Stronathian Community Forest

You'll find yourself driving through proper Highland scenery before reaching Stronathian - a community woodland project that feels genuinely lived-in rather than polished. It's a working forest rather than a tourist trap, with paths that wind through native woodland and a real sense that locals have built something here for themselves.

The main draw is the walking network. Trails range from gentle loops perfect for getting the legs moving after a caravan pitch to more serious woodland hikes that take a good few hours. The forest sits between Colintraive and the broader Argyll landscape, so you get proper mountain views mixed with dense pine and birch. On a clear day it's rather special; midges season though, and you'll wish you'd packed more insect repellent.

It's free to walk around, which is the right price for what amounts to a community initiative. Allow an hour minimum for a potter, three hours if you're doing a proper route. Best visited spring through autumn - winter can be boggy and a bit miserable unless you're seriously keen.

Glendaruel Caravan Park sits just down the road, making this an excellent half-day outing if you're based there. It's not going to blow your mind if you've walked Scottish forests before, but it's genuine and understated - exactly what Argyll does well. Worth fitting in if you're in the area, definitely not worth planning a trip around it alone.