Walks, Viewpoints and Picnic Areas

Forestry Commission
With various detailed maps of trails and wooded walks in the locality the Forestry Commission offer strolls, walks and treks through some of the most beautiful parts of the region; including Crinan Wood, Dalavich Oakwood Trail and the Lochaweside Forest Walk. Tel: 01631 566 155.

The Forest
The forests are mainly coniferous and produce large volumes of timber annually for British Industry. The early foresters used a variety of European and North American conifers and the most successful in these wet peaty soils has undoubtedly been the Sitka Spruce. Other trees which have grown well are Norway Spruce and Japanese Larch though you'll also be able to see examples of Douglas Fir, Noble and Grand Firs, Western Hemlock, Lodgepole Pine, Scots Pine, Western Red Cedar and European Larch.
Most of the common Scottish Broadleaves are also present: Oak, Ash, Whych Elm, Birch, Rowan, Hazel, Alder, Willow and Sallow, Holly and some planted Beech.

Recreation in the Forest
Inverliever and Eredine have nearly 90 miles of forest roads, all freely open to the public on foot except when timber harvesting is in progress. In addition to six waymarked walks there are also the old public rights of way, one from Kilchrenan to Kilmore and the String of Lorn route leading north from Loch Avich. On the Eredine side there is the old route from Durran to Auchindrain; OS maps are recommended to help follow these walks.
On all walks stout footwear is advised, although only the Loch Avich Walk and the three rights of way are very wet and rough. Some walks and many forest roads are accessible, at least in part, to wheelchairs with assistance.

Picnic Areas and Viewpoints
In addition to the forest walks there are a number of other places to visit in the forest.

Otter Viewpoint ~ Near Kilchrenan there is a small signposted car park. A short walk from the car park leads to a panoramic view of the north end of the loch. In the foreground the island and peninsula of Achachenna were favourite places for otters.

Dorlin Point Picnic Place ~ This remote but beautiful grassy headland gives access to the shores of Loch Avich, with views of hills and forest. On an island off the point are the atmospheric ruins of Caistel na Nighinn Ruaidhe, the Castle of the Red Haired Maiden.

Kilmaha Viewpoint ~ A Car Park with spectacular views of Loch Awe from the heights of Kilmaha. There is also a small picnic area. Just to the north, at the Tower Road junction, is a small viewpoint with views over forest and loch to Ben Cruachan

Francy's Viewpoint ~ A third viewpoint in this scenic part of the forest lies just below the public road, a mile north of Kilmaha Viewpoint. This is named "Francy's Viewpoint"; in honour of the last Chief Forester of Inverliever, George Francy, MBE. "McKenzie';s Grove" (which the viewpoint overlooks) is named after his worthy predecessor Ian McKenzie.

Eredine Picnic Places ~ There are two small picnic areas on the Eredine side of the Loch, at Ardray and Latham's Grove. There are no waymarked trails at Eredine, but most of the forest roads offer good walks with attractive woodlands, and spectacular views.