Kilsture Forest Circular

About Kilsture Forest Circular

Both starting at Kilsture Forest Car Park in Sorbie, there is a choice of two linear walks with loops, on forest tracks and roads.

The Woodpecker Trail is marked the yellow waymarkers; the Deer Trail has the white waymarkers. The end loop of the Deer Trail takes you to a car park at the far end of the forest, cross this in order to pick up the continuation of the trail. When the path rejoins the outgoing path, turn right to return to your car. The forest trails of Kilsture are shared with cyclists and horse riders and take an interesting meandering line through the hardwood trees. There are fine specimen larch trees which turn golden in autumn and either side of the forest there is meadow and pasture. You may hear alarm calls of cock pheasants and overhead cries of buzzards. There are some Dawn Redwood trees at the end of the Deer Trail. These graceful trees are natives of the Western Seaboard of the United States and have thick spongy fireproof bark.

The Woodpecker Trail consists of firm gravel and earth surface, with some uneven and potentially muddy sections. Includes some short fairly steep slopes

The Deer Trail is home to some red deer and wood anemones among the oak, beech and ash trees. Mostly firm gravel and earth surface, with some uneven rocky sections. Short fairly steep slopes. Includes some muddy sections and low branches.

Although not designated as wheelchair-friendly, the 'deer trail' which this walk in part follows is firm and even, with reinforced paths and in dry conditions at least, may be accessible for about two miles for wheelchair users. However, it is also a popular recreational facility with horse-riders and dog-walkers. After following the 'deer trail' on its outward leg, then reaching the car park at Hazelbank, where wheelchair users should turn back, the route veers off along a narrow, undulating path deep into and across the forest.