Walk Information
Route: Deer Hill and Carradale Point
Distance: 11.5km (7 miles)
Ascent: 360m
Time: 3½-4hrs walking but allow plenty of time for exploration and maybe a paddle or swim…
Terrain: Paths, beach and tracks, some steep, uneven and occasionally boggy sections.
Map/s: OS Landranger 68(1:50 000) OS Explorer 356(1:25 000)
Start/Finish/Parking: Carradale Harbour car park
Grid reference: NR 818386
Public Transport: 445 to Campbeltown
Toilets: Yes
A delightful circuit that includes both Deer Hill and Carradale Bay
Carradale has long been a destination for those that 'know', its stunning beach a superb spot for swimming, kayaking and just general pottering. And with the development of the K66 - a circuit encompassing 66 miles around Kintyre - this scenic area is bound to be on many folk’s itineraries. This lovely walk takes in an array of views from sea to summit and is certainly rich in variety covering a hill walk, beach walk, riverside walk,woodland walk, coastal walk, geology, history, wildlife… I could go on.
The landscape and its twisted and convoluted Dalradian rocks are certainly worthy of exploration and the beach offers its own temptations. And then there’s the goats…
1. Leaving the harbour car park turn right and follow the road back up the hill for 850m. You will pass two minor roads on your right, the turning to Port Righ on your left. Continue until the school is on your left and immediately look for a forestry road to your right (after the last bungalow before the bridge).
2. Turn right onto the track keeping the car park to your left. Ignore a small path to your right and continue to a T-junction.
3. Turn right (north) past the village playing fields, with woods to your left. After 250m turn left at a fork in the track into the woodland (if you miss this the next turning left joins the same route).
4. The track meets the other route just ahead. Veering left your path climbs noticeably over the next 1.25km, through plantations, past the reservoir off to the right – worth a small detour - until arriving at a junction. The Kintyre Way continues north whereas your path heads sharply left to continue up the hill.
5. The next section opens out and is a lovely part of the walk, with excellent views back to Arran. After a few minutes and as the path heads south on the higher section look for the path to the summit on your right. It is now a very short hop to the summit Trigpoint (painted a variety of colours depending on the year - a friend of ours used to regularly pop up to paint it!) for some lovely views right down Kintyre and towards Ailsa Craig. Although known as Deer Hill, Cnoc an Ghabar translates as Goat Hill; I suspect there will be an explanation!
6. Return to the path meandering southwards for 1.5km, with the odd little up and plenty of steep downs, passing back into woodland and Scots Pine before meeting another track.
7. Turn left and look out for the path right just over 50m ahead. Follow this down through the dark woods. After 200m look for the path and steps heading right. Take these to the Blackbird Tearoom, which, if open, is a good place to stop for a well-deserved cuppa.
8. Exiting the Tearoom carefully cross the road, heading left towards a track opposite signposted to Carradale Bay Caravan Park. Follow this briefly before turning right onto Sally’s Walk.
9. After a minute or so look for a turning left signposted ‘Carradale East Services’ and take it. After 300m you will re-join the main track but will soon take the turning right heading south to ‘Carradale Bay’.
10. En route you will see the stepping stones that cross over Carradale Water to Waterfoot – I don’t recommend standing on them as they can be very slippery! Continue by the river passing through gorse and a gate before finally reaching a sharp left-hand bend.
11. Head straight on via the little path to the beach. You can now enjoy the vast open expanse of sand as you head eastwards across the lovely Carradale Bay.
12. When you reach the far end of the bay, over 1km away, veer right to a gate by a ruin. Passing through the gate a small path now meanders up through gorse and bracken heading south towards Carradale Point. It is worth keeping to the higher ground on the way out as the path drops down through interesting rocks near its end with some grand views. This is also a great vantage point from which to see the area’s feral goats if about.
13. At the end you can cross to the Vitrified Fort on the islet unless there are very high spring tides. To return take the lower path* up the western side just above the shoreline, a mass of wildflowers in early summer. This also allows closer inspection of the amazing folded Dalradian rocks.
14. Once back at the bay – where you may decide a swim is in order - head right up the track from the car park at its eastern end. After a gate you will be in fields which may have livestock. Veer a sharp left at the other side of the first field and follow the track to another gate out onto a lane.
15. Head straight ahead to return to Carradale village and the main road. Right will take you back down to the harbour and past the potential of refreshments.
*You can also follow part of the coast or go over the top to Port Righ (circumnavigating rhododendrons and boggy bits) and along the edge of the Golf Course via Airds Castle ruins before dropping back down to Carradale harbour. But beware, the former requires good route-finding skills to avoid difficulties and steep drops.
For those staying in the area there is also the lovely Kintyre Gin just down the road at Torrisdale Castle Estate which also offers distillery tours.
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Safety in the Outdoors
The described route and accompanying information are there to be used as a guide and do not replace the use of map and compass and the skills required to use them. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the route is accurate please be aware that track and path closures can happen at any time. All walks are undertaken at your own risk. Please use appropriate clothing and equipment for your chosen outdoor activity. If walking in winter conditions ensure you have the equipment and skills needed for a long day on the hill with potentially whiteout and/or freezing conditions, etc. Inform a contact about your route/whereabouts and don’t forget your phone, snacks, drink, any medication/first aid supplies you may need and to check weather conditions. Most walks are dog friendly but please keep your dog under close control, especially around livestock and wildlife. Please follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
