3 Lochs Trail from Loch Doon

This one-way walk brings you across the moor to Loch Bradan, with Loch Finlas to your right and Loch Doon all the way to Bradan dam. On the way, can you spot Olaf Cairn; a slab of stone standing up near Loch Bradan that looks like Olaf the snowman from Disney’s Frozen ?

Technical sheet

n°29572944
A East Ayrshire walk posted on 30/12/22 by Doon Valley Walkers. Last update : 04/04/23
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.68 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 2h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: No
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 210 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 106 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 424 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 214 m
  • ⚐
    District: East Ayrshire 
  • ⚑
    Start: N 55.258056° / W 4.389719°
  • ⚑
    End: N 55.25154° / W 4.461278°
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The Olaf cairn

Description

Start : Garpels bridge at Loch Doon. Grid ref. NX 482 985

(S) From the Garpels Bridge, walk along the road South-West, just after crossing the bridge, take the road right (South-West). (Before the bridge the road goes up to loch Finlas).

(1) Follow the road going past the gate and stay on it all the way for around 2.6 Km, eventually road ends and a prominent trail starts.

(2) Continue to follow the trail on the right-hand side of the forest, eventually turning left and then right through the gap in the fence.

The prominent trail from here goes all the way across the moor to Loch Bradan, with Loch Finlas to your right and Loch Doon to your rear for around 2 Km.

There are a few good viewpoints despite being low down, some are marked with cairns just off the trail. Look for the Olaf cairn (A), great if you have kids with you. Something to keep them interested.

(3) You can continue to the dam by following the path to the junction and turn right. The trail eventually becomes a road. Return following the same route. (E)

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 214 m - Garpels bridge - Loch Doon
  2. 1 : km 0.16 - alt. 220 m - Road
  3. 2 : km 2.73 - alt. 294 m - Prominent trail
  4. 3 : km 6.94 - alt. 321 m - Junction - Dam
  5. E : km 7.68 - alt. 318 m - Garpels bridge - Loch Doon

Useful Information

Start : Garpels bridge at Loch Doon. Grid ref. NX 482 985

Parking : Garpels Bridge, park sensibly at the edge of the forest road.

Note : There are a few areas you can stop and have lunch/snack without going all the way to Bradan dam. Lots of large slab areas just off the trail close to Bradan. As with all walks, please remember the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

For more information contact Doon Valley Walkers here.

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

During the walk or to do/see around

(A) Olaf Cairn is a slab of stone standing up near Loch Bradan that looks like Olaf the snowman from Disney’s Frozen.

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.

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