Heather’s Treks – a canal through time
This walk explores a section of the Crinan Canal and its surrounds to offer a varied mix which can be undertaken as a whole or split into bite-sized chunks depending on ability and time. Starting with an ascent to the summit of Cruach Mor (214m), overlooking the Moine Mhor National Nature Reserve towards the ancient Iron Age Fort of Dunadd, the walk leads past the tumbling falls of Dunardry Burn down to Dunardry locks before following the quiet contemplative waters of the historic canal to Crinan Basin, New York and ancient woods.
Leaving the car park, turn right onto the forestry track. Follow the yellow posts for the Dunardry Trail - anticlockwise - starting with the canal running parallel on your right. After 250m, to your left, you will see the path down which you will be returning, next to a sign board. Continue ahead for the next half km until you come to a Y-junction.
Veer left, ignoring the orange posted track to your right. Your route will now climb gradually, heading in a south westerly direction. After 750m you will notice a forestry track to the left and a path from your right. Ignore both and continue straight for 400m, following the yellow posts past a small quarry until you reach a T-junction.
Turn left. The track will curve gently left for 500m, passing an old settlement, before a sharp right hand bend. Directly on the left hand side of the bend take a small path signposted to the viewpoint of Cruach Mor (‘Great Conical Hill' or ‘Stack').
Initially steep, the path soon levels out to lead you to the trig point at 214m, the highest point of the walk.
From here a superb 360° panorama can be taken in with particularly good views over to Jura, Scarba, Mull, Dunadd and the incredible blanket bog of the Moine Mhor ('Great Moss'). To descend, return down the path to rejoin the forestry track.
Turn left. The track drops southwards to a bridge over the Dunardry Burn. Your route following the yellow posts takes you left just before the burn. Continue until you meet a junction offering a choice of green, blue and yellow routes. You can now either choose to stay on the yellow route - an easy amble with views down to the gorge - or explore the blue or green route before rejoining the yellow route.
The blue route is easy, whereas the green route drops you down on a mini circuit of Dunardry gorge and does have some steep uneven sections, taking you down to the bridges over the falls.
Rejoin or continue on the yellow route through tall mature coniferous woodland until you reach the junction and sign board you passed near the start. Turn right towards the carpark.
Continue down to the road and turn left, crossing with care. After 100m turn right onto a track in front of a house and cross over Lock 9 to the other side of the canal.
Turn left on to the tow path. The walk is now an easy 5.5km amble to Crinan Basin, passing close by Moine Mhor and the River Add estuary.
Leaving Crinan Basin, walk through the car park to a path leading along the south side of the canal. At gate 14, turn right onto the red marked trail, which you will follow to the swing bridge. There are information boards to help you en route. Steep in places, this delightful path meanders up onto a small hill through ancient woodlands with numerous viewpoints over Crinan Bay.
On dropping slightly to a house, you come out onto a small lane. Fifty metres to your right, you will come to a signpost marked ‘New York ruins'.
Turn left. This will take you over another small ridge. At the signpost turn left to New York ruins, a line of old cottages that were once lived in by canal workers. From New York return to the signpost. Continuing ahead - signposted Dun Mor - the path cuts across a col to a T-junction. Turn left to Dun Mor. The path ascends briefly but steeply to the summit of this ancient hill fort with lovely views over to Crinan Ferry and Duntrune Castle.
Continue over the fort and the path will meander awhile before dropping steeply to a lane leading to the swing bridge.
Cross the bridge back to the tow path and turn right. You can now retrace your steps to Dunardry Forestry car park, remembering to cross back over the canal at Lock 9.