Ardentinny

Cowal's longest sandy beach

Picnic beside Cowal's longest sandy beach and explore Ardentinny's varied network of woodland trails.

The beach is washed by the waters of Loch Long, familiar to Viking fleets and Gaelic raiders. During the second world war, Royal Navy beach commandos even trained for the Normandy landings here.

Walking trails

Ardentinny route card (PDF)

Walking

Riverside Trail

Enjoy a gentle stroll along Glenfinart Burn to the Arched Bridge beneath exotic monkey puzzles, cypresses and firs.

Firm tarmac and gravel surface throughout, with some loose stones. Generally flat with one short fairly steep ramp or adjacent steps. Look out for vehicles along the access road.

¾ miles / 1.3 km

Allow
½ hour

More information

Along the way you'll pass the old walled garden of Glenfinart House and in springtime a gorgeous range of snowdrops, daffodils and bluebells.

Walking

Laird's Trail (closed)

A trail notice is in effect

The Laird's Grave trail is currently closed due to a large number of windblown trees. We are working to remove these as swiftly as possible.

A varied route around the attractive shoreline at Finart Bay. Climb through the larch forest to the Laird’s Grave for great views across Loch Long.

Wide, firm tarmac and gravel surface, with some loose stones and a slightly uneven section. Some fairly steep slopes. Includes two openings 0.9m wide and a section along the road.

2 miles / 3.3 km

Allow
1 hour

More information

The Laird's Grave dates from 1860 and is that of Archibald Douglas, Laird of Ardentinny. In the sunny fields below, a Forestry Commission nursery raised thousands of seedlings for forests throughout Scotland.

Walking

Birchwood Trail

A short walk that climbs through native birch and oak woodland above the crags of Lover’s Leap, before returning down Grotto Burn.

Firm but uneven surface, with grassy and rocky sections that are narrow and potentially muddy in places. Long steep slopes for 400m and some steps.

1 miles / 1.6 km

Allow
¾ hour

Facilities and access

Walking

Toilets

Parking

Cycling

Picnic area

There are public toilets at the picnic site open fall year round. Toilets are also available in Ardentinny village.

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 2022.

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

• Height barrier – No
• Motorhome capacity of car park – 8
• Suitable for large vehicles/caravans – No
• Access notes - Narrow public road with passing places and some potholes
• Parking notes – Please do not park on the grass. Leave a 4m gap between other motorhomes.

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

Head north from Ardentinny village. The car park is on the right after 1 mile, just beyond the entrance to Glenfinart Caravan Park.

Using SatNav?

PA23 8TS is the nearest postcode.

Public transport

Local buses run from Dunoon to Ardentinny village. You can access the beach from the north end of the village. Plan your journey at Traveline Scotland.

Get directions