Barnaline

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Discover lovely woodland in Barnaline

There are waymarked trails to suit everyone here, and plenty of space to explore the forest roads by foot. You can wander for miles through oak and conifer woodlands and catch glorious loch views all year round.

In springtime the oaks burst into a flurry of green and primroses carpet the ground. In autumn, try a visit after it’s been raining: the Avich waterfalls can be very impressive.

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Life's essentials

The nearest public toilets and places to eat are in Dalavich.

Walking trails

Avich Falls Trail

A lovely riverside trail to reach a series of thundering rapids at Avich Falls.

Firm gravel surface with uneven and grassy sections. Some steep slopes. Includes a bridge and a section along quiet roads.

1 ½ miles /
2.4 km
Allow
1 hour

More information...

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Avich Falls are lovely all year round but even more spectacular after heavy rain or surrounded by the changing autumn colours.

Dalavich Oakwood Trail

A delightful route that explores Dalavich’s ancient Atlantic oakwoods, which are full of mosses, ferns and wildlife and provide great views over Loch Awe.

Wide, firm gravel and grassy surface with long uneven sections. Some steep slopes. Parts may be muddy after heavy rain. Includes two bridges with adjacent fords and some low branches.

2 miles /
3.2 km
Allow
1 hour

More information...

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This is a delightful circular route through an ancient semi-natural oakwood, now part of the Caledonian Forest Reserve. Hundreds of years ago it was used for charcoal production – today the only sign of industry is the sound of birds and squirrels collecting seeds and berries for their young.

Cycling trails

Mountain biking trails

Find an adventure

The forest roads and tracks are great fun on mountain bike or horseback. Take a map and compass - and explore!

Wander among the oaks

The trails at Barnaline are a good place for wildlife watching and worth visiting at different times of day and any time of year. You might see red squirrels at first light and pine martens at dusk.

The trails go through some of the finest remnant oakwoods in Scotland. Dalavich oakwoods are part of the Caledonian Forest Reserve. For many years we have been removing conifer trees here and expanding and restoring these ancient woodlands to encourage new plants and wildlife. Changing a forest habitat is a slow process, but we think the results so far are very positive.

Contact: West Argyll Forest District

Address: Whitegates, Lochgilphead, Argyll

Postcode: PA31 8RS

Telephone: 0300 067 6650

Email: westargyll@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

How to get here

From Lochgilphead take the A816 north and turn right onto the B840 about a mile (1.6 km) after Kilmartin. At the red phone box in Ford, turn onto the unclassified road and follow it for 10 miles (16 km) to Dalavich. Just beyond Dalavich you'll see the car park on your left, at grid reference NM 969 138.

Using SatNav?

PA35 4AB is the nearest postcode before you reach the car park.

Nearby places

There are forest walks near Loch Awe at Glen Nant and Cruachan and more trails at Crinan and Knapdale. Our guide map on The Forests of Mid Argyll and Kintyre will help you discover more wonderful woodlands.

The Oban - Campbeltown National Cycle route runs through the forest - for details see NCN 78 map.