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Walking
The Arrochar Alps provide wonderful opportunities for climbers and hill walkers. The Cobbler (Above) Arrochar is well worth mentioning in particular. Many areas of the path have recently been much improved after suffering from erosion. It’s an excellent challenge for walkers with two tops, one of which requires a bit of scrambling. There are reasonable facilities in Arrochar including a few restaurants, pubs, hotels, cafes, shops and bed & breakfast guest houses if you fancy a stay overnight.
The great Argyll Forest covers large areas of land from Dunoon in the South towards Oban in the North
If climbing, scrambling and hill walking sound too strenuous then the Argyll walks listed below are much more leisurely. They provide a variety of walks which are local to Furnace and Inveraray. Remember that the islands on the west coast also offer some wonderful coastal walking and related activities such as bird watching.
Arrochar From the village centre (park near the Loch Long Hotel) there is a pleasant woodland walk that meanders across the hillside on the loch side adjacent to the village.
Furnace to Inveraray Turning right out of the cottage gate you can follow the road around until you reach the Furnace quarry. The road continues beyond the quarry as a track along the shore where it passes many fine views of Loch Fyne and some lovely cottages. There are often seals basking on the rocks at Pennymore. The track can be followed all the way back to Inveraray. The route is also ideal for mountain biking.
The Leacainn Millennium Walk The Leacainn Millennium Walk is sign posted from the centre of Furnace village. Leaflets on the route are available at the cottage or from the village shop. The circular walk takes in the old iron furnace and then follows the route of the river and go's as far as Auchindrain Township Museum. End your day at The Furnace Inn with a meal and some liquid refreshment.
Kilmory Woodland Park An easily accessible woodland walk around Kilmory Castle on the outskirts of Lochgilphead. The woodland surrounds the Argyll & Bute Council Headquarters and is clearly sign posted off the A83 just north of Lochgilphead.
Moine Mhor - The Great Moss Moine Mhor was classified as a National Nature Reserve in 1987. It is one of the last remaining raised peat bogs in the UK. The site is managed by Scottish Natural Heritage. Moine Mhor is adjacent to Kilmartin Glen. The walk is relatively short and you are only a few miles away from the Kilmartin House Museum which also has a cafe.
Ardcastle Wood Ardcastle Woods are located on the Lochgilphead road between Lochgilphead and Inveraray. A number of way marked routes through the woods lead you to places such St Brides Chapel & Burial Ground. There are are some good vantage points especially at the picnic site where you get excellent views of Loch Fyne and the Cowal Hills. A large map in the car park shows the routes and there are usually free route leaflets stored beside the sign.
The Crinan Canal Towpath It is possible to walk the entire length of the canal towpath from Lochgilphead to the Crinan basin (12 miles return). You can also do much shorter routes by parking at various points along the canal. Work on the canal started in 1784 and it was not completed until 1809. The Crinan Canal is still extensively used by pleasure craft but at one time in it's heyday it was a major shipping route for vessels to and from the Inner Hebrides. The canal enabled them to avoid having to navigate around the Mull of Kintyre.
Ardrishaig - The 39 Steps A woodland walk on the hills above Ardrishaig with excellent views of Loch Fyne and Loch Gilp. The route is signed posted by Scottish Woodlands Ltd and starts adjacent to the Auchendarroch Hotel in Ardrishaig.
The Folly Inveraray For the reasonably energetic there is a very steady walk up the hill opposite to an old folly where you then get wonderful views of the town of Inveraray and Loch Fyne. This a great walk for people who don’t feel they are that fit as the incline is so steady as the path zig zags gradually up the slope. The gentle gradient is due to the path being originally built for horse drawn vehicles. Perhaps the Duke couldn’t face the walk? Take a picnic as there are grassy areas at the top and the rewarding views will make you linger.
Kilmartin Glen Kilmartin Glen is rich in antiquity and prehistoric sites. There are many monuments worth visiting. Spend a day in Kilmartin Glen.
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