Corlarach

Hillside views over Dunoon and across the Firth of Clyde

Whether you have an hour or a day to spare, there's a trail here to suit you. The forest rises high above Dunoon giving you fabulous views over the Firth of Clyde and Loch Striven, as well as a great chance to see local wildlife.

Corlarach means 'common pasture' – a place where local folk used to graze their cattle and sheep. Those animals are gone, but you might be lucky enough to see grouse, roe deer, red deer and the many birds of prey which thrive here today.

Walking trails

Corlarach route card (PDF)

Walking

Berry Burn Trail

A trail notice is in effect

• This trail is particularly muddy after recent forestry work. Repair works will be starting soon.

Meander up through the young conifers for great views over Dunoon and the Clyde.

Uneven gravel and earth paths, with some narrow and muddy sections. Includes some long fairly steep slopes and two openings 1.1m wide.

2 miles / 3.3 km

Allow
1½ hours

Walking

Kilbride Hill Trail

A trail notice is in effect

Please Note, The Blue trail formerly known as the Balgaidh Burn Trail has been renamed as the Kilbride Hill Trail and has been slightly rerouted to remove a section of forest road from the trail. See the map on the panel in the car park for details.

Climb to the top of the forest for superb panoramic views across Cowal and the Firth of Clyde. 

Long steep slopes for up to half a mile. Uneven gravel paths, with earthy and rocky sections. Includes two openings 1.1m wide.

2 ¾ miles / 4.5 km

Allow
2 hours

Cycling trails

Cycling

Corlarach Loop

A trail notice is in effect

Forest roads may be affected by road building work or movement of timber trucks.

Please follow all safety signage and do not pass lorries being loaded with timber until instructed to do so.

Feel the excitement of exploring a forest by bike – you never know what wildlife you might encounter around the next corner!

There's a steep single-track section above Toward Farm, but generally the cycle trail follows undulating forest roads. Horse riders will need to cross a small ford in order to avoid a wooden footbridge.

12 ½ miles / 20.0 km

Allow
3 hours

More information

Corlarach forest can look impenetrable from below, but from the inside it’s a vibrant, interesting place, teeming with life. The first larch and spruce trees were planted here in 1948 and are now mature giants. Buzzards, kestrels and tawny owls hunt around them – listen out for their eerie cries as you ride.

Activities

Cycling and horse riding

The Corlarach Loop is a long trail suitable for bikes and horses. It offers great views down the Firth of Clyde when it passes our other local woodland at Ardyne.

Facilities and access

Walking

Parking

Cycling

Viewpoint

The nearest public toilets are back down the hill in Dunoon.

Getting here

The turning for the car park at Corlarach is on the west side of Kilbride Road in Dunoon, just south of the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.

Using SatNav?

PA23 7LN is the nearest postcode.

Public transport

There are lots of public transport options to Dunoon, although the forest entrance is a 1¼ mile walk uphill from the Pier Esplanade. Plan your journey at Traveline Scotland.

Get directions