Glenbranter Waterfall Trail, Glenbranter Forest, Argyll Forest Park, Cowal Peninsula, Argyll and Bute

Glenbranter Waterfall Trail (click/tap to enlarge)

Here's another walk from the Cowal Peninsula, this time in Glenbranter Forest. Glenbranter was planted in the 1920s by the famous Scottish entertainer Harry Lauder and has since become part of the extensive Argyll Forest Park. There are three waymarked routes that you can explore but we opted to walk the 2.4 mile yellow route along the Allt Robuic waterfalls trail.

The paths are pretty good though we put the dogs on leads around the fenced areas along the upper waterfall section, as there are drops there. There's a fairly steep section on the way up to the waterfalls and also some steps. The track back to the car park has a few houses on it, so watch out for the very occasional car.

You'll find route maps, link to the car park on Google Maps and GPX navigational file at the end of the article. All photos can be clicked/tapped to enlarge them. Information is current as of our last visit in September 2022. You can find more information about the trails around Glenbranter Forest at the Foresty and Land Scotland website here.

The waterfalls were quite impressive as there had been some pretty wet weather preceding our visit. We passed two main waterfalls but you can also spot other waterfalls coming down the hills in the distance if you keep an eye out for them. You'll find some photos and a couple of videos from the route below.

Jasper is making sure we're going the right way! (click/tap to enlarge)

The boys are in their element in the forest!

The route is a mix of wider tracks like this and narrower footpaths

The section up to the waterfalls takes us through an area of moss covered trees

You can take a short detour down to a rather nice bird hide and try to spot some wildlife

The bird hide nestled amongst the trees

Quite a comfy place for some bird / deer / squirrel spotting and the like!

The route crosses a bridge where we pass the first main waterfall

A little ways further, we reach the second main waterfall which is in full flow

The route has many towering trees that are typical of the area

Some strange characters line part of the route

You can take a short detour here past the viewpoint sign and down to the pretty Glenshellish Burn

Tommy's loitering around the picnic bench and is probably trying to hint that he'd like a snack!

The yellow route continues left, whilst the path straight on takes you on the short detour to the burn 

Jasper thoroughly enjoying himself in Glenshellish Burn

Glenshellish Burn

The forest was beautiful and quiet with barely another soul around

The final part of the route back to the car park is along a wide track that passes a few properties, so watch out for the occasional car

Route overview with surrounding area (click/tap to enlarge)

Route to Glenbranter bottom car park (start of walk) from A815

Walking route detail - part 1 of 2

Walking route detail - part 2 of 2

Link to start location (bottom car park) on Google Maps

Download GPX navigation file (from Google Drive)

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