An easy short walk through beautiful ancient oak woodlands; the walk visits an excellent wildlife hide on the shores of Loch Sunart. This is a great place to watch for otters, whilst seals and herons are likely to be seen on most visits.
Easy woodland paths.
Very infrequent bus service.
Signposted car park on A861.
Park at the Ardery (Àrd Airigh) car park which is signed on the south side of the A861 (another car park a kilometre further west is much closer to the hide, from which it is wheelchair accessible). Begin the walk along the wide path from the wooden post (marked with the Sunart woodlands oak leaf symbol).
This area was once planted with exotic conifers but these have been felled in recent years and the regeneration of the temperate rain forest is being encouraged. Such forests once clothed most of Europe's Atlantic coasts and there are several remnants of the ancient forest around Loch Sunart. After a short distance the path forks; keep right (signed for the hide). The path climbs uphill as it continues between oaks, hazel and birch trees.
The path then descends with excellent views of Loch Sunart ahead. It joins a larger path at a 't-junction' - this is the wheelchair-accessible path coming down from the Garbh Eilean car park. Turn left here and continue downhill; a winding elevated boardwalk leads to the hide.
The beautifully constructed hide fits perfectly with its surroundings. There are a series of viewing slots suitable for visitors of all heights! The hide overlooks the shoreline and Garbh Eilean (Rough Island) just offshore; this is a great place for watching wildlife. You may see herons, various types of diving birds and almost certainly seals basking on the island; if you are quiet, patient and lucky, this is also a great place to see an otter. Otters love the oakwoods sweeping down to the sea as they mean that most of the coastline is completely undisturbed.
Return from the hide to the junction of the wheelchair path, and turn right to continue the return the way you came. There are good views down to Garbh Eilean through the trees. Further on you'll reach the junction near the start of the walk; you can turn right here to return to the car park via a different loop.
This passes a wooden bench which once had a fine view over the loch but is now obscured by trees. Eventually the path returns to the car park. It is worth detouring to the right when the path emerges for a good view out over the flats to the loch.
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