📌 Cairnbaan, Argyll & Bute
★★★
Cruach Mòr (or Dunardry) rises above dense forestry allowing sweeping views south into the wilds of Knapdale, north across the improbably flat Mòine Mòr and west to the Paps of Jura peeking out above the Taynish peninsula. The Crinan Canal also sneaks into the view at the foot of the hill, an unexpected addition to the otherwise rugged landscape. Thanks to Forestry and Land Scotland there are several waymarked routes here: follow the yellow route for most of the circuit, but it’s worth detouring on descent to an impressive series of bridges and steps criss-crossing a gorge cut by Dunardry Burn.
📷 Chronological photo guide
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish just off B841 0.5 mi west of Cairnbaan
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NR 824909
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 56.061009,-5.496909
🚌 Bus to Cairnbaan (0.5 mi)
🚗 Dunardry car park
📝 Key info
▶ 5 km / 3 mi | ▲ 210 m | ⌛ 2 hr
Features: 💧 Crinan Canal; △ Cruach Mòr / Dunardry (214 m); 🌊 Dunardry Burn gorge
⬤ Moderate | Good tracks and paths with some steps and steep sections.
Download file for GPS➡️ Anticlockwise circuit with extension to summit: start & Crinan Canal – Dunardry via western tracks – Dunardry Burn gorge – start. Combination of yellow then green routes on map 🔗 here
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Bird of prey hovering above the forest.
Weather: Dry and often sunny, gentle breeze at the top.
June 2012
