Ardentinny Forest and Finart Bay Walk
Argyll and Bute
Ardentinny sits on the western shore of Loch Long in Cowal, and its Forestry and Land Scotland car park overlooks the long pebbly beach of Finart Bay. With little livestock in the forest, dogs enjoy off-lead freedom, though deer fence gates need closing and a lead helps in the village. This 6km route links the red, green and yellow waymarked trails into one circuit. It begins with a short detour along the shore path to White Bay, a quiet cove looking across the loch to Coulport, then climbs through native woodland and a deer-fenced section to a forest track. After a short burnside path by the Glen Finart Burn, the yellow trail curves round the back of Finart Bay past benches with views down the loch, visits a memorial stone above the bay and returns on a track past the ruins of Glenfinart House. There is 167 metres of climbing on waymarked paths and tracks, with several ups and downs.
This is a dog friendly walk with a beach at the start and finish for dogs who like a swim. There is high off-lead potential in the forest, where livestock is unlikely, though deer are present and the gates in the deer fence must be closed behind you. Keep your dog on a lead on the short road sections through Ardentinny and on the track across the fields below the caravan park. The Glen Finart Burn and the loch give plenty of water, and the trees give shade. The FLS car park is charged and has toilets open all year.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 6.0 km (3.7 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr
- Walk Type
- Forest, Coastal
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- FLS toilets at the car park (open all year) and public toilets in Ardentinny village; picnic tables overlooking Finart Bay.
- Parking
- Ardentinny FLS car park, 1 mile north of the village beyond Glenfinart Caravan Park; pay by card or RingGo, Blue Badge free.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Ardentinny Forest and Finart Bay Walk, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Birchbank Loch View Lodge
Sleeps 2 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £476 / 7 nights
Booking links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices are a guide only and change with dates and availability.
All dog friendly stays in Argyll and ButeFrequently Asked Questions
Is Ardentinny Forest and Finart Bay Walk dog friendly?
Ardentinny Forest and Finart Bay Walk is a great choice for dog owners, earning a solid 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness. The 6km circuit through Forestry and Land Scotland woodland offers high off-lead potential, and the pebbly beach at Finart Bay is perfect for dogs who love a swim. Natural water sources along the route — including the Glen Finart Burn and Loch Long itself — mean your dog can drink and cool off as you go.
Can dogs be off lead at Ardentinny Forest and Finart Bay Walk?
Dogs can enjoy good off-lead freedom through most of the forest, where livestock is unlikely to be present. There are a few exceptions to keep in mind: leads are recommended on the short road sections through Ardentinny village and on the track across the fields below the caravan park. Deer are present in the forest, and you'll need to make sure any deer fence gates are closed behind you.
What should I know before visiting Ardentinny Forest and Finart Bay Walk with my dog?
The FLS car park is a paid car park (card or RingGo; Blue Badge holders park free) and has toilets open all year, so practicalities are well covered. The route has 167 metres of climbing with several ups and downs, so it's worth knowing your dog is comfortable with varied terrain. Deer fence gates must be closed after passing through, and a lead is needed in the village and on the field track near the caravan park — beyond that, the forest is largely yours to enjoy.
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