Goatfell, Isle of Arran

This route takes you from the ferry terminal in Brodick to the summit of Goatfell (874 m / 2866 ft) following the ‘tourist route’, returning with a de-tour through Conocan Wood and past Brodick Castle, a National Trust for Scotland property. Goatfell is the highest peak on the Isle of Arran and from the top on a clear day you will be rewarded with magnificent panoramic views across the island’s array of dramatic granite ridges.

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 17.55 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 7h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 852 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 854 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 858 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1 m

Photos

Description

(S/E) From Brodick Ferry Terminal turn right (North West) to cross a footbridge then onto the pavement along the A841. Continue on A841 through Brodick for 700m until you reach a small Co-op store/pharmacy.

(1) Turn right (North) between the putting green and small Co-op store, and walk to the end of the car park. Continue ahead to follow the way-marked ‘Fisherman’s Walk’ along Brodick Bay and through Brodick Golf Course.

After 2km the Fisherman's Walk emerges out onto A841, opposite the Wineport Bistro. Cross the road and head towards the Bistro and small cluster of shops around it.

(2) To the right of the Arran Brewery shop you will see the start of the access footpath for Goatfell. Follow this track into the forest.

There are a number of crossroads and forks in the path as you ascend. You want to continue in a North or North-West direction all the way up, ignoring any tracks to your left or right which deviate from that.

(3) After approx 2.5km, at 290m of elevation, you will cross a footbridge. Turn left (North West) after the bridge crossing and continue uphill for 150m to a gate.

Continue uphill (North) on this well-used footpath for 2km, the summit visible on your left the whole time on a clear day.

(4) At 620m elevation, you will arrive onto a ridge. Turn left (West) for the final 700m to the summit, requiring some scrambling. I would also advise caution on this exposed stretch due to strong gusts of wind which are common even on calm days.

(5) Once at the summit descend back via the same route (South East then East along the ridge). Take care at (4) to turn right (South East) at the fork.

When you arrive back at the footbridge (3), cross over then turn left (South East) which is the start of the descent through Brodick Castle & Country Park.

(6) The path soon enters Conocan Wood, following a burn down to a small reservoir. Just before the reservoir, turn left (North East) to cross the burn and walk around the reservoir. It should be on your right-hand side.

(7) From here the track leads you through the trees. After 200m keep left (East) at a fork.

(8) A further 400m down, at a crossroads at approx 164m elevation, continue ahead (South).

(9) Another 300m down, turn right (South West) then almost immediately at a fork keep right (South West). The track soon begins to narrow then crosses Mill Burn.

(10) 10m after crossing the burn, turn left (South).

Follow this trail downhill in a South-East direction for approx 500m, crossing back and forth across the burn several times via footbridges, to reach the Rangers Centre.

(11) Turn left (East) behind the Rangers Centre, walk through the car park then turn right (South East) onto the road.

At the end of the road turn left (North East). Almost immediately cross over to a track on your right.

(12) Go through the trees, emerging next to the Visitor Centre. Just before reaching the Visitor Centre, turn right (South East), almost going back on yourself.

(13) Turn right after 30m and follow this footpath towards and then directly alongside Brodick Castle.

(14) Walk all the way past the castle and around the side then just as you are about to leave it behind, turn left (West), down past some stone toadstools.

After approx 300m, you will reach Mill Burn again. Cross the burn and continue ahead (South West).

(15) Keep left (South West) at a fork 10m beyond the burn.

(16) Turn left again (South) at a crossroads 80m further along. This takes you back to the Arran Brewery shop and Wineport Bistro.

From here retrace your steps back to Brodick Ferry Terminal via the Fisherman’s Walk (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 6 m - Brodick Ferry Terminal, Isle of Arran
  2. 1 : km 0.72 - alt. 5 m - Start of "Fisherman's Walk"
  3. 2 : km 2.8 - alt. 14 m - Arran Brewery and Goatfell access path
  4. 3 : km 5.26 - alt. 289 m - Footbridge at 290m elevation
  5. 4 : km 7.42 - alt. 620 m - Ridge at 620m elevation
  6. 5 : km 8.19 - alt. 854 m - Goatfell summit
  7. 6 : km 12.17 - alt. 225 m - Reservoir
  8. 7 : km 12.4 - alt. 216 m - Fork
  9. 8 : km 12.81 - alt. 162 m - Crossroads
  10. 9 : km 13.13 - alt. 122 m - Right turn with fork immediately after
  11. 10 : km 13.36 - alt. 106 m - Left turn after Mill Burn crossing
  12. 11 : km 13.85 - alt. 52 m - Rangers Centre
  13. 12 : km 14.13 - alt. 36 m - Visitor Centre
  14. 13 : km 14.29 - alt. 45 m - Brodick Castle
  15. 14 : km 14.37 - alt. 44 m - Path with stone toadstools on it
  16. 15 : km 14.65 - alt. 28 m - Fork beyond Mill Burn
  17. 16 : km 14.73 - alt. 24 m - Crossroads
  18. S/E : km 17.54 - alt. 6 m - Brodick Ferry Terminal, Isle of Arran

Practical information

For more information and a route review, visit Gillian's Walks

Transport
This route is designed to be walked from the ferry terminal without the need for other transport. However if you have a car, there is parking in front of the Wineport Bistro, Cladach (KA27 8DE) which is right at the start of the Goatfell footpath. It is also possible to use the local bus service from the Ferry Terminal to reach Cladach. This would shorten the walk by approx 3 miles / 4.8km.

Terrain/navigation
Rugged, mountainous terrain with some steep sections and scrambling. Otherwise a mix of woodland and gravel trails, sandy beach, wooden boardwalk. This is an exposed route and a paper map/compass is strongly advised to accompany this digital resource.

Amenities
Cafes, restaurants, bars, shops and accommodation in Brodick
Toilets at Brodick Ferry Terminal

In the nearby area

  • Isle of Arran - known as Scotland in Miniature, it is worth spending several days exploring this island.
  • The Fisherman's Walk
  • Brodick Castle & Country Park - a National Trust for Scotland property
  • Arran Chocolate Factory
  • Brodick Bay
  • Auchrannie Hotel & Spa
  • Wineport Bistro
  • Brodick Golf Course
  • Arran Heritage Museum
  • Arran Brewery
  • Arran Cheese Shop
  • Arran Aromatics

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