Local to the Lovat

Walk or Cycle Paths

The Falls of Foyers

Distance: 3.9 kms,
Approximate Time: 75 minutes
Height Gain: 100 metres
OS Map: Explorer 416: Inverness, Loch Ness & Culloden

Description

This is a short walk to enjoy if you are passing through Foyers on your way alongside Loch Ness; guaranteed to stretch both legs and lungs... Foyers is in two parts, Upper and Lower; and the falls are best reached from Upper Foyers. You can extend the walk by going on into Lower Foyers, on the lochside. (This is one of the best areas for spotting the Monster...) The paths are narrow and steep; a lot of work has been put into them, steps built, fencing erected; but the paths can be slippery in wet weather (see the notice at the start of the walk). The gorge is narrow and wooded, very attractive.

Access Info

If approaching Foyers from Inverness, take the Upper Foyers road a mile before Foyers. Park at the small car park next to the general store / post office, on the main road. There is a limited bus service from Inverness to Foyers.

The Ness Islands

Distance: 2.75 kms
Approximate Time: 45 minutes
Height Gain: 0 metres
OS Map: Explorer 416: Inverness, Loch Ness & Culloden


Description

Although within the city, the Ness Islands could be a million miles from it. The islands, linked by several old bridges, offer a quiet, scenic walk through tall, old native and imported trees (it would be nice if some of them were labelled and the approximate year of planting given). Lots of camera angles on the walk and you pass some of the best salmon pools on the lower Ness. An enjoyable family walk and it is suited to wheelchairs.
This is also the opening (or closing) part of the Great Glen Way.

Access Info

In Inverness make your way to the east end of The Infirmary Bridge (664446). It's the first footbridge upstream from the main road-bridge.

Dog Falls and Coire Loch (Glen Affric)

Distance: 5.23 kms
Approximate Time: 100 minutes
Height Gain: 200 metres
OS Map: Explorer 415: Glen Affric & Glen Moriston

Description

This is a walk on well-maintained paths with numerous informative notices along the route. These give so much information on the trees and the forest as a habitat. Did you know that Coire Loch, sheltered at the bottom of a bowl, is a nationally important site for dragonflies, with fourteen different species breeding there? The car park is quite large (it's a busy one), with toilets and picnic tables. Those wishing to do only the shorter Dog Falls Walk can branch off.

Access Info

At Cannich go straight on to the Fasnakyle Power Station and there turn up right, on the Glen Affric road (single-track with passing places). About two miles from the power station you'll see the well-signposted car park on your left.

Jenkins Park Circuit, Fort Augustus

Distance: 6.44 kms
Approximate Time: 120 minutes
Height Gain: 250 metres
OS Map: Explorer 400: Loch Lochy & Glen Roy

Description

This is a good morning's or afternoon's walk. It is circular and the outward part follows an old military road leading over to Glenmoriston. There are no waymark posts but the route presents no difficulty. It's a forest walk but with many open areas giving good views; you also pass two waterfalls. Waterproof footwear is recommended.

Access Info

From the Information Centre in Fort Augustus go left on the A82 for fifty metres to a sign for Jenkins Park. Turn off there up the steep Bunoich Brae till you reach a signpost for Jenkins Park 0.75mile. Follow this sign till the road turns left; but you keep straight on, on a narrower road, to park at the road end (371095).

Drumnadrochit - Craigmonie - Divach Falls

Distance: 8.05 kms
Approximate Time: 150 minutes
Height Gain: 150 metres
OS Map: Explorer 416: Inverness, Loch Ness & Culloden

Description

A family walk from the village of Drumnadrochit, on the north shore of Loch Ness. Drumnadrochit is the main Monster-spotting centre, so carry your binoculars and camera. The walk climbs to the viewpoint on Craigmonie then goes on to the Divach Falls, returning by a slightly different route. You begin at the car park in the village centre, go along two streets, then climb Craigmonie Hill (150m) through mixed woodlands, on good, often narrow, paths. There are strategically placed seats... The view from the viewpoint, looking over the village to Urquhart Bay and Loch Ness, is superb. The few remains of the Iron Age fort are a few metres above the viewpoint. After descending into the valley of the River Coiltie there is a steep climb, on a road, to reach the Divach Falls. Return to the car park is by a shorter route. Overall there are some steepish sections, but, not hurrying, it`s an easy family walk.

Access Info

Drumnadrochit is 15 miles south of Inverness,on the A82, on the north shore of Loch Ness. The car park is in the centre of the village, at the Information Centre. Scottish Citylink operate between Inverness and Drumnadrochit.

