Kintyre Way Stage 5: Carradale to Campbeltown

Summary

A long stage of the Kintyre Way combining an exciting coastal section, farmland paths, extensive forestry tracks, picturesque Loch Lussa and finally a long section of minor road for the final descent to Campbeltown. NOTE: The first section can be impassable at very high tides - use the A83 instead.

Grade

Bog Factor

2.5/5

Rating

Terrain

There is a very rough shore section between Waterfoot and Dippen Bay which could be impassable at very high tide and can be avoided by following the road. Otherwise the stage follows paths, minor roads and well-made forestry tracks.

Getting there

Start

Carradale.

Public Transport

There is a bus service between Carradale and Campbeltown.

Start Grid Ref

NR811382

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 33.5km / 20.75 miles
Time: 8 - 10 hours
Ascent: 815m (Profile)

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Explorer 356 - Kintyre South

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

Begin by following the road west out of Carradale, turning right onto the track at Port na Storm car park. Follow the track waymarked in red, ignoring the gate into a field on the right. When it reaches a signposted t-junction, turn left (signed Deer Hill walk) and head through the gate. The track curves round the lower slopes with glimpses through the trees of Carradale Bay. Look out for a path on the left, following this down to the Network Centre. Continue past the cafe and go straight across the tarmac road onto the track opposite. Follow it downhill, soon turning right onto (signed Sally's Walk) which leads to Waterfoot. Cross a small bridge and turn right at a junction. When you reach the road turn left down to the stone bridge. Immediately after the bridge turn left past the farm. Keep straight ahead where a road leaves to the left and continue past the houses at the water's edge.

Stage 2

After the final house follow the track through rhododendrons and past a gate to reach the shore. Cross the small bay and then follow the coast keeping close to the cliffs and looking out for the blue marker posts. This section requires a bit of rock hopping which can be slippery so take care. It is also impassable in very high tides or during storms - in these situations do not risk the 20 minute section of coast but go round on the main road instead. After a stretch of salt marsh and then another rocky section under the steep cliffs, there is another grassy section with big jagged rocks. Pass between these rocks and then on the outward side of the last one to scramble over more rocks before picking up the path on the shore at Dippen Bay. Half way along the bay, after a wooden fence, turn right to head inland. Once on the grassy clifftop bear left following the marker posts.

Stage 3

Before the first house turn right to head across the field to a stile onto the road. Turn left to follow the road towards Saddell. Once past the grand stables for Torrisdale Castle turn right near to a bungalow onto a track between stone gateposts. The track slopes downhill; keep left at the fork (note the ancient graveyard a little further on the right) and then cross the humpback stone bridge with Torrisdale Castle visible above. Follow the track round to the left, and at the junction turn right. At the next corner turn left to head up the glen to Lephincorrach. At the buildings turn left and then right to pass open barns and then go through the farm gate ahead to head up the glen following a wide track uphill ascending via zig-zags at one point.

Stage 4

When the track forks the official Kintyre Way route continues on the main track uphill through a gate and then diverts onto a path through the trees on the right - alternatively you can take the left fork to head down towards the Lephincorrach Burn and up the bank where it rejoins the Kintyre Way to follow the path alongside the burn before crossing a wooden footbridge and climbs up through an area of felled ground on the east flank of Cnocmalavilach. Turn left at the forestry track to head around the hill, fork left after a downhill section and as it climbs to an open area keep an eye out for a signed path to the right.

Stage 5

After descending through an aea of young fir trees, go through a sliding wooden gate onto grazing land and continue ahead, the path becomes less distinct as it keeps to the right of gorse bushes and then aims left to pick up an earth track, crossing a tiny burn. Go through a farm gate and keep right to skirt the edge of the field passing a picnic table and following an earth track to reach the track near Ifferdale Farm (Bunkhouse to the left). Turn right on the main track up the Saddell Glen, passing Ifferdale Cottage and an outdoor classroom. Keep straight ahead to follow the track into forestry plantations. The track loops around the Ifferdale Burn to cut back east, bearing right at a fork and eventually climbing (with good views to Arran for a short while) to reach another junction; turn right here.

Stage 6

The track climbs steadily with some open views and another fork is reached at a pass; this time, keep left. The track now begins to descent into the glen of the Bordadubh Water. Ignore a track coming in from the left and continue ahead, climbing briefly before descending once more, with Lussa Loch in view ahead. Keep straight on (ignoring a track up to the right) to reach a junction and again go straight ahead here. The woodland on the left was planted in memory of Hughie MacMillan who was brought up here when the area was a hillfarm; he worked for the Forestry Commission for most of his life and died here.

Stage 7

Keep left to cross the bridge over the burn feeding the loch and keep left again onto a smaller track when the track forks. Follow the track which keeps above the shores of Lussa Loch, the largest sheet of freshwater in Kintyre and a good place to look for ospreys or listen for cukoos in spring/summer. The loch was created when a reservoir was built in the 1950s. Pass a picnic table on the left and continue along the track, passing through a gate to reach the houses at Corrylach. From here the route becomes a tarmac road; ignore all branches to continue past the foot of the loch and the farm at Gobagrennan. At a large wooden shed 500 metres on stay on the road heading uphill.

Stage 8

The minor road is followed for another seven kilometres, though there is little traffic and the countryside is very pleasant apart from a quarry. When the A83 is finally reached, turn left and follow it past the housing estates into the heart of Campbeltown, by far the largest town in Kintyre and a great place to replenish supplies. Campbeltown has a fine harbour and it is here that are found two of its most fascinating buildings, the beautiful public library and completely contrasting but adjacent Art Deco cinema, one of the oldest still in use.

Next stage: Campbeltown to Southend

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