All of the Pilgrim Route Guides are now live on the site, so you can make your own Cowal Pilgrimage or use one of our suggested loops. We’re celebrating by offering ‘taster walks’ in May. Come and experience small sections of some of our long distance routes. Get a taste for walking in this in Cowal this spring (weather permitting)!
- May 6th (Thurs, 2pm – 4pm): Join us in Glendaruel to walk St Modan’s Trail. This walk involves some very steep slopes and grassy trails, but it should only take around 2hrs, and you’ll enjoy the wonderful wooden sculptures en route to Lephinkill chambered cairn. Bring an empty flask so you can sample cool, clean spring water from St Modan’s Well. And admire the 14th century carved stones in the lapidarium of Kilmodan. [3 miles]
- May 14th (Fri, 10.30am – 2.30pm): Starting from Kilmun Church, we’ll head up the forestry track behind Blairmore & Strone Golf Club, then drop down near Blairmore pier and take the Shore Road back to Kilmun. This involves some very steep hills but it’s on firm surfaces and rewards you with fantastic views down the River Clyde. The return journey is on flat, lochside roads and pavements, and there are cafe’s and The Strone Inn if you fancy a treat before you head home. [7 miles]
- May 21st (Fri, 1pm – 4.30pm): Meeting at the Beinn Laggan car park near Strachur, this loop takes in sections of St Munn’s Pilgrimage as well as sections of The Loch Lomond Cowal Way. It’s a low-level circuit round Beinn Laggan Hill, involving forestry tracks and some moderately steep inclines. [6 miles]
- May 27th (Thurs, 2pm – 5pm): Hiking poles and strong legs will be required for the hike from Kilmorie to Kilbride. This is a short loop but it takes in many sights: Kilmorie Ruins, Old Castle Lachlan, Lachlan Bay, Kilbride Chapel footings, Tobar an Longairt well and fantastic views over Loch Fyne towards the Kintyre peninsula. Most of this route is over rough, uneven ground, with some battling through rhododendrons involved. More of a strenuous adventure than any of the others! [3.5 miles]
