This easy going circuit on paths and minor roads heads along the coast to Kingscross Point with fabulous views to Holy Isle and after rounding the point turns inland to return via pleasant country lanes.
Bog Factor
Easy paths with stiles, minor roads and track
Sandbraes carpark, Whiting Bay .
Bus to Whiting Bay.
NS046272
There is a parking area off the A841 on the far side of the playing fields at Sandbraes, at the northern end of Whiting Bay, there is a bus stop at the main road and you can also walk here along the coast from the centre of Whiting Bay. Start by heading down the road towards the sea past the church. Keep straight on along the road after the church and after crossing a bridge turn immediately right onto an unsurfaced road. Pass several houses and head onto the beach at the end of the track.
Walk along the beach keeping an eye out for a signed path and gate on the left. Go through this and along a path between gorse and brambles before a more wooded area with a section of boardwalk. This area is carpeted in spring and summer with wild garlic. Follow the path up steps and along the edge of a field and through a gate and across another field, the path keeping near the hedge on the right. Go through the next gate and continue to the corner of the field and another gate.
The path now heads between trees to soon reach a more open grassy area. Keep straight on here. Holy Isle comes into view with the lighthouse and buildings that house those on Buddhist retreat on the island.
Keep ahead on the main grassy path soon passing a bench with a great view across the water to Lamlash and the Goatfell range behind. A small path behind and to the right of the bench leads out to a rocky outcrop where an ancient fort once stood. There are views over to Holy Island and a view indicator and cairn.
Walk down the path past the cairn down to a rusty metal base and bear left here to head down to the bottom of the grassy area and another bench with great views across the water. Follow the grassy path at the back of the bay passing a couple more benches and heading into a wooded area.
The path passes the garden of a large bungalow, keep on the upper path here when the path forks. The path soon enters an area of low woodland with bluebells and wild garlic in summer. Keep left on the upper path when it forks heading gently uphill. The path climbs more steeply and doubles back to the left at some mature beech trees before reaching a track at a gate.
Turn right up the track passing a large wooden house on the right with good views back to Holy Isle. The track levels off, passes another house and reaches a T junction. Turn right here to follow the road, turning left at the next corner before taking the signed track (Sandbraes) on the left at the next corner, keeping the wooden house on your right hand side. Bear left to stay on the track where a house drive goes off to the right and soon the spire of the church at the start can be seen ahead. Turn right downhill at the surfaced road to reach the bridge, turn right over it to return to the start.
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