Glen Sannox is the dramatic glen that leads deep into Arran's sandstone mountains from the northeastern side - a lesser known counterpart to Glen Rosa. This shoprt loop explores the foot of the glen - you can extend it as far up as you wish.
Bog Factor
Good track then rougher paths; a crossing of stepping stones to complete the loop is optional.
Sannox car park.
Bus to Sannox.
NS016453
The walk begins from the car park either side of the burn in Sannox, on the east side of the A841. From the car park take the track on the opposite side of the road, signed for Glen Sannox. Pass through the kissing gate to head up the glen on the surfaced track.
Soon the Sannox old churchyard is passed on your left, though there is nothing remaining of St Michael's Chapel that once stood here. Beyond it the track becomes rougher, curves right and passes through another gate. Soon it passes a tall white navigation mast - one of a set used to measure the speed of vessels in the Firth of Clyde.
The path rises gently and curves to the left. The views up the glen are superb, with the pointed peak of Cioch na h'Oighe to the left, and Caisteal Abhail to the right. The latter forms part of the 'Sleeping Warrior' profile of the north Arran hills as seen from the Ayrshire coast. When the path reaches a line of beech trees turn right at the footpath sign (Glen Sannox via Footbridge) to take a path down to a footbridge over the burn. Cross this and turn left upriver, ignoring a path ahead across the moors.
The path is rough in places but clear to follow, with attractive trees down to the left and the mountains ahead. After 500m look out for a branch path leading to a set of rough stepping stones. , follows the course of the river up the glen, passing the remains of the barite mines that were in operation in Glen Sannox well into the 20th Century. Keep an eye out for a set of stepping stones crossing the river off the main path. If you don't fancy crossing the stones - you can simply retrace your steps; if looking for a longer walk, you can head further up the glen. Otherwise - to follow our route - cross the stones carefully.
Turn left on the far side. The path becomes a track and passes through an area mined for barytes in the nineteenth century. The Allt a' Chapuill burn beyond can be crossed on stones unless in spate; from the far side, a good track leads back down the glen, rejoining the outward route at the beech trees and continuing back to the start.
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