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Home> Walks> Scotland> Argyll & Bute> Carradale Forest Walk

Carradale Forest Walk

Recommended by
Our view
"A gentle stroll above the home of Naomi Mitchison"
Walk directions

From the car park turn right onto the main road into Carradale. Walk right through the village until you come to a Forestry Commission signpost for parking on the right. Turn into the car park and walk through to the signpost for walks to Kirnashie and Deerhill.

Follow the road to a T-junction and turn left along a forest road, following blue and red waymarker poles. Pass the red waymarked turning for Deerhill and continue along the forest road for about a mile.
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Location
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain  - Forest roads, some forest paths and shingle beach, 1 stile
  Landscape  - Forest, hillside, beach, pasture
  Dog friendliness  - Good walk for dogs
  Parking  - The harbour car park at Carradale
  Toilets en route  - At car park
Walks in Argyll & Bute Dog-friendly walks in Argyll & Bute
About the walk
Carradale on the Mull of Kintyre is where novelist Naomi Mitchison (1897–1999) and her husband Dick came to live in 1937. They bought Carradale House and Naomi spent most of the rest of her life there. A prolific writer, she continued to work well into her 80s and died at Carradale when she was...
Read more
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About the area
This is a county that’s all about awe-inspiring landscapes and unique island cultures. Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney put the area on the map when he wrote Mull of Kintyre, recorded in 1977 with the local pipe band backing his group.
Explore Argyll & Bute
Area image

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Caravan & Camping
Carradale Bay Caravan Park
★★★
award
"Winning combination of beach location and views of Arran...."
  • Launderette
  • Ice pack facility
  • Picnic Area
  • Shop onsite
Guest Accommodation
Dunvegan House
★★★★
award
"Expect a warm welcome at this large house, a stone’s throw from the sea...."
  • Rooms 9
  • Free TV
  • Wifi
  • Open parking
Glamping
Runach Arainn Glamping
★★★★★
awardaward
"Creature comforts abound in these stylish yurts lost in rural Arran...."
  • Launderette
  • BBQ
  • Picnic Area
  • Wifi available
Nearby places to stay
Carradale Bay Caravan Park
A beautiful, natural site on the sea's edge with superb views over Kilbrannan Sound to the Isle of Arran. Pitches are landscaped into small bays broken up by shrubs and bushes, and back...
★★★    Rating
Dunvegan House
Dunvegan House is situated close to the shore and enjoying spectacular views of the bay, this establishment is a popular choice for visitors to the island. The property benefits from ha...
★★★★    Rating
Runach Arainn Glamping
Runach Arainn, Gaelic for ‘Secret Arran’, lives up to its name – hidden away in a quiet and beautiful part of the Isle of Arran, just a 15-minute walk from a lovely beach. It offers sup...
★★★★★    Rating
Seal Shore Camping and Touring Site
On the south coast of Arran and only 12 miles from the ferry at Brodick, Seal Shore Camping and Touring Site is a peaceful, family-run site with direct access to a sandy beach. There ar...
★★★★    Rating
The Colintraive
The Colintraive is located on 'Argyll's Secret Coast' with views onto the narrow channel that separates the mainland from the Isle of Bute. This is an ideal base for touring, with the I...
★★★★    Rating
Port Askaig
The Port Askaig Hotel is a family-run inn that dates back to the 18th century. The lounge enjoys fine views over the Sound of Islay to Jura, and there is a choice of popular bars – the ...
★★★    Rating
Another Place, The Machrie
Another Place, The Machrie enjoys a wonderful location on the Isle of Islay. This modern contemporary hotel showcases some amazing art work alongside high quality facilities. The large ...
★★★★    Rating
Trump Turnberry
Trump Turnberry enjoys an elevated location looking down over the championship golf courses and out to sea. This is a grand dame hotel which continues to showcase quality and luxury in ...
★★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
The Colintraive
   AA Rosette Award
18 Restaurant & Bar
   AA Rosette Award
1906
   AA Rosette Award
The Rabbit
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
The Colintraive
   AA Rosette Award
18 Restaurant & Bar
   AA Rosette Award
1906
   AA Rosette Award
The Rabbit
   AA Rosette Award
Walkers Lounge
   AA Rosette Award
Inver
   AA Rosette Award
The Kirkmichael Arms
Awaiting inspection
View all
Route details
3hrs 30min
Dog-friendly
Difficulty:
Easy

Gradient:
Moderate


Distance:
7.5 miles (12.1kms)

Ascent:
410ft (125m)

Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby  
Discover more walks in Argyll & Bute
If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.
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Carradale Forest Walk

Recommended by
Our view
"A gentle stroll above the home of Naomi Mitchison"
Walk details
3hrs 30min
Dog friendly
Difficulty:
Easy
Gradient:
Moderate
Distance:
7.5 miles (12.1kms)
Ascent:
410ft (125m)
Walk directions

From the car park turn right onto the main road into Carradale. Walk right through the village until you come to a Forestry Commission signpost for parking on the right. Turn into the car park and walk through to the signpost for walks to Kirnashie and Deerhill.
1 of 6

