Castle Dounie circuit, Crinan

This fine forestry walk climbs high above the sea to give stunning views of Jura, Scarba and the Argyll coastline. Starting from picturesque Crinan harbour, it ascends to a dramatically situated iron-age fort on an airy summit. The first section of path can be covered by the sea at high tide.

Terrain

Clear paths with steep ascents

Public Transport

Bus from Lochgilphead.

Start

Crinan harbour. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

Users' reports

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 6.5km / 4 miles
Time: 2 - 3 hours
Ascent: 255m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NR783941

Maps / GPS

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Walk Description

Stage 1

The walk begins from Crinan Harbour; the road bends right as it reaches the sea to pass a few cottages, just beyond which is a car park on the right hand side. There is an information board about the walk here; it is waymarked with little ship symbols and begins from a signpost a short distance back along the road where it bent to the right. The walk does not head into the garden of the white bungalow but instead takes to the pebbly shore.

Stage 2

Once beyond the bungalow a marker post indicates where the path leaves the shore and climbs up into the trees. The path now runs parallel to the shore for some distance, passing through fine remnant oak woodland - a wonderful habitat for wildlife. Wooden duckboards avoid the boggiest sections, and a short distance further on a wooden bench enables a leisurely appreciation of this beautiful spot. Soon the path bends to the left and begins to climb steeply, passing alongside a felled area on grassy ground. The ascent is steep, but there are a couple of benches along the way and grand views back over Loch Crinan, the many boats and Eilean da Mheinn, an island complete with a house.

Stage 3

The climb ends for the moment when a forestry track is reached; turn right here. When the track reaches a signed junction, close to another panoramic bench, turn left, marked for 'Forest walk'. The sea is soon lost to sight as the track heads inland. Continue along it for around four hundred metres until a well-signed path goes off to the right. Take this grassy path which winds between two rocky hillocks and passes yet another finely located picnic table.

Stage 4

The path then descends slightly and passes through a gap in a drystone wall. Beyond this is a fork; the return route to Crinan Harbour is off to the right, but before going this way turn left in order to climb up to a pointy little summit viewpoint. The path up to it is clear and the detour is a short one but is well worth making. The hill is crowned with the remains of 'Castle Dounie', an iron-age dun or hill-fort; there are clear sections of outer wall remaining complete with some small chambers. The main attraction, however, is the view, which is simply stunning. The summit is very steep on the other sides which gives great drama to the views up and down the coast, as well as across the sound to Jura and Scarba, divided by the famous Gulf of Corryvreckan and its whirlpool. More distant are Mull, and if the day is clear, Ben Cruachan.

Stage 5

Return back the same way to the path junction and this time continue straight ahead. The path descends quite steeply to eventually reach a forestry track. Turn right along the track; after three quarters of a kilometre it curves to the right - a bench over to the left here has perhaps the best sea views of all. Continue along the track which climbs gently in a wide zig-zag, eventually returning to the signposted track junction from earlier in the walk. Go straight ahead here and after another two hundred and fifty metres turn left to retrace your steps back down the steep path to sea level. Continue on the path to pass through the oakwood and eventually return across the shore to Crinan.

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