Friday, 06 Dec 2024
Are you planning to visit any of our forests? It’s important to always follow our safety signage and…
Storm Darragh has washed out Grinian Car Park resulting in us having to close this facility. Sections of the trails have been damaged but remain open to visitors. We are working to fix this damage and apologise for the inconvenience caused.
Take a stroll around the village and out along the shore, or explore the Deer Hill Trail in Carradale Forest which takes you to the craggy summit of Cnoc nan Gabhar. From here, you can enjoy spectacular views across Kilbrannan Sound to Arran. The forest is a haven for wildlife, so look out for deer, red and black grouse and many birds of prey.
Enjoy an eagle’s eye view over Carradale Bay and Kilbrannan Sound from the rocky summit of Cnoc nan Gabhar.
Prolonged steep slopes for up to 600m. Uneven grassy paths with rough, narrow and muddy sections.
Allow 2 ½ hours
This strenuous route leads you through woodland and open moorland dotted with bright rhododendrons to the summit of Cnoc nan Ghabar. Enjoy a magnificent panorama over Carradale Glen, Kilbrannan Sound and Arran. Spot Ben Cruachan, Argyll’s highest point, to the north. This is called Deer Hill for good reason – look out for red, roe, fallow and sika deer, as well as moorland birds amongst the heather, and golden eagles and hen harriers overhead.
Look out for red and roe deer amongst the mature trees and butterflies and sika deer in open sunny glades around the younger trees. These grassy areas are also home to voles, the favourite food of birds of prey like buzzards and kestrels.
Head up onto higher ground to find moorland birds amongst the heather and perhaps see a golden eagle circling overhead. Alternatively, visit Carradale village and stroll beside Kilbrannan Sound, where you might be lucky enough to see basking sharks or leaping salmon.
Carradale is on the route of the 100 mile Kintyre Way, a waymarked long distance trail that criss-crosses the lovely Kintyre peninsula between Tarbert and Dunaverty.
You can also explore the Kintyre peninsula following National Cycle Route 78, which passes close to Carradale.
There are public toilets and a selection of places to eat, drink and shop in Carradale and the wider East Kintyre area. There’s also a tea room with tourist information at the Carradale Network Centre – check for their opening hours.
The charges to park at this forest car park are:
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.
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.
Valid at Braveheart (Glen Nevis), Loch Linnhe, Loch Oich, Aros Park (Mull), North Face, Ariundle, Glencoe Lochan, Glengarry, Glen Righ, Àrd-Àirigh, Garbh Eilean Wildlife Hide, Barnluasgan, Sutherland's Grove, Strone Hill, Glen Lochy, Bridge of Orchy, Fearnoch, Carradale (Grianan), Carradale (Port Na Storm), Ardcastle, Achnabreac.
Valid at all Forestry and Land Scotland car parks except Tentsmuir.
The Deer Hill Trail starts at the Port Na Storm car park, which can be found on the left as entering Carradale village.
The north end of the forest can be accessed via Grianan car park. This can be found on the east side of the B842, half way between Dippen and Grogport.
PA28 6SB is the nearest postcode for Port na Storm car park.
PA28 6QJ is the nearest for Grianan, but about a mile south of the site.
There are regular buses from Campbeltown to Carradale. Plan your journey at Traveline Scotland.
Have a question or suggestion for improvement?
A mixture of forest and coast, with open views and the famous King's Cave
Explore the castle grounds and forests with views over Brodick Bay
Start exploring Arran, with cairns, standing stones and lots of red squirrels