Follow the road to a T-junction and turn left along a forest road, following blue and red waymarker poles. Pass the red waymarked turning for Deerhill and continue along the forest road for about a mile.
2 of 6

Eventually reach a gate across the road. Cross here by a stile to a car park, which is an alternative start to the walk. Turn right at the car park in the direction indicated by a fingerpost for the Kirnashie Walk. When the track rejoins the forest road, keep right.
3 of 6

When the road forks, keep right, always following blue waymarkers. Eventually a marker will indicate a right turn onto a footpath that heads uphill. This will lead up the highest point of the walk with magnificent views over the sea to Arran. Just off to the left, a picnic table is well placed for a break and refreshments.
4 of 6

Continue downhill from here on a well-made footpath, passing a junction on the left with a fingerpost pointing to Deer Hill. Eventually you will see the village and its playing fields before you. When the path reaches a junction with a lane turn right.
5 of 6

Continue to the junction on the left signposted Carradale, which will return you to the car park. Retrace your steps to the main road and turn left to head back through the village to the harbour.
6 of 6
Location
Starting point
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain - Forest roads, some forest paths and shingle beach, 1 stile
  Landscape - Forest, hillside, beach, pasture
  Dog friendliness - Good walk for dogs
  Parking - The harbour car park at Carradale
  Toilets en route - At car park
Walks in Argyll & Bute Dog-friendly walks in Argyll & Bute
About the walk
Carradale on the Mull of Kintyre is where novelist Naomi Mitchison (1897–1999) and her husband Dick came to live in 1937. They bought Carradale House and Naomi spent most of the rest of her life there. A prolific writer, she continued to work well into her 80s and died at Carradale when she was...
Read more
Been on this walk placeholder

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more
Walking in Safety placeholder

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more
Get an AA guide placeholder

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more
About the area
Area image
Argyll & Bute
This is a county that’s all about awe-inspiring landscapes and unique island cultures. Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney put the area on the map when he wrote Mull of Kintyre, recorded in 1977 with the local pipe band backing his group.
Explore Argyll & Bute

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Caravan & Camping
Carradale Bay Caravan Park
★★★
award
"Winning combination of beach location and views of Arran...."
  • Launderette
  • Ice pack facility
  • Picnic Area
  • Shop onsite
Guest Accommodation
Dunvegan House
★★★★
award
"Expect a warm welcome at this large house, a stone’s throw from the sea...."
  • Rooms 9
  • Free TV
  • Wifi
  • Open parking
Glamping
Runach Arainn Glamping
★★★★★
awardaward
"Creature comforts abound in these stylish yurts lost in rural Arran...."
  • Launderette
  • BBQ
  • Picnic Area
  • Wifi available
Nearby places to stay
Carradale Bay Caravan Park
A beautiful, natural site on the sea's edge with superb views over Kilbrannan Sound to the Isle of Arran. Pitches are landscaped into small bays broken up by shrubs and bushes, and back...
★★★    Rating
Dunvegan House
Dunvegan House is situated close to the shore and enjoying spectacular views of the bay, this establishment is a popular choice for visitors to the island. The property benefits from ha...
★★★★    Rating
Runach Arainn Glamping
Runach Arainn, Gaelic for ‘Secret Arran’, lives up to its name – hidden away in a quiet and beautiful part of the Isle of Arran, just a 15-minute walk from a lovely beach. It offers sup...
★★★★★    Rating
Seal Shore Camping and Touring Site
On the south coast of Arran and only 12 miles from the ferry at Brodick, Seal Shore Camping and Touring Site is a peaceful, family-run site with direct access to a sandy beach. There ar...
★★★★    Rating
The Colintraive
The Colintraive is located on 'Argyll's Secret Coast' with views onto the narrow channel that separates the mainland from the Isle of Bute. This is an ideal base for touring, with the I...
★★★★    Rating
Port Askaig
The Port Askaig Hotel is a family-run inn that dates back to the 18th century. The lounge enjoys fine views over the Sound of Islay to Jura, and there is a choice of popular bars – the ...
★★★    Rating
Another Place, The Machrie
Another Place, The Machrie enjoys a wonderful location on the Isle of Islay. This modern contemporary hotel showcases some amazing art work alongside high quality facilities. The large ...
★★★★    Rating
Trump Turnberry
Trump Turnberry enjoys an elevated location looking down over the championship golf courses and out to sea. This is a grand dame hotel which continues to showcase quality and luxury in ...
★★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
The Colintraive
   AA Rosette Award
18 Restaurant & Bar
   AA Rosette Award
1906
   AA Rosette Award
The Rabbit
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
The Colintraive
   AA Rosette Award
18 Restaurant & Bar
   AA Rosette Award
1906
   AA Rosette Award
The Rabbit
   AA Rosette Award
Walkers Lounge
   AA Rosette Award
Inver
   AA Rosette Award
The Kirkmichael Arms
Awaiting inspection
View all
Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby