This walk links together three different loops from the ruins of Bonawe Furnace just outside Taynuilt, including a fine riverside stretch and a visit to the beautiful shores of Loch Etive.
Bog Factor
Mixed: grassy paths with some muddy stretches, tracks and tarmac lane.
Bonawe Furnace.
Bus or train to Taynuilt 1km from start.
NN009319
The walk starts from the Bonawe Furnace car park, reached off a lane from Taynuilt. The walk begins along the path that keeps to the left of the enclosed ruins of the furnace, which can be visited if you wish (entrance charge). The furnace opened in 1753 and made iron until the 1870s, fired by local charcoal; today it is the most complete such furnace in Britain. Eventually the path reaches a track at a pedestrian gate - go straight across the track, then turn left along the lane in front of a cottage; this soon becomes a track.
Keep straight ahead along the track, which curves right and continues between lines of trees. Eventually the track ends at three gates; go through the kissing gate alongside middle gate, then take the grassy track that swings left. This leads down to the banks of the River Awe. Cross the impressive footbridge ahead, high above the water.
On the gar side turn left, walking downstream along the riverside. Eventually the grassy track curves right and leads up to the minor road beside the Inverawe Hydropower station. Turn left and take the road that climbs up to pass above the far side of power station. At the next fork the route keeps left, though if you wish you can make a short detour to the right, climbing up and keeping right to pass an intake for the power station and continue up towards a mast to reveal superb views over Loch Etive.
Back on the main route, continue to the end of the public road. There's a gate here with a private property / no unauthorised access sign; this applies to motor traffic - the track is an official council Core Path for pedestrians, despite the discouraging signage. Head through the pedestrian gate alongside the main gate and then turn right to follow a track which soon leading to the shores of Loch Etive - at this point turn left along the track beside the loch. There are stunning views up the loch towards Ben Starav and its neighbours.
Continue along the track; soon it nears the outflow of the River Awe into the loch and bends to the left. Eventually the track leads back to the gate at the end of the tarmac road used earlier. Go through the gate and retrace your steps back the road back above the Power Station, continuing along the road for another 500m until there is a car park off to the right.
Head through this parking area and take the path from the far side, passing Hugo's Lochan - used for fishing. Turn left just before reaching the lochan to head across the grassy meadows towards the footbridge crossed earlier, seen to the southwest. The centre of the meadow is often very boggy and it may be easier to keep slightly to the right.
Cross over the footbridge once more, but once on the far side turn right, heading through a pedestrian gate to continue downstream. Keep atop the bank high above the river, passing through a couple of gateways. The bank eventually diverges from the riverside above a small burn; as the path heads towards two gates take the right hand pedestrian gate. Continue up the path, keeping straight across at a gated track, to keep alongside a mill lade. Pass through a kissing gate; soon the path returns to the Bonawe Furnace and the start of the walk.
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