden steps. Soon the path passes through a gate in a deer fence and a grand view of Loch Barluasgan opens up ahead. Pass through a second gate as the steps lead back down to the all-abilities path close to the loch shore.
The quickest way back is to turn left but the walk can be slightly extended by turning right and passing round the far side of the loch. Almost immediately there is a wildlife hide overlooking the loch just to the left. Keep on the surfaced path that leads round the loch to return to the car park.
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