footpath

A walk I’ve been wanting to do far a while. Originally intended on doing this in January but on advice I waited till the shooting season has finished. Pheasant season finishes on the 1st of February and starts again 1st of October. The early part of the year is a good time to do this walk as all the bracken has died back, making it easier to navigate the path.
The footpath joins up two shooting estates that border the shores of Loch Striven and connects the C10 to the B836.
It’s a Right of Way as publicised by HERITAGE PATHS that covers just over 4.7 miles each way following an old track through natural woodlands between the two esates.

There isn’t any signs for the Pathway on the Glenstriven side,so it’s advisable to get a copy of an OS Map. The path is detailed on both 1:50k and 1:25k.
Starting off from Glenstriven it was an easy walk through the estate,firstly turning left onto the shore road and following it past the cottages,over the bridge and uphill to the turn off point.

Parking

Start of the Estate

Paved access

Shore Rd

Past the cottages

Boathouse , looking back

Left,down towards the shore

Loch Striven

Continuing uphill

The turn off at apex of the bend.

Once on the track there was an option of left or right,right being the wise choice. The path is defined by a narrow track winding its way through the heather then on to more open ground and woodland.

Narrow trail

Open hillside

Ardbeg ruins on far side of Loch

Old gate

The map shows a number of Fords to cross,but these are easily negotiated.
The remainder of Bot nan Creagan can also be founf en route.

One of the Fords

Path

Sheep fank ?

Views up the Loch

Ruins of Bot nan Creagan

Onwards to Ardtaraig,the path still well defined. Some sections do fade away but are picked up again in no time. There’s a number of trees down over the path,but these are easly negotiated either by threading yourself through them or going round the obstacle.

Path

PAth

Trees down

…and cleared

Loch n hills

Pass the boulder

Mussel Farm

The gated Boundary between the Estates.The Ardtaraig side is the smaller section,once through the gate its a short section of path then onto the hardcore road. I went round the front of the first house/chalet along the beach then up onto the road.
From here it’s straight on towards the big house then passing to the right of the barn with green doors.

Boundary Gate

1st Sign

Short path section

Shore at the Chalet

Road

Stile

Ardtaraig house

Pass to the right of the building with green doors

The final section once through the back of the estate is to pass the next barn to the right,heading over the bridge and follow the path as it winds it’s way to the B836, you have arrived at your destination! Well…retrace your steps to pick up the car!