Ariundle Oakwoods, Strontian

The walk starts from the Ariundle Oakwoods car park north of Strontian. It follows the wide track signed with an oak leaf into the woods. Where the way forks, it takes the right-hand path down to a wooden bridge over the Strontian River, then follows the riverside path upstream through the trees. Further up the glen it rejoins the main track, which leads back down through the oakwood to the car park.

It is 4.6 km with 33 m of ascent; allow about 1¼ hours. The grade is Easy: on good waymarked tracks and paths.

Ariundle is one of the finest remnants of the Atlantic oakwoods that once lined the west coast. The trees are hung with mosses, lichens and ferns, and the woods are a national nature reserve. For centuries they supplied charcoal for the lead-smelting furnaces down the glen at Strontian. The riverside path can be muddy after rain. A waymarked path on the northern slopes, past an old croft, makes a longer walk if you have time.

Parking is free. There is no station nearby.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.