Ardcastle

Adventure up gentle hills and along pebble beaches

The forest roads and paths that criss-cross the woods running down to the loch shore are ideal for walking, cycling and horse-riding – and there are plenty of scenic picnic spots to enjoy the views or watch for wildlife.

Ardcastle is part of Kilmichael Forest, which stretches between Lochgilphead and Minard. This is a busy working forest, producing many thousand tonnes of timber each year, much of which is used to make paper. There are plenty of peaceful places in this large forest for taking in the views, looking out for wildlife or enjoying trails on foot, bike or horse-back.

Keep an eye out for common seals on the loch, and red squirrels and deer in the forest. You’ll find the ancient and atmospheric ruins of St Bride’s Chapel amongst the trees here too.

Walking trails

Ardcastle route card (PDF)

Walking

Hazel Burn Trail

Wind through the woods to discover where the burn that flows from Lochan Dubh in the hills above Ardcastle meets the shore of Loch Fyne.

Uneven gravel and grassy surface, with some steep slopes. Includes some very muddy sections.

2 ¾ miles / 4.4 km

Allow
2 hours

More information

Wind through the woods to discover where the burn that flows from Lochan Dubh (the ‘little black loch’) in the hills above Ardcastle meets the sea. The trail follows a path above the pebbly beach beside Loch Fyne. It’s a perfect spot to relax and admire the across to the Cowal peninsula. Watch out for seals, seabirds and maybe even an otter.

Walking

Ardcastle Point Trail

For the more adventurous, this trail takes in many of Ardcastle Forest’s highlights, including a meander along the water’s edge of Loch Gair and Loch Fyne. Stop to take in the views across the water to the Cowal peninsula from the pebbly beach or at the two picnic sites along the way. 

Watch out for seals, seabirds and otters off the beach and spot butterflies in summertime at the sand quarry. This trail also leads you past the ruins of ancient St Bride’s Chapel and its small graveyard, overlooking Loch Gair. The trail also rises above the shoreline to avoid the working timber pier.

Watch out for seals, seabirds and otters off the beach and spot butterflies in summertime at the sand quarry. This trail also leads you past the ruins of ancient St Bride’s Chapel and its small graveyard, overlooking Loch Gair. The trail also rises above the shoreline to avoid the working timber pier.

Uneven grassy paths with long muddy sections. Short rough, narrow path out to Ardcastle Point. Several steep slopes. Mostly wide, with some low branches.

5 miles / 8.0 km

Allow
3½ hours

More information

Watch out for seals, seabirds and otters off the beach and spot butterflies in summertime at the sand quarry. This trail also leads you past the ruins of ancient St Bride’s Chapel and its small graveyard, overlooking Loch Gair. The trail also rises above the shoreline to avoid the working timber pier.

Activities

Cycling and horse-riding at Ardcastle

The network of forest roads and paths here is perfect for exploring by bike or on horseback, with plenty of forest roads to choose from as you cycle through the trees near the shores of Loch Fyne.

Wildlife watching

The mix of woods and water here means this place is bursting with wildlife. You’re quite likely to see roe and sika deer, as well as red squirrels in the forest. There are pine marten here too, but you’re more likely to find evidence they’ve been here in the form of a black poo or scat than to see them…

Down by the lochside, look out for common seals and rafts of eider ducks diving for shellfish - the chunky black and white males are particularly distinctive. You may even spot an otter hunting for food along the water’s edge.

Facilities and access

Walking

Parking (charge)

Viewpoint

Horse riding

Picnic area

Stay the Night

Pick up a few essentials

You can find refreshments at nearby Minard village, plus public toilets and plenty of places to eat, drink and shop at Lochgilphead.

Learn more about the surrounding area by visiting the Heart of Argyll website.

Car parking information

The charges to park at this forest car park are:

• £1 for up to 1 hour – all vehicles
• £3 for all day
• Blue Badge holders park free. Please display your Blue Badge clearly.

Payment can be made using RingGo.

Please park with care and consideration. In particular please park in designated parking areas only and do not block entrances or gates. Nearby car parks with free parking can be found in our Forest Search, marked as a 'P' without the £ symbol.

Annual parking pass available:

Available in advance by downloading the application form and emailing to the Regional Office. Please read our Annual Pass terms and conditions (PDF) before applying.

More about parking

Stay the night

Motorhomes and campervans that are self-contained and have their own toilet facilities will be able to stay overnight at this car park from 1 April – 31 October 2023.

There is a £7 charge to Stay the Night at all participating car parks. Payment can be made through RingGo with details of how to do this at each car park.

To help plan your stay, please see the details below:

• Height barrier – No
• Motorhome capacity of car park – 3
• Suitable for large vehicles/caravans – 1 caravan or large motorhome only
• Parking notes – Long drive uphill to access car park. Please leave a 4m gap between other motorhomes. Watch out for timber lorries using road regularly. Please park considerately and safely, 24 hr access required at barrier.

Please visit our Stay the Night page for full details, participating locations, best practice, and terms and conditions of use.

Stay the night

Getting here

Ardcastle is on the A83 between Lochgair and Minard, on the western shore of Loch Fyne. From Lochgilphead, look for the turning for Ardcastle car park about 2 miles (3km) after Lochgair. From the north, the turning is about 3½ miles (5.5km) beyond Minard.

Using SatNav?

PA31 8SB is the nearest postcode, but please note that this in Lochgair village.

Public transport

There are regular buses between Glasgow and Campbeltown via Lochgilphead that stop at Lochgair and Minard. Find details at Traveline Scotland.

Get directions