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Wild About Lochaber

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Salen Oakwoods

  • A walk into the temperate rainforest...
  • The board at the parking area for The Sunart Oakwoods walk
  • Loch Sunart from the Salen Oakwoods on a balmy summers day
  • The Sunart Oakwoods interpretation board
  • The picnic bench with good views over Salen and Loch Sunart at the start of the Salen Oakwoods walk
  • A lichen covered gateway at the entrance to the woods
  • Well defined paths on the Salen Oakwoods walk
  • A bench with a view at the southern end of the Salen Oakwoods walk
  • Over the oak tree tops to Loch Sunart on a Decembers day
  • Looking down Loch Sunart from teh Salen Oakwoods walk in December
  • A short boardwalk on the Salen Oakwoods walk
  • The Gaelic Alphabet Trail - N  is for nuin - the gaelic name for an ash tree
  • The Ash tree easily identified by the gaelic alphabet board  - nuin
  • A rich ground flora of ferns in July on the Sunart Oakwoods walk
  • The Sunart oakwoods walk is well waymarked
  • Magnificant Atlantic Oakwoods in July - take time to soak up the atmosphere

Details

An interesting and enjoyable way-marked circular woodland walk through a lovely section of Atlantic oak woodland on the northern shore of Loch Sunart, with good coastal views of Salen Bay and Loch Sunart. 

The path is way marked and well defined, with a few small ascents and descents on route.  There is a picnic bench and interpretation boards near the car park and a viewing point with a bench on route.

The walk can be extended by crossing the A861 and joining the Alphabet Trail (sign-posted).

The walk provides a good opportunity to explore the mixed ground flora and the rich bryophytic and lichen communities associated with the oceanic deciduous woodland.

Look out for a range of woodland birds, including woodcock, as well as coastal birds and otters along the shores of Loch Sunart.

Route Details

1. Park at the lay by/car park, on the south east side of the A861, just south of Salen. There is an interpretation board describing the diversity and importance of the Atlantic Oakwood and a picnic bench at the start of the walk.  The picnic bench affords lovely views of Salen Bay and Loch Sunart on a fine day. 

The route gradually descends and follows the coast through this lovely section of mixed Atlantic oak woodland, following the marker posts on a well defined gravel/stone path.  The ground flora is particularly well developed consisting of Callluna-Vaccinum assemblages, with an abundance of ferns, including hard fern, Blechnum spicant.  The trees are strewn with epiphytic ferns, bryophytes and lichens. 

2. Go through a gate, and then keep left where the path diverges to ascend a small hill.  The route then descends providing good views of Loch Sunart through the trees.  There is a lovely bench and viewpoint where the path turns back towards Salen.  Continue straight on and back to the gate. 

Along the route, marker post indicate the trees associated with the Gaelic alphabet; each of its eighteen letters is associated with a particular species of tree.

3. Return by the same route to the car park.

Extension

The walk can be extended by crossing the A861 and joining the Alphabet Trail (sign-posted). The path leads to the lochan, turn left and loop around the lochan. From the lochan, follow the route as described for the Alphabet Trail. You can either return by the same path or walk on towards the picnic table and interpretation boards.

Location

starting grid ref: 

NM691645

grade: 

  • easy

terrain: 

woodland track

length: 

1.7 km (1.1 miles)

Type: 

  • circular

Map: 

OS Explorer Map 390 - Ardnamurchan

OS Map

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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

Ben Nevis Hotel and Leisure Club
Ben Nevis Hotel and Leisure Club

The Ben Nevis Hotel and Leisure Club is conviently situated just off the A82 a mile north of Fort William town Centre.   The Hotel has a restaurant and bar as well as a fitness centre, sauna, steam room, gym and 20m heated indoor swimming-pool.  A great base for relaxing whilst exploring Fort William, Glen Nevis and Lochaber.

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

Glencoe

Discover Glencoe

Glencoe and Loch Leven

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Walking

Walking

Take a Walk on The Wild Side...

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

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Fort William

Fort William

Fort William, The Outdoor Capital

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Wildlife

wildlife

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

Activities

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

Day Trps

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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