This forest walk climbs past a dramatic waterfall to reach a remote and peaceful hill loch.
Well-made, accessible aggregate footpaths as far as the waterfall, then a rougher and slightly boggier footpath to the loch.
Bus will stop on request.
Car park opposite the Kildonan road, east of Lagg.
Read about the experiences of our users on this route.
There are 4 reports from this walk - click to read them.
There is a dedicated car park alongside the A841 opposite the road down to Kildonan. The bus will stop at this junction as requested. Leave the car park by the Ear Mòr Ecology interpretative board and donation box and enjoy the well-made track constructed by the organisation. The gentle gradient is lined with a variety of native plants and trees, with wildflowers punctuating the verges below.
The path soon enters the forest above a deep steep-sided gorge, deep enough to prevent the Allt Mòr at the valley base from being viewed from the path.
There are a number of viewing platforms located along the path, but the final platform offers the most dramatic view of the single, long plume of the Eas Mòr waterfall plunging down the cliff face and into the ravine far below. Leaving this viewing station a path forks left, signposted 'Loch Garbad 1 mile'. Continue along this rougher path skirting the forest boundary, with the tall conifers on the left and farmland to the right.
Soon the path reaches a gate and stile on the right leading down to Ballymeanochglen and the farm beyond - ignore this and continue left to re-enter the forest. The path follows a small stream and continues gently uphill. Step over a small stream and enter a wider forest ride lined with heather, before reaching Loch Garbad by a small picnic bench. Popular with fly fishermen, this loch is a haven of tranquillity and a superb place for a lunch break.
Return back to the junction above the waterfall, but turn left to visit the Eas Mòr Ecology library - a turf-roofed wooden structure constructed from trees felled in the 1998 storm and lined with drawings created by visitors. Return to the car park via the main track.
Please consider setting up a direct debit donation to help support the continued maintenance and updates to Walkhighlands.
Have you found an error or is any information wrong or missing? Please let us know by clicking here.
