Ariundle Oakwood Circular, Strontian
Highlands
Ariundle Oakwood, north of Strontian in Sunart, is a National Nature Reserve and a surviving fragment of the Atlantic oakwoods, the temperate rainforest that once lined much of Europe's western coast. The oakwood is fenced against deer with no grazing sheep or cattle inside, so a dog can wander the mossy paths off the lead. For centuries these trees were cut for charcoal to fuel the lead-smelting furnaces further down the glen, and today the damp air feeds a thick layer of mosses, lichens and ferns on every trunk and boulder. This 4.8km circuit from the Forestry and Land Scotland car park follows a wide track into the wood, drops to a wooden bridge over the Strontian River, runs along the bank past a picnic table, recrosses on a second bridge and returns by boardwalk. A waymarked path then climbs across the northern slopes past an Iron Age hut circle and an old croft. There is only 88 metres of climbing, on good forest tracks and paths.
This is a dog friendly walk that suits almost any dog, with a short, sheltered loop, the river for a drink and a paddle, and shade under the oaks all the way. There is no grazing inside the deer-fenced wood, so a dog with good recall can be off lead on the tracks, though red deer live here and roar during the autumn rut. Ticks are a known problem, so check your dog afterwards. The car park is 3.5km from Strontian, where the nearest public toilets and places to eat are.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.8 km (3.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland, River
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- No facilities at the car park; public toilets, shop and places to eat in Strontian, 3.5km away.
- Parking
- Airigh Fhionndail car park (Forestry and Land Scotland) at the start of the reserve, 3.5km north of Strontian.
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Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Ariundle Oakwood Circular, Strontian, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Shepherds Cottage - Loch Linnhe
Sleeps 6 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £478 / 7 nights
Mountain View - Kinlochleven
Sleeps 6 · 3 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £1,294 / 7 nights
Mountain View Cabin - Kinlochleven
Sleeps 2 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £612 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in HighlandsDog Friendly Hotels Nearby
The closest dog friendly hotels to Ariundle Oakwood Circular, Strontian. Every dog fact comes from the hotel's own website.
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All dog friendly hotels in HighlandFrequently Asked Questions
Is Ariundle Oakwood Circular, Strontian dog friendly?
Yes, it scores 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness. The loop is short, sheltered and shaded, the Strontian River is right beside the path for a drink or a paddle, and there is no grazing livestock in the wood. The main caveats are ticks, which Forestry and Land Scotland flag for this site, and the deer that live in the reserve.
Can dogs be off lead at Ariundle Oakwood Circular, Strontian?
Yes, a dog with reliable recall can be off lead on most of the tracks and paths, as the oakwood is fenced against deer and has no sheep or cattle inside. Red deer still live in and around the reserve, so keep your dog close if you see them, especially in the autumn rut, and keep it on the paths so it does not disturb the delicate mosses and ground flora of the nature reserve.
What should I know before visiting Ariundle Oakwood Circular, Strontian with my dog?
Park at the Airigh Fhionndail car park, 3.5km up the road from Strontian, where the nearest public toilets, shop and places to eat are. There are no facilities at the car park itself. Paths are good but can be muddy, and there is a boardwalk section and two bridges. Ticks are common here from spring to autumn, so check your dog carefully after the walk.
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