Glen Rosa Walk

If you’re lucky enough to be on the Isle of Arran, Glen Rosa is a beautiful glen with nearby Goatfell mountain providing stunning scenery.

The terrain

The glen is fairly low-lying, meaning that the walk is not particularly difficult, gaining less than 200 metres altitude.

Allow around 2.5-3 hours to complete this 8.5km/5.25mile circular route. Tracks are mainly beaten earth tracks, aggregate footpaths and surfaced roads. The track can be boggy in places.

Getting there

A good point for parking and starting your walk through Glen Rosa is at the Wineport Bistro in Brodick. By public transport, take a bus to the Cladach Visitor Centre, which is across the road from our starting point.

Let’s go walking…

Leaving from the courtyard of Arran Brewery and behind the Wineport Bistro, which is a easily-recognisable pink building, you’ll find the Goatfell path in the far corner. Take this path for a short distance as it gradually climbs into the woodland.

Continue along the Goatfell trail before taking the next left over a stone bridge then turn left onto the route marked ‘Easceanoch Trail’. Follow this track through mature woodland until you reach a wooden footbridge. Cross the footbridge and follow the path up a slight incline until you reach the road at a stone bridge. Do not cross this bridge but instead proceed straight before crossing the road and entering the ‘Cnocan Gorge Trail’.

If you’d like a diversion, you’ll see a trail leading off to the right after 50 metres, as well as the next route towards Duchess’ Pool.

To stay on the Glen Rosa walk, continue to ascend before turning left at the next junction, following the sign for ‘Glen Rosa’. Continue along the grassy track which follows alongside a forest with open moorland below and increasingly dramatic views ahead.

You’ll soon reach a T-junction before a dry stane dyke (a stone wall), turn right here and pass through a gap in a further dyke before turning left. You’ll follow a rough path through the trees – walk along the edge of the forest until you reach a gate. Pass through the gate to emerge out onto the open hillside.

Fancy a dip?

Next, follow a narrow and often boggy path along the lower slopes of Creag Rosa with Glenrosa Water below; a popular spot for wild swimmers if you fancy a dip!

The views continue to improve as the path leads further into the glen. You’ll see the A’Chir ridge ahead and Cir Mhor emerging as the path curves northwards. The path will eventually descend towards a footbridge across the river. Cross the footbridge and decide whether to make a diversion right to continue up the glen for improved views of the surrounding hills.

Otherwise, turn left to begin making your way out of the glen. You’ll notice the path becomes more substantial and eventually becomes a vehicle track. You will soon pass Glenrosa Campsite and after 1km the path joins the B880 road. Turn left for a short distance to reach a junction with the A841 before turning left. Finally, cross Rosa Bridge and follow the road for another 1km to reach the start of the route.

What’s next?

Upon your return, why not visit Brodick Castle and Country Park or if you’ve worked up and appetite Eighteen 69 presents Scottish tapas which is great to share.

If a refreshing beer would hit the spot, there’s also the Arran Brewery or grab a bite to eat at Wineport Bistro? Art lovers should head to the Cladach Visitor Centre, home to many artists’ workshops and gift shops, as well as a picnic area.