Crinan Canal & Knapdale Forest
| Distance | Approximate Time | Height Gain | OS Map |
| 15 kms | 04:00 (hrs:mins) | 220 metres | Explorer 358: Lochgilphead and Knapdale North |
Description
Start beside the canal basin. Turn right over lock 15 onto the towpath. Walk 2 miles to the second swing bridge (Bellanoch). Cross it and turn left along the road. After ¼ mile, where the road curves left, turn right onto an uphill track. On reaching a T-junction turn left through a metal gate and walk along the track curving to the left, then right. Continue through the forest bending left to another T-junction, Turn right and continue into open countryside, passing over a crossroads of tracks.
On arriving at a broad track turn left. The track veers right and takes you through woodlands. Continue ahead steadily uphill to the point where the road bends right by a quarry. Turn left onto a footpath continuing steeply uphill via steps to the viewpoint. Retrace your steps downhill and on returning to the track,turn left. This becomes a tarmac path leading to a T-junction in front of waterfalls. Turn left and look out for a yellow footprint symbol. At this point turn left onto a path. Head up the steps and follow the clearly marked path through the forest. The route leads along a grassy ledge, descending to a track. Turn sharp right and follow this downhill to the Forestry Commission Car Park at Dunardry.
Descend steps to the road turn left and after 180 metres, turn sharp right onto a path, initially doubling back, then over a footbridge and steps to rejoin the Canal at lock 9. Turn left onto the towpath and follow it to the Dunardry flight of locks. Continue past Dunardry swing bridge and onto Bellanoch Bridge to retrace the outward route.
Access Info
There is a bus service operated by Scottish Citylink from Glasgow to Campbeltown which stops at Lochgilphead and from there a local bus service operates several times daily. A leaflet on public transport throughout Argyll can be obtained at Lochgilphead tourist information centre.
Additional Info
On the outward walk, the section after Bellanoch gives views across Loch Crinan and the River Add Estuary.
The viewpoint at the highest point of the walk offers extensive views across the Crinan Canal to the Paps or Dura. The prominent rock ahead is Dunadd, the site of an Iron Age fort and the capital of the Kingdom of Dalriada, founded by the early Scots who landed in Argyll from Ireland in the 6th century.
Kilmartin House Museum of Ancient Culture at Kilmartin, just a few miles north of Crinan, is an impressive centre illustrating this early history.
The Crinan Canal itself is a popular shortcut for yachtsmen sailing from Loch Fyne to the Atlantic.
More Info
Jarrold Pathfinder guide - Oban, Mull and Kintyre - Order online at www.sprintbooks.co.uk
