Ardgartan

Endless trails through an area of vast natural beauty

Where the lively Croe Water washes the foot of the Cobbler is a dramatic landscape that has attracted travellers for centuries. Make your own journey along the tree-lined river as it tumbles towards Loch Long. Salmon swim in its waters, while otters play where it meets the loch.  Each spring, the Croe Water’s banks are draped with swathes of bluebells.

Walking trails

Ardgartan route card (PDF)

Walking

Riverside Trail

A delightful stroll through the beech and oak woodland alongside the sparkling Croe Water.

Firm gravel surface with some grassy and uneven sections. Includes some exposed tree roots and very muddy sections. Two short steep slopes, a bridge and some broad steps.

1 ½ miles / 2.4 km

Allow 1 hour

More information

Watch for red squirrels scampering among the trees and listen for the many species of birds that live in the forest. Otters live here too: you might see their footprints or tail marks on the sandy shore, or if you're very lucky catch sight of one in the river’s large pools.

Activities

Explore further

The network of trails here is very popular with bikers looking for fun cross-country rides. They're good to walk along too. For an interesting route between two forests, try the link route between here and Arrochar forest.

Facilities and access

Cycling

Parking

Stay the Night

Toilets

Walking

There are public toilets at Ardgartan. There are shops and cafes in Arrochar village, a few miles to the east.

If you’d like more time here, why not book a holiday cabin with Forest Holidays.

Stay the Night

Stay the Night continues to run through to 31 October 2024. This means self-contained motorhomes and campervans will be able to park overnight for one night in some of our car parks.

There is a £7 charge to Stay the Night at this car park. 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 – No
• Parking notes – Park in rear car park (across bridge then on right side) to enable easier exit. Please leave a 4m gap between other motorhomes and ensure access to the forest road is unrestricted.

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

Stay the night

Car parking information

There is no charge to park in this car park. Please park with care and consideration. In particular please park in designated parking areas only and do not block entrances or gates.

More about parking

Getting here

Ardgartan car park lies on the south side of the A83 between Loch Long and the Rest and Be Thankful, 3 miles west of Arrochar.

If coming from the direction of Arrochar, ignore the 'Forest Holidays' turning; Ardgartan is ½ mile beyond this.

Using SatNav?

G83 7AS is the nearest postcode, about 1 mile along the road towards Inveraray.

Public transport

Buses heading from Glasgow to Inveraray and beyond can stop next to the entrance to Ardgartan. Plan your journey at Traveline Scotland.

Get directions