Forest Drive

[wully]

Fruitcake and I went for a wee bimble over the 'Forest Drive' last night.

Now Mid Argyll is blessed with mile upon mile of forestry tracks some of which are closed but most open to the sensible rider. The Forest Drive is one which is not only open, but welcoming to traffic.

It's accessed off the fabulous Ford road along the east side of Loch Awe and is easiest found if coming from the west so if you are traveling from Glasgow head up through Lochgilphead towards Oban. ( sorry, although I live just off the Lochgilphead to Oban road I can't remember what the number is- only it starts with 'A'... look it up if you need to, it'll be on a map somewhere I'm sure.)

This is the start of the drive- the whole route is marked with green painted posts with the number 15 in a wee red circle - probably means " Fifteen miles to go"....

On the way up from the shores of Loch Awe you get some simply stunning views down the loch towards mighty Cruachan.

The road winds up and over the hill, some random views.

As with most of the Forestry Commission roads they exist for a reason- can you guess what it is yet?

If you go for a wee trip on any of these track then just remember you might very well meet a very big truck loaded with logs coming the other way- and there usually isn't any run off....
But as it was evening we saw nothing except stunning views and deserted picnic spots, some of which would be excellent for a wee bit of wild camping of an evening- you would have no problem tackling this track on a fully loaded GS

All too soon we were back to normal roads, the other end of the drive is just beside Auchindrain Museum a few miles west of Inverary

The drive is supposedly open from May to October but we only noticed one gate and I don't believe they actually close it....

The whole route is only about 6 miles off road I think ( didn't check- sorry)
but well worth it if you are heading towards Oban/ Fort William.

Sorry about the quality of the photos- our little camera is back being repaired AGAIN and due to pilot error the Canon SLR ran out of battery power after two pics....

 

[ricardo]

Thanks for that one Wully, I'll give it a go next time I'm up in the west. Cheers

 

[Tartan Terror]

Nice one. Have to try that one out next time I am ower that way.

 

[Chaz]

sorry, although I live just off the Lochgilphead to Oban road I can't remember what the number is- only it starts with 'A'... look it up if you need to, it'll be on a map somewhere I'm sure

A816 mate, glad you had a good time. There is a way around a locked gate remember

You away on Thursday or are you up for a wee run?

 

[Timpo]

Timpo.

 

[Ash]

i think a couple of large industrial units and maybe a railway siding would finish the scene of a treat.

 

[Phil Clarke]

Wow thats a new one on me - I think it must be very recent as the track doesn't appear on my copy of tracklogs or the OS paper map I have. Top find

 

[wully]

Wow thats a new one on me - I think it must be very recent as the track doesn't appear on my copy of tracklogs or the OS paper map I have. Top find

It's on my OS 'Memory Map'

How old's your map?

 

[jurassic]

But as it was evening we saw nothing except stunning views and deserted picnic spots, some of which would be excellent for a wee bit of wild camping of an evening-

Aye, your right enough Wully, thanks

A nice spot to wake up!

 

[wully]

Good man!

The wee biting bastards gone then? Or are you one of the lucky feckers they don't like?

Still hoping for time for a wee camp out before the winter- maybe after Tiree...

 

[jurassic]

Good man!

The wee biting bastards gone then? Or are you one of the lucky feckers they don't like?

Still hoping for time for a wee camp out before the winter- maybe after Tiree...

No they're away for this year. It was quite chilly overnight with a heavy dew (I was toasty in downy bag and bivi bag though) and the only thing to disturb me was the roaring of the red deer stags all around. I looked to try and find your other trail in Knapdale but all the gates were locked (although I could have got round one or two if I'd had some assistance and known which one to head up!) I'm guessing it's the one just downhill from the final hairpin (don't want to be too specific in public). Feel free to pm me with the exact location if you like (or not if you want it kept secret). Have fun on Tiree (like you need tellin').

 

[ricardo]

I know it's closed over winter... but I tried to sneak over on Wednesday - no chance with the road blocked by frozen snow. Will try again later in the year.