Isle of Eriska circuit, near Benderloch

Summary

Eriska is a magical and secluded small island, the setting for a luxury hotel. This walk starts on the mainland and accesses the island via a bridge before making a rough but memorable circular walk around the island.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Mix of informal paths, very boggy in places, and very rough near the end though this part could be omitted.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

There is now no parking for visiting Eriska or anywhere on the entire peninsula, so a drop-off would need to be arranged to do the walk - or an additional road walk (or bike) from Benderloch, adding 4km each way. The car park shown on maps at the Shian Wood Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve has a sign stating it is for the use of walkers ONLY whilst they are in Shian Wood and cannot be used if they walk elsewhere. Open in Google Maps.

Hillwalking in Winter

Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. All route descriptions and difficulties given here are for summer conditions. See our Winter Skills page for basic information on the essential skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 8.5km / 5.25 miles
Time (summer conditions): 3 - 4 hours
Ascent: 121m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NM901416

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (3)

Stage 1

The Isle of Eriska is the privately-owned grounds of the hotel, so there is vehicle access only for guests. The car park shown on Ordnance Survey maps is for the Shian Wood Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve; it has a sign stating that walkers can use it only whilst walking in the reserve itself, so you may need to arrange a drop-off to walk to Eriska. Begin your walk by heading along the road and crossing the bridge onto the island. There are beautiful views as you cross. A short distance further on, ignore a turning on the left, but take a grassy path off to the right.

Stage 2

The path soon leads to a t-junction - turn right to follow the path to the shoreline. Here turn left along the shore - which can be wet depending on the state of the tide; offshore the remains of a crannog are just visible. The path - like many on the island - is marked by white posts. When it reaches a signpost at the southeasternmost point on the island turn left onto a path up into the trees, then immediately right at the next path junction.

Stage 3

The path continues through the trees; it is marked by white posts but can be very boggy in places. Eventually it emerges on a track near a house - turn left along this, then turn right at the next track junction. Just before this track reaches a gate, turn right onto a footpath signed 'Heronry'. The path now continues along a more open ridge.

Stage 4

Eventually the path descends into the trees and reaches a t-junction with another path. If you wish to visit the heronry, take a short detour to the right; otherwise, the walk continues by turning left. Soon the path reaches Sir Ian's Lookout - a seat commemorating a former MP whose family once owned the island. Continuing along the path, the shore is eventually reached - follow this past a small pier and then continue along the shoreline track along the edge of the golf course. There are superb views across the water to the Appin peninsula, and to the mountains of Morvern beyond.

Stage 5

The shoreline track peters out, but keep between the golf course and the shore - at one point it is necessary to keep to the left side of a small area of trees. Note Ronald Rae's fine sculpture of a horse. When a junction is reached (stone sign for fifth tee) you can detour briefly to the right to visit a seat looking out to sea. Otherwise the walk continues by turning left, but then right at the next junction.

Stage 6

At the next path junction, it is again worth making a detour to the right - this time to see a beautifully set sculpture of an otter on a rock. Again, the route continues from the junction to the left. Take the next right by a white post, passing a stone seat dedicated to Craig Paterson. Beyond this a grassy track is reached.

Stage 7

As a white house is approached a choice must be made - the most straightforward route follows a track from here to the hotel at the heart of the island, then turning right to complete the walk. The continuation around the island is very rough and boggy, but if wanting to continue turn right and head down to the shore. Continue along the shore below the house - not possible at high tide - and along the top of the rocks beyond. Another track is reached - this offers a final chance of escape! To continue, cross a ditch and go over an old stile. The route now continues across very rough terrain with barely a path, and just a very occasional post, en route to Rubha Mòr at the southwestern corner of the island - also known as Shell Point.

Stage 8

From here continue along the southern shore on pitted grassy turf, kelp and boggy patches. Pass around the back of a bay to return to the island's bridge. Pass beneath this through a tunnel and continue along the shore briefly until you reach the point where you first reached the coast near the start of the walk. Here turn left, and then left again to return to the island track and head back across the bridge to the start.

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