📌 Oban, Argyll & Bute
★★★
The past has collided with the present at Dunbeg, north of Oban. This wooded headland on which Dunstaffnage Castle is perched has now been joined by a major housing estate half a mile to the south – a major change to the landscape, though future homeowners will undoubtedly be able to enjoy some gorgeous views. The new houses are linked to Oban by a smooth cycleway, but a rough coast path provides a more scenic alternative. This route uses both to make a circuit.
📷 Chronological photo guide
Ganavan Sands 
Beach below Aonadh Mòr 
Looking back to Ganavan 
Leave the coast here 
Path across Ganavan Hill / Aonadh Beag 
Path across Ganavan Hill / Aonadh Beag 
Dunbeg 
Rocky bay on the way to Dunbeg 
Camas Rubha na Liathaig 
A woodland path provides a shortcut to the castle 
Sea view from Dunstaffnage Castle 
Dunstaffnage Castle 
View from the jetty next to the castle 
Cycle lane return 
Cycle lane return 
Cycle lane return
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish at Ganavan Sands, end of Ganavan Road, 2 mi north of Oban
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NM 862327
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 56.437419,-5.469336
🚌 Bus to start
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
▶ 8 km / 5 mi | ▲ 160 m | ⌛ 2-2.5 hr
Features: 🏖️ Ganavan Sands ★★★; 🌊 Ganavan to Dunbeg coastline; 🏰 Dunstaffnage Castle
⬤ Moderate | Fairly rough & undulating coastal path for outward route; pavements & tarmac cycle path for return.
Download file for GPS➡️ Clockwise circuit: start & Ganavan Sands – Ganavan Hill via coast path – Camas Rubha na Liathaig – Dunstaffnage Castle – Dunbeg – start via cycle path
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Oystercatchers, seagulls, rabbits, possibly a fox. Black guillemots by the road to the start.
Weather: 14°C, sunny intervals, windy.
June 2021
