The Craiglea Trail begins from the ruins of Loch Doon castle on the shores of the loch, climbing above the north side to give some excellent views over the water.
Path but can be overgrown in places.
None to start.
Parking at Loch Doon castle ruins.
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Park at the ruins of Castle Doon; if there's no space there is a large parking area on the other side of the road. The castle dates back to the 14th century and originally stood on an island in the loch. In the 1930s, when Loch Doon was dammed and the water level raised for hydro power, the castle was moved stone-by-stone to its present site. You can enter the ruins at the rear.
The start of the Craiglea Trail is signed from the road just west of the castle. The grassy path heads uphill, passing a couple of seats with good views back over the loch, set amidst some old shielings. Continue up the path, going straight across at a forestry track.
The most obvious worn path continues up towards the Wee Hill of Craigmulloch. You need to look out very carefully for where the Craiglea Trail turns left off this path to contour the slope - it's a short distance before a wooden post. Once you've found the path, it is fairly easy to follow as it leads across the sloppe and over a wooden footbridge. It then descends on the far side of the burn before heading into the trees.
The path - overgrown in places - leads through a mix of forest and open sections. Follow it as it crosses another two footbridges. Eventually a fork is reached; the main path ahead leads to a fine viewpoint with a bench overlooking the loch. After visiting this, return to the fork and follow the path down to the Forest Drive road just above the loch shores.
Here turn left along the road nearest the loch shores - ignoring the forest track that immediately forks off left uphill. The road / forest drive leads back, passing a house, to reach Loch Doon castle and the start.
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