The 10 Best Walks In Ardnamurchan
The Ardnamurchan Peninsula isn’t your typical Scottish destination but it’s wild, rugged, and dramatically beautiful coastline can rival any Highland landscape. So, if you’re looking for somewhere truly wild to get outdoors, somewhere packed with beautiful nature walks and hikes, Ardnamurchan could be your perfect place. Here are my top 10 walks on Ardnamurchan, all excellent reasons why an adventure on this lesser-visited part of Scotland should be high on your bucket list!
The Best Walks on Ardnamurchan
1. Salen Oakwoods
The woodlands near Salen are a surviving remnant of an ancient rain forest that once covered Europe’s Atlantic coast. This short and easy way-marked walk passes through the canopy of oak, birch and hazel trees to a viewing spot that reveals Loch Sunart below. These Oakwoods are a stunning and peaceful place, full of flora and wildlife. Especially beautiful when the autumn colours bloom.
Distance: 1.5km / 1 mile
Time: 1 hour
Find the route here.
2. Glenborrodale RSPB Nature Trail
This short but lovely walk through the RSPB’s most westerly reserve is a great opportunity to spot the plethora of wildlife in the area; keep your eyes open for golden eagles, red squirrel, pine marten and red deer who live in these beautiful woods. There’s a good path and only a little ascent but it can be wet and boggy after heavy rain.
Distance: 2.75km / 1.75 miles
Time: 1 hour
Find the route here.
3. Loch Shiel Viewpoints
With a plethora of beautiful lochs all over Scotland, it’s truly hard to choose the most stunning - but Loch Shiel is truly a contender. Visit Loch Shiel on this short walk, passing through forests of native trees on way to the viewing area where you’ll also find picnic benches.
Distance: 4.5km / 2.75 miles
Time: 1.5 hours
Find the route here.
4. Ardnamurchan Point, Lighthouse & MacNeil Bay
Walk out to Ardnamurchan Point, home to the UK’s most westerly lighthouse, with a detour into hidden MacNeil Bay - a sandy beach with Mediterranean-blue waters and the most incredible coastal views. From here the incredibly photogenic Ardnamurchan Lighthouse soars out above the sea in the distance, whilst an additional 2km of walking will take you to the lighthouse itself.
This impressive site is more than worth the extra effort, a wild place that guards a coastline carved by relentless waves. Here you’ll find two extremely friendly collie dogs who love a game of fetch and a café serving well-earned coffee and cake.
Distance: 6km / 3.75 miles (add on 2km for Lighthouse)
Time: 2 – 3 hours
Find the route here.
5. Castle Tioram and the Silver Walk
Sitting on the shores of Loch Moidart, a 20-minute drive from Salen, are the particularly photogenic ruins of Castle Tioram. Built by the original Lord of the Isles in the thirteenth century, on a tidal sandbar, this stunning castle is perhaps the most beautiful in Scotland.
The best way to experience Castle Tioram (pronounced “chee-rum”) is the Silver Walk circuit, which passes around Loch Moidart, one of the UK’s most unspoilt places. Take care on the rocky sections, especially on the unprotected drops and check the tide times before starting.
Distance: 6km / 3.75 miles
Time: 2 - 2.5 hours
Find the route here.
6. Smirisary village and beach from Glen Uig
We stumbled on this walk completely by accident and were thrilled to find beautiful white sandy beaches quite literally at the end of the road. Start at the isolated crofting village of Smirisary and follow the rough 2-mile footpath with the sea shining in the distance. Ahead are two lovely but remote white sandy beaches which are especially beautiful in spring when the machair grassland explodes in a riot of wildflowers. Take a dip in the lovely turquoise seas, or look for seals and otters in the coastal waters of the Sound of Arisaig.
Distance: 4.5km / 2.75 miles
Time: 2.5 – 3.5 hours
Find the route here.
7. Sanna Bay From Portuairk
Probably my favourite beach anywhere in Scotland. Backed by brooding volcanic mountains and 3m sand dunes which are especially beautiful under a carpet of summer wildflowers, this sheltered bay has a seemingly endless expanse of pristine white sands stretching out along the coast.
Even in summer you’ll find the miles of breathtaking white sands of Sanna Bay almost empty; rarely are there many people here, put off by the time-consuming drive along a long and winding road. For a more relaxed journey, walk the coastal trail from Portuairk. Watch out for passing whales and dolphins in the crystal-clear turquoise waters, and views over to the Small Isles on a clear day. Words truly can’t describe how beautiful Sanna Bay is. Remember to pack your swimsuit for an ocean dip.
Distance: 7km / 4.25 miles
Time: 3 hours (add on time for wild swims and picnics)
Find the route here.
8. Singing Sands, near Kentra
Reaching the white sandy beaches near Kentra takes a little effort and a rather long coastal and forest walk – but the remote and stunning wild beach is well worth it. Even in the rain the seascape was dramatic, though it turns out the sands don’t “sing” in the wet… Pay attention to the ‘unexploded munitions’ signs, this used to be an MOD site during WW2.
Distance: 9.5km / 6 miles
Time: 3 - 4 hours
Find the route here.
9. Ben Hiant
Unsurprisingly in a part of Scotland shaped by volcanos and known for its rugged landscapes, there are several peaks on Ardnamurchan for a great hike. My top two hillwalking options – for accessibility mixed with adventure - are Ben Hiant and Beinn Resipol.
Ben Hiant is, strictly speaking, Ardnamurchan’s highest point. This short hill walk (528m) has incredible views over the rugged coastline and takes around 2 – 3 hours. There’s also a lovely bay to visit on your way to this hill - Camas nan Geall is one of the peninsula’s prettiest spots.
Find the route here.
10. Beinn Resipol
For a longer and more challenging day, Beinn Resipol boasts the highest peak in the wider area of Sunart. At 845m, this Corbett is the most westerly of the big Highland mountains and its solitary position makes for excellent views over Loch Sunart and Loch Shiel.
With bogs, ridges, and indistinct trails to navigate, this six-house hike is more challenging than you might. Parking at the Resipole Campsite is free but limited.
Find the route here.
Route Map + Other Ardnamurchan Walks
As well as your route, it’s essential on longer walks and hikes especially to take a map. Every walk and route above uses the OS Explorer 390 Ardnamurchan map.
The walks above are my favourite and I think a little bit special. Though they cover a wide range of landscapes, there are countless other walks on Ardnamurchan depending on your preference for forest trails, coastal walks, or mountains hikes. You can find a list of Ardnamurchan walks here, including instructions and routes.
Places to visit and stay in Ardnamurchan
No matter how many times I visit Ardnamurchan, I’m overwhelmed by the feeling of being quite apart from the rest of the world. And each time I return, there’s something new just waiting to be discovered – there are dozens of beautiful spots and incredible hikes that always deepen my love for this timeless place!
If you’re feeling inspired to visit Ardnamurchan, then read my post on visiting this off-the-radar peninsula to find out more about the best things to do, see and stay on Ardnamurchan.
VISIT ARDNAMURCHAN WITH MY TRAVEL GUIDES
