Walks | North-West
Poolewe - Kernsary
Start: Poolewe waterfront, by caravan park
Description: A circular walk around a lochan, firstly on muddy paths, then return by land rover track
OS Map: #19, Gairloch & Poolese
Multimap: Online Map
This 5 - 6 mile walk starts from the town of Poolewe. A series of small parking spaces can be found next to the main road opposite the Caravan Park, or alternatively park in the car parks back by the hotel. Good boots are essential for this walk as the path covers some rough terrain, and also a short boggy patch just before Kernsary. The path is marked by a right of way sign, and heads up the side of the white painted steading. The early stages of the path are easy going, on a distinct path, slowly climbing to a low ridge that gives a good view back to Poolewe and Loch Ewe, and also ahead to Kernsary Loch. Above the Loch is the start of the ridge that leads along the Northern shore of Loch Maree to Slioch.
The path covers a rocky patch where it drops down to a small stream leaving the Loch, and then climbs again and follows the loch shore. This section can also be tricky in wet weather as the weeping birch trees barely leave enough room to walk under, so a light soaking may come from the branches! A short boggy section where the path is little more than a darker line through the mud leads into grassy fields just before Kernsary. Take care here as the field often holds Highland Cattle. Take time to investigate the burn at the edge of the field, heading towards the buildings on the far side, as there is a small bridge, but it is not immediately obvious.
Once across, head up to the buildings that form Kernsary. From here you can either follow the land rover track further into the Wilderness, or you can turn right and head back towards Poolewe along the track. On crossing the bridge just after the houses, keep to the track by turning right, unless you wish to take a lengthy detour to the shores of Loch Maree, near to where the area's Iron Ore smelting industry was based.
This is a well made hard-cored land rover track, also good for biking on, unlike the early section of the walk! The track eventually comes up to the tip of Loch Maree, and follows the river back down to Poolewe. Watch out for dragon flies around here on calm days, and also basking on the stones around the road, some can come in a fair size, and in exceptional colours. The track passes through a couple of gates - please leave them as you find them. As the track becomes tarred, it follows the river right back into the heart of Poolewe, right next to the hotel.