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Garbh Eilean Wildlife Walk

  • Loch Sunart from the Garbh Eilean wildlife hide
  • the footpath to the otter hide
  • the forestry commission information board
  • signs to the two car parks and otter hide
  • Loch Sunart and the Garbh Eilean wildlife hide
  • The seat at the top of the Ardery Loop

Details

An occasionally steep, but well surfaced, gravel path meandering through native woodland from Ardery to the Garbh Eilean Wildlife Hide. The walk takes you through oak and birch woodland with an understory of mainly heather and bilberry (Calluna vulgaris, Vaccinium spp and Erica spp) and deer fern (Blechnum spicant), and with an abundance of mosses and lichens. Other tree species included Scots pines, larch and spruce.

The wildlife hide is a good place to see otter, seal, diving ducks and various coastal birds. There is a heronry on one of the islands in the loch. Also look out for white-tailed and golden eagle.

There are picnic benches at the car park at Ardery and also access to the loch side. There is another car park further west along the A861 closer to the hide with disabled parking facilities, however, the walk from Ardery is very pleasant and highly recommended.

Route details

1. Park at the car part at Ardery off the A861 and take the way marked path through mixed woodland to the hide keeping right with the path diverges. There is a fairly steep stepped ascent but this effort is rewarded by fine views over Loch Sunart. Descend towards the hide, turning left when you a reach a wider path (an all abilities route from the nearby car park). The path joins a boardwalk heading towards the hide.  The hide affords good views of Garbh Eliean and the surrounding small islands. 

2. Return by the same route, turning right where the path diverges for an alternative loop which takes you to a viewpoint over Loch Sunart and where there is a well placed bench. A great place to admire the views or have coffee break.

It is also possible to follow a small track down to the loch side from the bench where there are good views across Loch Sunart to the wildlife hide. However, please take care to be quiet to avoid any disturbance to the wildlife along the shoreline.

Location

starting grid ref: 

NM746619

Links to useful information

  • Garbh Eilean Wildlife Hide page

grade: 

  • easy

terrain: 

track - steep in places

length: 

1.5km (1 mile)

Type: 

  • there and back

Map: 

OS Explorer Map 390 - Ardnamurchan

OS Map

>>view map in full window

Google Map

Safety

Route details and information are provided in good faith.  All walking is potentially dangerous and it is your responsibility to ensure that you are properly dressed and equipped, have a map and compass, have checked and planned your route in advance and are able to navigate effectively.  Maps displayed on these walking pages are intended as an overview of the walk and are NOT suitable for navigation.  Please follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and respect landowners and residents' privacy.  Always check the weather forecast and let others know if you are walking in the hills.

Walking

  • Walking Overview
  • Map of All Walks
  • Ardnamurchan and Moidart
  • Arisaig, Mallaig and Glenfinnan
  • Fort William and Glen Nevis
  • Glencoe, Loch Leven & Argyll
Booking.com

Holiday Cottages in Fort William and Lochaber

Lime Tree An Ealdhain
Lime Tree An Ealdhain

The Lime Tree An Ealdhain Hotel is a small hotel with award winning restaurant and an art gallery on the west end of Fort William.  The hotel has 9 rooms, all ensuite with bath or shower.  Loch LInnhe is just across the road, and the shoreline along the promenade to Fort William is a good place to look out for otters!

Ardnamurchan Walking Pages

  • Alphabet Trail
  • Aoineadh Mor
  • Ardmolich Woodland Walk
  • Ardnastaing and Scotstown
  • Ardtornish Castle
  • Ariundle Oakwoods
  • Bay MacNeil Beach
  • Bay of Flies
  • Ben Hiant
  • Ben Resipole
  • Blain Burn Circular
  • Bourblaige Cleared Settlement
  • Camas nan Geall
  • Castle Tioram Circular
  • Castle Tioram Viewpoint
  • Claish Plantation
  • Corrantee Lead Mines from Ardnastaing
  • Corrantee Lead Mines from Polloch
  • Dalilea Walks
  • Dorlin Low Road
  • Fairy Walk
  • Fascadale and Port Eigin-aig
  • Galmadale Dam
  • Garbh Eilean Wildlife Walk
  • Ghardail Loop
  • Glen Moidart
  • Glenborrodale Nature Trail
  • Glendrian and Port Eigin-aig
  • Greadal Fhinn Chambered Cairn
  • Kentra Bay and The Singing Sands
  • Kentra Moss Circular
  • Kilmory Beach
  • Kinlochaline Low Road
  • Kinlochmoidart Old Road
  • Loch Teacuis Northside
  • Mingary Castle
  • Ockle to The Singing Sands
  • Polloch and Loch Shiel
  • Portuairk and Bay MacNeil
  • Portuairk to Sanna
  • Prince's Walk
  • Rahoy Hills - Black Water
  • Rahoy Hills - Loch Arienas
  • Salen Oakwoods
  • Shielfoot Torr
  • Silver Walk
  • Smirisary Walk
  • Sonachan Wood and Heathland
  • St Columba's Chapel, Drimnin
  • Strontian Community Woodland
  • Tennyson's Waterfall

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Glencoe and Loch Leven

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Walking

Walking

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with over 100 wildlife focused walks across Lochaber, you'll be spoilt for choice

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Fort William

Fort William

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Wildlife

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Wildlife

Home to Scotland's Big Five, red deer, golden eagle, otter, red squirrel, seals and so much more. A Wildlife Adventure Awaits.

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Ardnamurchan

West Highland Peninsulas

Ardnamurchan and The West Highland Peninsulas

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Activities

Activities

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kayaking, wildlife watching, cruising, cycling, golfing, climbing, skiing, slow adventures and many more things to do

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Road to The Isles

The Road to The Isles

The Road to The Isles

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Day Trips

Day trips

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Take off for the day to see the puffins on The Treshnish Isles, A Day trip to Mull, Skye, The Small Isles, The Most westerly point on the mainland and many more local ideas for a day out

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