Killinallan Point circuit, Loch Gruinart

Summary

This is a great walk for wildife watching and beachcombing - follow the sands out to Killinallan Point at the mouth of Loch Gruinart and after more beach return on an inland track.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Sandy beach, track over farmland (dogs must be under tight control). Burn flowing out over sands may require a paddle.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

Killinallan. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 10.25km / 6.25 miles
Time: 2.5 - 3 hours
Ascent: 48m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NR301707

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Accommodation

Walk Description

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Stage 1

To reach the start, take the minor road to Killinallan off the B8017 just east of the RSPB visitor centre at Gruinart. This road will test your vehicle's suspension! Well before the farmhouse at Killinallan there is parking on the turf on the left side of the road just before a gate. Take the track down to the shore marked with a white arrow and go through the gate. If the tide is low you may prefer to head out onto the sands to view the seals that often bask on the sandbanks across the other side of the river, whilst at high tide you will have to head to the right to follow the shoreline.

Stage 2

Head northwest towards Killnallan Point. At low tide you may see exposed commercial oyster beds as well as crabs and many seabirds enjoying the natural feast. Take care on the wet sand as there can be patches of quick sand. In winter thousands of geese overwinter on Loch Gruinart and the surrounding land (well seen from hides on the RSPB Loch Gruinart walk across the water as well as from this route.)

Stage 3

From the headland keep following the sands east along Tràigh Baile Aonghais. Even at high tide there is a strip of dry sand before the dunes. The dunes drop down to allow a stream to reach the bay - you will have to cross this by paddling across on the sand - if this is not possible you can follow a faint path along the stream inland to eventually reach the return track, but the much better route is to continue along the beach.

Stage 4

Further on the larger Gortantaoid River reaches the beach. Just before the river a faint path heads up through the dunes keeping high above the river at first before heading slightly right uphill to go through a gate. Detour back left to the river to see the waterfall, then follow the high ground, heading inland along a vague path which heads southeast to reach a track.

Stage 5

To the left the remains of the farm at Gortantaoid can be seen; our route turns right to follow the clear track all the way back to the start. The track passes through two gates before it reaches the farm buildings at Killinallan. Go straight on here through two more gates (one sometimes locked) to reach the final section of track.

Route Profile

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