Ariundle

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Enjoy the peace in Ariundle

Explore these ancient and magical oakwoods, find a Fairies' Road beside the rushing Strontian River and take a boardwalk to discover the wildlife of the woods. Stunning at any time of the year, Ariundle is a riot of red and gold in autumn and a sparkling place to explore in winter.

Notice

• Forest operations are taking place in Ariundle woodland to enhance the natural native woodland. The carpark access will need to be closed for visitor safety. Alternative access is possible from Strontian village, via the Fairies Walk.

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Life's essentials

You'll find refreshments in Ariundle, and public toilets, places to eat, shopping and information at Strontian.

Walking trails

Ariundle Trail

This fabulous route passes through one of Scotland’s finest mature Atlantic oakwoods and follows the lovely Strontian River with unforgettable views up the glen to Sgùrr Dhòmhnuill.

Uneven gravel surface with grassy sections. Some narrow, rocky and muddy parts. Short fairly steep slopes. Includes some bridges and a long section of wooden boardwalk.

2 ¾ miles /
4.5 km
Allow
1½ hours

More information...

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The Ariundle National Nature Reserve is rich in wildlife – watch out for butterflies and dragonflies in early summer and golden eagles overhead, listen for woodland birds all year round and spot a host of mosses, lichens and ferns thriving on the damp forest floor.

You can go either way around this circuit, but we like walking anti-clockwise to enjoy dramatic views up the glen.

Cycling trails

Mountain biking trails

A jewel among the oak woods

Ariundle (Airigh Fhionndail – the shieling of the white meadow) is a very special place. It’s one of the richest surviving fragments of the ancient oakwoods that once grew along the Atlantic seaboard from Spain to Norway. Primitive mosses, lichens and ferns grow in abundance in the lush coastal climate and the woods are home to rare and beautiful butterflies and dragonflies. The oak woodland is so important that it has been designated a National Nature Reserve.

Look closely, and you can still find platforms in the woods at Ariundle where charcoal burners built their stacks of wood. A thriving community once lived in the woodland, producing bark for leather tanning and timber as well as charcoal.

Contact: Lochaber Forest District

Address: Torlundy, Fort William

Postcode: PH33 6SW

Telephone: 0300 067 6870

Email: lochaber@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

How to get here

From Strontian, follow the unclassified road towards Polloch. After 1 mile (1.6 km), turn right at the junction and follow the Forestry Commission signs to the car park at grid reference NM 825 633.

Using SatNav?

PH36 4JA is the nearest postcode.

Public transport

There are buses from Fort William to Strontian every day except Sunday. Find timetables at Traveline Scotland.

Nearby places

Phemie’s Walk is another woodland trail on the edge of Strontian. It climbs through giant conifers to dramatic views over the village and Loch Sunart.

Alternatively, head over the hill to Polloch and park at Glen Hurich for some wonderfully scenic trails through the woods to tranquil Loch Shiel. On the way, stop at the Loch Doilet View for great views down to the loch.

If you're keen to find out more about Morvern's remarkable history, head to Aoineadh Mor. Here, the ruins of an old crofting settlement tell the story of how families were cruelly evicted in 1824.