I’ve alway wanted to take on the trail known as the Twister. This trail involves a loop round the top of Glenbranter using the forestry roads with a descent on a purpose built section of single track. Starting off and finishing at the Forestry Commissions head quarters in Glenbranter,there’s plenty of parking available.
Please see below Route Card,Pictures and Interactive Map.
If your looking for a route to build up fitness and skill,this is it !!!
GPX file for GPS units/ Viewranger App can be downloaded by clicking here ( Click on the icon top right with the three horizontal bars). You may have to register with Viewranger, but it’s free.
Routecard
Found these videos in Youtube showing the sections of the Twister,ideal.
Route:Toward Hall to Glenbranter Forestry Office. Length: 26.2 miles 41.9 km Ascent: +1345m -1327m Naismith: 10h 38m (walking pace) Terrain : Forestry road and short sections of rural paved road.
I was looking to create a route similar in distance to the Loch Eck Loop, a route that isn’t weather dependent (lower level) or to difficult to navigate but still giving rewarding views. As always staying away from public roads as much as possible and making the route manageable in smaller sections if need be. The availability of public transport is always a bonus. The route can be either cycled or walked and tackled in either direction.
A scenic route, starting from Toward, South Cowal extending to Glenbranter,south of Strachur.
Leaving Toward,heading north, passing above Innellan and Dunoon enjoying view over the Firth of Clyde. Continuing through to Glenkin and on to Glenmassan, before heading to Benmore and finishing at Glenbranter.
I’m going to aim for the 26.2 miles as that’d make it a marathon, should Cowal ever hold it’s own Marathon Trail Run
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0 miles to 9.5 miles.
Had an afternoon off work, so managed to cover the south section of Route 26. Toward Hall to the link bridge in Bishops Glen,Dunoon. Works in at exactly 9.5 miles.
Got to Toward via a lift but there is a bus service that takes you to the start point.
Further route info available on an interactive map with Route,Statistics and Pictures, click below.
Interactive map HERE.
Pictures from walk,due to light and conditions pictures aren’t the best but give an idea of views and route.
9.5 to 17.65 miles
A wet and windy Sunday morning! Might as well record some of the route in the worst conditions!!
Started off where section 1 finished at the link bridge at the Bishops Glen. This route takes in, Dunoon, Sandbank, Glenkin, Ballochyle, Lower Glenmassan and Benmore with lots to see ( weather permitting ).
Bridge to Bridge came in at 8.15 miles and took me 2hr 45mins, that’s including stopping for pics but little else in the conditions.
See below for pictures and interactive map.
Viewranger have made it possible to view pictures from the route rather than the track only. Clicking on the camera icon at each location should bring up a picture below the map. You can zoom in and out and pan round the map. Any feedback welcome on this mapping system.
I finally got round to recording the final section of route 26. This section starts off at Benmore Gardens and finishes at Glenbranter. A scenic loch side journey.
Once I’d figured out where the 26.2 accumulative total ended, I continued the loop of Loch Eck, decided to take the bike for this section so I could get the miles in.
The mathematics were done,I needed 8.55 miles to get the the 26.2 from the bridge at Benmore. Now,whilst it’s not an exact science but this distance brought me to a forestry gate,right in front of Glenshellish farm……an excellent finishing point.
Interactive map with pictures can be found by clicking HERE. It’s for the full Loch Eck Loop but details the western flank of the loch for Route 26. Could always continue and make the route an Ultra!! (38.5ish miles).
There marks the end of Route 26. Its an extra half mile to the Forestry Commissions office.
Now just to piece it all together in one run and report back.
Some scenic footage of sections 2 & 3. Dunoon to Glenbranter.
Approx. 11 miles
Duration. 2hrs on the move, plus stops .
Looking forward to getting out on my new purchase (well new to me) ,the bike was loaded into the back of the motor ready for an early start.
Headed for Glenbranter picking up Martin ‘Mears’ and his trusty stead en route. Parking beyond the FCS offices at the events car park it wasn’t long till we were on our way.
Choosing to take the Blue route. The Glenshellish Loop, a route suitable for beginners and families, approx 7 miles long. An ideal choice since I’ve not been on a bike for 10 years!! However in addition to this the Glenbranter Glen was added, giving an additional 3-4 miles.
Heading towards Glenshellish Farm over the bridge and taking the road on the immediate right. The route is well marked by posts at junctions, it continues up the East side of the Glen. There is a picnic bench for a wee stop at 3 miles into the loop just prior to the Ford crossing. The return via the West side to Glenbranter was mostly downhill.
Before heading back into Glenbranter we took a sharp left followed by a long climb then a sharp right, heading to Glenbranter Glen. A road leads off this section downhill to the right, marked by both Red Route and Cowal Way markers.
Again, at the bottom if the hill you follow the East side of the Glen on a less defined forestry road. Reaching the top of the Glen there’s a deep Ford to cross! We however went up stream, crossing at a shallower narrower section.
Safely across
Once across, the going is not to bad. Another Ford in a dip must be crossed but at this time it had little water passing through it. The run back down the West side again, like Glenshellish was mostly downhill and good progress made.
On the return we passed the Red Route again where the downhill section joins the road from the left. Continuing along the Red Route drops away to the right, unfortunately the lower section is closed for now due to wind blown trees. Beyond this a crossing where the roads meet lets we headed straight down the hill to the back of the Lauder car park, where we returned to the Events car park via a surfaced road.
I great cycle today, especially as a reintroduction to Mountain Biking.
Explore Cowal 
