Loch Eck west side

This is a very enjoyable easy route to folllow down the west side of Loch Eck. It is advertised as a cycle route but as usual there were no bikes to be seen while we were running. Although we had considered trying to make this a loop by using the forest tracks on the east side of the loch we were concerned about stretches on the main road. So for the time being this route is an out and back but we will research this further.

From the large car park we take a right onto the small tarred road and then left past the small farm and onto the route proper. Very simple to follow and you are soon out in the open before heading into the trees. During the first part of the route there are several views of the loch but generally you are blocked by the trees.

At the mark you start a descent down to the loch side and the views improve from that point. The track also improves before finally becoming a single track tarred road at the end of the loch. For this description we take the route into the Benmore Botanic gardens and up to the famous golden gate. We did actually run on a little bit further and you could of course exit the gardens and out onto various trails and small roads nearby.

We used this route as a marathon training exercise and were very happy with it as the elevation wasn't too much and the views lovely.