Glen Nant Oakwoods Ant Trail
Argyll and Bute
Glen Nant is a National Nature Reserve south of Taynuilt, 339 hectares of oak, birch and hazel on the west side of the River Nant that Forestry and Land Scotland is restoring as temperate rainforest by clearing out non-native conifers. Dogs can enjoy plenty of off-lead freedom here, though it is worth keeping them close around the wood ant nests beside the path, as the ants can bite. The oaks were coppiced for centuries to make charcoal for the Bonawe iron furnace on Loch Etive, and a rebuilt charcoal burner's mound sits beside the path. This 3.3km waymarked Ant Trail climbs from the car park on a forest track, then winds along an undulating path past wood ant nests up to half a metre high, with a short detour to a bench looking out to Ben Cruachan. There is about 126 metres of climbing.
This dog friendly walk offers plenty of off-lead time on the path, with livestock unlikely in the woodland, though the track crosses a cattle grid near the start, so keep an eye out. Wood ant nests are best admired from a distance, as a curious nose will get bitten. Small burns cross the trail, and a short riverbank path from the car park leads to a picnic area by the River Nant for a paddle. FLS flags ticks here, so check your dog afterwards. The car park is pay and display, and toilets and cafes are in Taynuilt.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 3.3 km (2.1 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 15 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Historic, River
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Picnic area by the River Nant; no toilets on site; toilets, shop and places to eat in Taynuilt.
- Parking
- Glen Nant FLS car park on the B845, charged (pay by RingGo), Blue Badge holders free.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Glen Nant Oakwoods Ant Trail, 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
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 Glen Nant Oakwoods Ant Trail dog friendly?
Glen Nant rates a solid 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness, and it's a genuinely enjoyable place to bring a dog. The woodland setting means livestock are unlikely, and small burns and a riverside picnic area by the River Nant give dogs a chance for a splash. The only facilities on site are the picnic area, so plan to stop in nearby Taynuilt if you need a café or toilets.
Can dogs be off lead at Glen Nant Oakwoods Ant Trail?
Dogs can enjoy plenty of off-lead freedom along this 3.3km waymarked trail, as the woodland path is largely free of livestock. It's worth keeping them close in a couple of spots — the track crosses a cattle grid near the start, and the giant wood ant nests along the path are best admired from a distance, as a curious nose will get bitten.
What should I know before visiting Glen Nant Oakwoods Ant Trail with my dog?
The wood ant nests here can be up to half a metre high and are one of the trail's highlights, but do keep your dog from investigating them too closely as the ants can bite. Forestry and Land Scotland also flags ticks as a concern in this area, so it's worth giving your dog a thorough check after the walk. Parking is pay and display via RingGo at the FLS car park on the B845, with Blue Badge holders going free.
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