Argyll Forest Park

Argyll Forest Park is a land of craggy peaks and hidden glens, peaceful sea lochs and rushing rivers. Established in 1935, it’s Britain’s oldest Forest Park – and some folk say it’s the best!

The park stretches from the Holy Loch, an inlet of the Firth of Clyde, to the jagged peaks of the Arrochar Alps. It owes its rugged scenery to being at one end of the Highland Boundary Fault, the great crack in the Earth’s surface that marks the line between Lowland and Highland Scotland.

Wild places, but easy to reach

Although it’s only a short distance from Glasgow, it’s easy to find wild places here. Head to Ardentinny for relaxing, easy trails along a river and through bluebell woods, or Glenbranter to watch red squirrels. Just next to the holiday resort of Dunoon, Corlarach is a great place to get away from it all and perhaps glimpse red deer.

Marvellous mountain biking

The park has some fantastic cross-country mountain biking routes. There’s a whole network of trails from Ardgartan, including a circuit round the peninsula that makes a thrilling day out.

Guide map to Argyll Forest Park Map (PDF 4.6MB)

Larch disease in Argyll Forest Park

Phytophthora ramorum is an incurable disease that kills larch trees. It was first found in Argyll Forest Park in 2016 and has the potential to expand and kill more. To help prevent it spreading further, we are currently felling a number of areas across the Forest Park. Learn more about the disease, where felling operations are taking place and how you can help at our Phytophthora ramorum webpage.