WALK GIGHA

Path Network

Come and Explore!

Beautiful views in every direction, safe beaches, seals, dolphins and otters, a great variety of birds and wildflowers, history going back 5000 years – the Isle of Gigha has all this to offer and more.

Gigha is 7 miles long by 1 mile across, narrowing to a waist barely a quarter of a mile wide. The road runs north/south with farm tracks leading east and west. The coast measures about 30 miles due to the indented nature of the shoreline with its rocky coves and silver-sanded beaches. The island habitat is rich and varied, and there are many sites of historical interest.

Gigha is just a 20-minute ferry journey off the west coast of the Kintyre peninsula.

To help you explore Gigha, there are 12 designated off-road walks. These are described in detail (with maps) in the “Walk Gigha” booklet available from Gigha Stores and Gigha Hotel. Many of the walks start and end at the centre of the island, not far from where the ferry comes in, and are therefore ideal for foot passengers who enjoy walking. The walks vary in length, from half a mile to three miles, and several can be linked to give a whole day's walking. They cover a range of terrain, from mixed woodland, pasture land, sandy beaches, rocky shores, bracken and bramble-covered hillsides to rocky heather-clad hilltops.

On a clear day you can see the coast of Antrim in Ireland to the south west, the long mountainous shapes of Islay and Jura to the north west, Ben More on Mull far to the north, the hills of Kilberry to the north east, and Goatfell on Arran rising behind the hills of Kintyre to the east.

The pathways are maintained by volunteer members of the Gigha Path Network Group who recommend strong shoes or walking boots in dry weather, but wellington boots for some paths when it is wet – Gigha enjoys more than its fair share of sunshine, but it does sometimes get rain!

There are walks to suit every age and ability, from seaside strolls to more strenuous hill scrambles, so whether you are a keen walker or simply like to wander and enjoy nature at a slower pace, come and walk Gigha!

Walk Highlights

•  SPOUTING CAVE A natural rocky blowhole at the southern point of Gigha

•  EUN EILEAN A favourite place for basking seals. Safe sandy beach at Leim

•  BODACH & CAILLEACH Ancient standing stones

•  CUDDYPORT BEACH Sheltered and safe. Quern stone quarry nearby

•  GALLOCHOILLE Ancient harbour and Pictish dun. Secluded coves

•  CNOC NA CROISE Kilchatten church ruin and graveyard including a kilted warrior gravestone

•  RUBH' A CHINN MHOR Sheltered beach

•  NORTH ARDMINISH TO ARDLAMY CIRCULAR Great views all round

•  CREAG BHAN The highest hill at 100m. View finder cairn. Wildlife at Upper Loch and Old mill

•  EILEAN GARBH Sheltered twin beaches

•  CNOC NA GOBHAR & THE FISHERMAN'S CAVE Inscriptions from the 1700's

•  NORTH CAIRN Wonderful views

Booklets containing full descriptions and maps of all the walks are available to purchase at the Gigha Stores and the Gigha Hotel.