"Enjoy this short, scenic woodland walk discovering the Isle of Arran's ancient bedrock"
Walk directions
From the car park turn right on to the road, cross it and turn left on to the footpath, signposted 'Giants' Graves and Glenashdale Falls'. Follow this leafy lane until it reaches the rear of a house, then continue on the path along the riverbank. Go through a gate, pass a forest walks sign and then continue until you reach a signpost pointing in the direction of the Giants' Graves.
The path forks here. Go right, following the sign to Glenashdale Falls. The path continues, rising gently through a wooded area, where several of the trees are identified by small labels fixed to the trunks. Continue uphill on this path, which is marked by the occasional waymarker, crossing a bridge and fording a shallow section of the burn.
Eventually the path starts to climb steeply uphill and continues to some steps. Just beyond the steps there is an amazing viewing platform, from which you will get a spectacular view of the falls. Return to the path and continue past the falls and continue uphill to cross a bridge. A picnic table situated on the riverbank here is a good spot to stop for refreshment.
From here follow the path into an area planted with Sitka spruce. Keep to the track marked by the green waymarkers as it heads through this dark part, going through a gap in a wall and eventually arriving at a sign pointing to an Iron Age fort. Turn off to look at the remains of the ramparts then retrace your steps to the sign and continue your route along the path.
Cross over a bridge by another waterfall and then follow more waymarkers to a clearing and a viewpoint. Sit on the bench here and enjoy the panoramic view across the wooded glen. From here you can see the full extent of the impressive Glenashdale Falls as the water cascades over the top. A waymarker points uphill through a densely wooded area before ending at a T-junction with a forest road.
Turn right on to the forest road and continue, crossing water at a ford and going through three kissing gates until the route continues on a metalled road. Continue along this road, go over a crossroads and wind downhill. Turn right at a T-junction and then walk 200yds (183m) back to the car park at the start.
Millions of years ago this area was a hot and barren desert. During what geologists refer to as the Permian period, 270 million years ago, the underlying red sandstone gradually formed from sand dunes. On top of this a sill (layer) of igneous rocks was laid down in the Tertiary period 210 million... years later. The Glenashdale Sill The Tertiary sill at Glenashdale is about 100ft (30m) thick and composed of several types of igneous rock, the major part being quartz-dolerite. When this is harder than the surrounding rock, it stands proud as the softer rocks are eroded. At Glenashdale continual erosion has created these spectacular waterfalls and, where the stream and the waterfall have cut into the Glenashdale sill, it is easy to examine the now exposed structure of the rocks. Following the stream up from the waterfall, the banks and bed of the stream reveal the dark- and medium-grained igneous rocks with a few specks of pyrites - a shiny yellow mineral. Southwest of the falls there are veins of a dark basalt. Pack one of those small geological field guides in your backpack, or in a pocket, and use the photographs to help identify the different kinds of rock found on the route. Native and Exotic Trees A field guide to trees could also prove useful although several of the trees have been conveniently labelled. There is an abundance of native trees like the alder, hazel, downy birch, oak, ash and rowan. The latter, also called the mountain ash, has bright red berries in the autumn and in Scottish folklore was used for warding off witches. You'll also find a wide variety of unusual and exotic trees in the glen. The Siberian crab has white flowers and small green berries which may eventually turn into bright red fruits. You'll also come across large specimens of the Douglas fir. This evergreen native of North America is extensively planted in Europe to provide high grade timber but seldom reaches its maximum height of 328ft (100m). Most European specimens tend to be around 180ft (55m). Other North American species include the Great fir and the Sitka spruce. This fast-growing conifer often reaches heights of 197ft (60m) and although it thrives in a range of soils, it is particularly suited to the mild, wet Scottish climate. Growing on the edge of the path you'll find the heart-shaped leaves of wood sorrel with its long-stalked, white, bell-like flowers during April and May. There's a profusion of red campion and the scent of wild honeysuckle and wild garlic mingle with the pine tang of the wood. Look out for the yellow pimpernel, with its star-like flowers, in May and August.
North Ayrshire clings to Scotland’s west coast and reaches out into the Firth of Clyde, claiming Arran as its own. Often described as ‘Scotland in miniature’, the scenic island of Arran, caught between the Ayrshire coast and the Kintyre Peninsula, has been a popular holiday resort for generations of Clydesiders, with excellent opportunities for outdoor activities around the island.
