A one way walk along the entire length of the Crinan Canal linking the Atlantic with Loch Fyne at Ardrishaig. Overlooking the sea for the first part, and then passing the pretty locks at Cairnbaan, this almost level walk is good for bird watching. A bus links the start and finish.
Canal towpaths and tracks
Buses from Lochgilphead serve both Ardrishaig and Crinan.
Crinan village.
Start from Crinan where there is parking at the back of the canal basin. Walk down towards the sea and cross the two locks that link the canal to the sea and start walking along the clear towpath passing a number of moored boats on the right hand side. The Crinan Canal was opened in 1808 and meant boats no longer had to navigate the long and hazardous route around the Mull of Kintyre. The canal also proved popular with holidaymakers with steamers taking trips along the route and later the Clyde puffers also plied the canal until the late 1960's. These days the canal is used mainly for leisure and tourism and is a protected industrial monument.
Follow the towpath as it keeps between the sea and the canal, with wide passing places on the water in places. Further on the small island of Eilean Glas can be seen out to see and depending on the state of the tide, great sand spits lie uncovered on this section. As the canal bends round to the right the land straight ahead that looks like an island is actually part of the mainland, Crinan Ferry. Eventually you reach a small cottage at a swing bridge. The entrance to the river here is popular with fisherman who can often be seen up to their chests in the deep water. Don't cross the bridge but continue along the towpath.
Keep following the towpath and soon the wide basin at Bellanoch comes into view. Now used as a small marina it would once have been somewhere for the large boats to pass and for some to moor up for the night. Soon afterwards pass a bench and a bird hide with a good view out over the river and marshy ground. At Islandadd swing bridge cross the road and continue on the same side of the canal. To the left can be seen the Moine Mhòr or great moss, a unique habitat of salt marsh. Behind it you should be able to see the volcanic plug of Dunadd rising out of the flat ground. This is the site of an iron fort and the capital of the ancient kingdom of Dalriada where the first kings were crowned; Dunadd is described on our Kilmartin Glen walk. Keep following the towpath, staying on the same side of the canal at Dunardry where another bridge crosses.
Eventually the first lock and houses at Cairnbaan are reached. The canal has a total of 15 locks and you will soon reach the summit after the first staircase, at 21 metres above sea level. As each locking procedure uses 300,000 litres of water, the canal has to be supplied with a constant source of new water from 7 reservoirs in Knapdale to the north. Stay on the same side of the canal and pass the locks which now head slightly downhill.
You are now walking on a surfaced road that provides access to the houses on this side of the canal at Cairnbaan. Just before the hotel the minor road reaches the main road. Cross the road here and pick up the towpath on the other side, staying on the left side of the canal. A 3 km section of open countryside with some trees now follows until the outskirts of Lochgilphead are reached. The canal does not go into the centre but because the canal is raised up at this point you can see over the town. Continue past the swing bridge at Oakfield
After another 3 km the outskirts of Ardrishaig are reached. Stay on the side of the canal as it passes houses before eventually emerging at the main road and then the sea at Loch Fyne, with a lighthouse marking the entrance to the canal and mirroring the one at Crinan.
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