Loch Gruinart RSPB reserve trail

Summary

This short, straightforward walk leads through woodland to visit a couple of hides overlooking Loch Gruinart, a bird watchers' paradise. The return route loops up over moorland and can be boggy - this can be omitted if required.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Clear path with boardwalks, dogs not allowed in hides. Moorland section is clear to follow but rougher and boggier.

Getting there

Start

RSPB Loch Gruinart trails parking area.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start Grid Ref

NR276675

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 3.5km / 2.25 miles
Time: 1 hour
Ascent: 60m (Profile)

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Explorer 353 - Islay North

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

The walk starts from a car park on the left side of the Ardnave Road, 360m from the RSPB Loch Gruinart visitor centre (the visitor itself centre is well worth a visit first). From the car park head back along the road very briefly before turning left through a gate on the far side. At the junction ignore the path left for now, instead keeping ahead to reach the viewing platform overlooking Loch Gruinart. In the winter the water and grassland is home to thousands of barnacle and white fronted geese, in summer you may well hear the rasping call of the corncrake or see hen harriers and peregrines hunting.

Stage 2

Continue down the path to reach a gate, turn left onto a track and almost immediately right onto a path marked with a white arrow. Keep left to reach the first hide. Here you can read what other people have seen recently. In spring displaying wading birds including redshanks, curlew, snipe and lapwings can be seen. Little egrets are also sometimes sighted, and - very occasionally - an otter.

Stage 3

Return to the track from the hide and back up past the viewing platform. Turn right at the junction signed Woodland Trail. After the boardwalk the path winds through the trees, swinging right (where there is a picnic area ahead), and then back left to run alongside more open land where you may hear the distinctive rasp of the corncrake - though sightings are rare as they like to keep hidden in areas of yellow iris and nettles. When the path joins another keep right to head downhill and out of the wood towards Loch Gruinart.

Stage 4

Soon the second hide is reached. Barn owls, hen harriers and golden eagles have been spotted hunting here. During the autumn and winter large flocks of birds gather to feed and fly together at dusk. The corncrake arrives in mid-May and stays until August or early September before setting off on its migration to Africa. Return to the wood and stay on the main path heading uphill marked with an arrow. Follow it through the trees to emerge on the road, turn left along it.

Stage 5

If you want to avoid the moorland section - which can be boggy - you can simply follow the road back. Otherwise, turn right where a track goes off after 130m - but don't take the track itself, instead heading through a pedestrian gate to take a path on the right. This climbs gently uphill, then runs along a boardwalk through a small area of trees. Beyond this it continues up the moor, heading through a gate at the top.

Stage 6

After the gate the path veers left, crossing several areas of boadwalk as it continues through the heather. The next section can be somewhat muddy before the path eventually heads downhill again, crossing another boardwalk and heading through a gate. There are excellent views of Loch Gruinart ahead as the path descends; as it approaches the road it bears right to join the road near a whitewashed house. Turn right along the road to return to the start.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Islay, Jura & Colonsay Hotels

Islay, Jura & Colonsay B&B

Islay, Jura & Colonsay cottages

Islay, Jura & Colonsay hostels

Glamping and Camping

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