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.

Corlarach route card (PDF)

Walking trails (2)

Walking

Berry Burn Trail (closed)

A trail notice is in effect

The Berry Burn Trail is closed to allow repairs to be made to the trail after recent felling operations. Please follow all onsite signage and instruction.

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

Balgaidh Burn Trail (diverted)

A trail notice is in effect

The Balgaidh Burn Trail remains Diverted, to allow safe removal of recently felled trees. Please follow all onsite signage and instruction.

Climb to the top of the forest for superb panoramic views across Cowal and the Firth of Clyde. Return via the charming mixed woods along Balgaidh Burn.

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

3 miles / 4.8 km

Allow
2 hours

Cycling trails (1)

Cycling

Corlarach Loop

A trail notice is in effect

• Please be aware of road building works taking place in number of locations throughout Corlarach forest.  Please follow all onsite safety signage and instructions.
• There are also still a lot of trucks hauling cut timber out of the forest, do not pass lorries if they are loading until instructed to do so by the operator.

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 uphil from the Pier Esplanade. Plan your journey at Traveline Scotland.

Get directions

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