"Enjoy this short, scenic woodland walk discovering the Isle of Arran's ancient bedrock"
Walk details
2hrs
Difficulty:
Medium
Gradient:
Moderate
Distance:
2.75 miles (4.4kms)
Ascent:
442ft (135m)
Walk directions
From the car park turn right on to the road, cross it and turn left on to the footpath, signposted 'Giants' Graves and Glenashdale Falls'. Follow this leafy lane until it reaches the rear of a house, then continue on the path along the riverbank. Go through a gate, pass a forest walks sign and then continue until you reach a signpost pointing in the direction of the Giants' Graves.
1 of 6
The path forks here. Go right, following the sign to Glenashdale Falls. The path continues, rising gently through a wooded area, where several of the trees are identified by small labels fixed to the trunks. Continue uphill on this path, which is marked by the occasional waymarker, crossing a bridge and fording a shallow section of the burn.
2 of 6
Eventually the path starts to climb steeply uphill and continues to some steps. Just beyond the steps there is an amazing viewing platform, from which you will get a spectacular view of the falls. Return to the path and continue past the falls and continue uphill to cross a bridge. A picnic table situated on the riverbank here is a good spot to stop for refreshment.
3 of 6
From here follow the path into an area planted with Sitka spruce. Keep to the track marked by the green waymarkers as it heads through this dark part, going through a gap in a wall and eventually arriving at a sign pointing to an Iron Age fort. Turn off to look at the remains of the ramparts then retrace your steps to the sign and continue your route along the path.
4 of 6
Cross over a bridge by another waterfall and then follow more waymarkers to a clearing and a viewpoint. Sit on the bench here and enjoy the panoramic view across the wooded glen. From here you can see the full extent of the impressive Glenashdale Falls as the water cascades over the top. A waymarker points uphill through a densely wooded area before ending at a T-junction with a forest road.
5 of 6
Turn right on to the forest road and continue, crossing water at a ford and going through three kissing gates until the route continues on a metalled road. Continue along this road, go over a crossroads and wind downhill. Turn right at a T-junction and then walk 200yds (183m) back to the car park at the start.
Millions of years ago this area was a hot and barren desert. During what geologists refer to as the Permian period, 270 million years ago, the underlying red sandstone gradually formed from sand dunes. On top of this a sill (layer) of igneous rocks was laid down in the Tertiary period 210 million... years later. The Glenashdale Sill The Tertiary sill at Glenashdale is about 100ft (30m) thick and composed of several types of igneous rock, the major part being quartz-dolerite. When this is harder than the surrounding rock, it stands proud as the softer rocks are eroded. At Glenashdale continual erosion has created these spectacular waterfalls and, where the stream and the waterfall have cut into the Glenashdale sill, it is easy to examine the now exposed structure of the rocks. Following the stream up from the waterfall, the banks and bed of the stream reveal the dark- and medium-grained igneous rocks with a few specks of pyrites - a shiny yellow mineral. Southwest of the falls there are veins of a dark basalt. Pack one of those small geological field guides in your backpack, or in a pocket, and use the photographs to help identify the different kinds of rock found on the route. Native and Exotic Trees A field guide to trees could also prove useful although several of the trees have been conveniently labelled. There is an abundance of native trees like the alder, hazel, downy birch, oak, ash and rowan. The latter, also called the mountain ash, has bright red berries in the autumn and in Scottish folklore was used for warding off witches. You'll also find a wide variety of unusual and exotic trees in the glen. The Siberian crab has white flowers and small green berries which may eventually turn into bright red fruits. You'll also come across large specimens of the Douglas fir. This evergreen native of North America is extensively planted in Europe to provide high grade timber but seldom reaches its maximum height of 328ft (100m). Most European specimens tend to be around 180ft (55m). Other North American species include the Great fir and the Sitka spruce. This fast-growing conifer often reaches heights of 197ft (60m) and although it thrives in a range of soils, it is particularly suited to the mild, wet Scottish climate. Growing on the edge of the path you'll find the heart-shaped leaves of wood sorrel with its long-stalked, white, bell-like flowers during April and May. There's a profusion of red campion and the scent of wild honeysuckle and wild garlic mingle with the pine tang of the wood. Look out for the yellow pimpernel, with its star-like flowers, in May and August.
North Ayrshire clings to Scotland’s west coast and reaches out into the Firth of Clyde, claiming Arran as its own. Often described as ‘Scotland in miniature’, the scenic island of Arran, caught between the Ayrshire coast and the Kintyre Peninsula, has been a popular holiday resort for generations of Clydesiders, with excellent opportunities for outdoor activities around the island.
