Stretch your legs and enjoy yourself!
There are some wonderful walks around Dunoon’s forests, including gentle strolls for all the family and longer hikes for people who want that walk on the wilder side.
Maps and waymarking
Walks are clearly marked with coloured waymarkers, but you might want to print out the walks map which details the routes:
Map of trails in Dunoon's forests (PDF 380k)
The relevant Ordnance Survey maps are:
- Cowal East - OS Explorer 363
- Cowal West & Bute - OS Explorer 362.
What to take
Take waterproofs, wear sturdy footwear and be prepared for sudden changes in the weather. See more about walking safely.
Dogs
If you’re walking your dog, you’re in good company with the Forestry Commission foresters - remember though that others need to walk a clean path after you.
Walks from Kilbride Car Park, Dunoon
Berry Burn
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Waymarkers: red markers
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Distance: 2.1miles (3.4km)
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Time: allow 1 hour
This short route will stretch your muscles as the trail rises up gentle hills on firm path surfaces. The forest road runs above Bishop’s Glen Reservoir, meanders through a plantation of young conifer trees, and climbs to a viewpoint with a lovely vista across Dunoon and the Firth of Clyde.
Clyde View - please note: due to tree harvesting work it will be necessary to close the upper section of the trail for periods of time over the work schedule. The work is expected to continue until March 2012.
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Waymarkers: yellow markers
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Distance: 2.2miles (3.6km)
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Time: allow 1 hour 15 minutes
A little bit steeper but not too strenuous, this route takes you up to a path following the side of Kilbride Hill, where you get even better views across the water to Gourock and the hills above the Firth of Clyde. The path loops downhill to return to the car park.
Balgaidh Burn 
- please note: due to tree harvesting work it will be necessary to close the upper section of the trail for periods of time over the work schedule. The work is expected to continue until March 2012.
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Waymarkers: blue markers
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Distance: 3.1miles (5km)
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Time: allow 2 hours 15 minutes
A longer hike which climbs higher up Kilbride Hill, through a stand of tall conifers and alongside the rushing Berry Burn. As it emerges from the depths of the trees, a wide panoramic view opens up, across to Loch Long, Helensburgh, Dunoon and Inverkip.
Kilbride to Ardyne
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Waymarkers: white markers
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Distance: 8.6 miles (13.9km)
Follow the Corlarach Loop trail (see below) south from Kilbride Car Park and turn off it at Ardyne. You can take the bus back to Dunoon from Toward Quay, about 20 minutes walk from Ardyne car park. See how to get there.
Walks from Ardyne Car Park
A lovely 7 mile drive south from Dunoon along the coast road brings you to the peaceful Ardyne walks.
Chinese Ponds 
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Waymarkers: yellow markers
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Distance: 1.5miles (2.5km)
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Time: allow 1 hour 15 minutes
This sloping trail meanders through young native woodland and cleared areas where broadleaf trees such as birch and rowan are regenerating naturally, and whins (gorse) paint the hillsides with gold.
Relish the lovely views over gentle farmland and out to Great and Little Cumbrae islands. Some of the paths follow those of the Victorian estate of Castle Toward (pronounced to rhyme with ‘Howard’), passing the Ivy Bridge and the picturesque Chinese Ponds, created to supply the ‘big hoose’ with water.
Ardyne Trail
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Waymarkers: red markers
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Distance: 1 mile (1.7km)
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Time: allow 45 minutes
This short circular route wanders through young native trees and scrubland, crossing over rushing little burns. The steeper section climbs through young and mature conifer forest. You can stop and enjoy the breathtaking view south to the Isle of Bute and beyond to the mountains of Arran.
Clyde Viewpoint
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Waymarkers: blue markers
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Distance: 2.1miles (3.4km)
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Time: allow 1 hour 30 minutes
Climbing higher still, this route offers elongated views down to Toward Point and over the water to the islands of Bute, Arran, Great and Little Cumbrae and, on a clear day, to the volcanic rock of Ailsa Craig jutting out of the sea over 40 miles to the south.
Ardyne to Kilbride
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Waymarkers: white markers
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Distance: 8.6 miles (13.9km)
Why not take the bus to Toward Quay (see how to get there), about 20 minutes walk from Ardyne car park, then follow the Corlarach Loop trail north from Ardyne Car Park back to Kilbride Car Park?
The Corlarach Loop (white markers), various distances
- Waymarkers: white markers
- Distance: varies from 8.6 to 17 miles (13.9 - 27km)
This long, dramatic trail, waymarked clearly with white markers, links the Ardyne and Kilbride car parks and offers several route options:
- Kilbride to Ardyne or Ardyne to Kilbride is an 8.6 mile (13.9km) walk.
- The full Corlarach loop - Kilbride to Ardyne and back - is 17 miles (27km).
- A loop starting and finishing at Ardyne, around the hills of Buachailean and Achafour, is about 9.5miles, 15.4km.
The trail
From either end, the trail climbs steadily on the east side of the forest, running along the edge of the scarp above Innellan and Bullwood, with sections winding through deep forest and others offering views south to Bute and Arran and east across the firth to the hills of the mainland.
The alternative loop from Ardyne heads north east and then turns west along the valley below Corlarach Hill (419m), bringing you out to views west across lovely Loch Striven to the remote hills beyond. The trail loops around the hills of Buachailean and Achafour, turning south again and back to Ardyne.
For the future
Keep an eye on our blog for news as we open up further paths through the forest. For example, we’re looking at ways of linking our Kilbride paths with the popular Bishop’s Glen and Camel’s Hump trails to the North of Dunoon.
We’re also planning an all-abilities trail, suitable for less mobile walkers and wheelchair users, leading along a short, gentle path to a viewpoint at Ardyne.
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