Additional Info

Craigmonie Hill takes its name from a Norse prince, Monie, who was killed here in the 11th century.

The Divach Falls are 100ft (30m) high. They used to attract a lot of artists, and a painting of them by John Phillips now hangs in Buckingham Palace.

If you have time only to climb Craigmonie you can visit the Falls later by car.

Dores - Aldourie - Dores

Distance: 4.83 kms
Approximate Time: 90 minutes
Height Gain: 50 metres
OS Map: Explorer 416: Inverness, Loch Ness & Culloden

Description

A short circular walk at the northern end of Loch Ness, partly along the loch shore and partly along a ridge, with views along The Great Glen.
On this walk you can see from one end of Loch Ness to the other. Paths are good; no need for special footwear. Near the start of the walk there is a children`s play area. Look out for the wildlife....we found a young bat! Good family walk.

Access Info

If in Inverness take the B862 to Dores (8 miles). From the south you will be on the B852 to Dores. At Dores park in the empty space opposite the Dores Inn (599348). There is a bus service from Inverness.

River Oich Walk: Fort Augustus

Distance: 6.44 kms
Approximate Time: 120 minutes
Height Gain: 5 metres
OS Map: Explorer 400: Loch Lochy & Glen Roy

Description

The walk begins a mile out of Fort Augustus at a Forestry Commission Scotland car park and picnic site. It is well-waymarked and the paths are clear. The bank of the river has been cleared to allow salmon fishing - the Oich is a well-known salmon river. As well as salmon in the river, roe deer, red squirrel and buzzards may be seen in the forest. This is a good family walk.

Access Info

From the Information Centre in Fort Augustus, go left (north) on the A82 for only 100m and turn left up the steep Bunoich Brae at the sign 'Auchterawe 2.5miles'. Go on to the sign 'Auchterawe 2 miles' and turn left. When you come to the sign Auchterawe 1.25miles go left, past the Forestry Offices, to the car park; it's well-signposted.

Caledonian Canal: Fort Augustus - Kytra Lock

Distance: 8 kms
Approximate Time: 150 minutes
Height Gain: 10 metres
OS Map: Explorer 400: Loch Lochy & Glen Roy

Description

This walk is along the old towpath on the Caledonian Canal, from the village of Fort Augustus to the Kytra Lock. With the canal on one side of the path and the scenic River Oich on the other, there are many beautiful views. A good family walk - the towpath is broad and firm all the way; no mud; no special footwear required (although if you go down to the riverside you could be in mud). There is a picnic area at Kytra Lock. There is no complete path on the other bank of the canal, so you return to Fort Augustus by the outward path.

Access Info

Park in the main car park in the centre of the village, by the Information Centre (378093).

Foyers to Whitebridge

Distance: 11.27 kms
Approximate Time: 180 minutes
Height Gain: 100 metres
OS Map: Explorer 416: Inverness, Loch Ness & Culloden

Description

A really delightful walk along the River Foyers. You can do it one way (3.5 miles); but we enjoyed it so much - beautiful views of the Monadhliath Hills and the river gorges - that we turned and walked back.
The walk is very varied - rough grazing, birch woods, fields (with right of way) and the riverbank; and all the time the Monadhliath Hills are in sight. Although the paths are good, boots are advised. There are lots of sheep about, so dogs will have to be on their best behaviour... A good family walk with picnic sites by the river.

Access Info

Leave Upper Foyers going south and look out for the first narrow road going off to your right; it's marked with a white sign, 'Intake House'. At the end of this short road there is parking by an old bridge (497199). There are two car parks, the other at Whitebridge, near the bridge (487153).

Gleann Laogh, Invergarry

Distance: 4 kms
Approximate Time: 90 minutes
Height Gain: 100 metres
OS Map: Explorer 400: Loch Lochy & Glen Roy

Description

This is one of five walks laid out here, accessible from two nearby car parks (a second walk is detailed in Walk 2023). The walk has three contrasting parts - a forest walk, a walk above the treeline giving good views and a walk along the tumbling River Garry where leaping salmon may be seen. A good walk for all ages; boots are advised. Refreshments are available in nearby Invergarry.

Access Info

About two miles west of Invergarry on the A87, turn off across the bridge over the River Garry. Immediately over the bridge, turn sharp right into the car park (NH 283013).

Allt na Cailliche, Invergarry

Distance: 5 kms
Approximate Time: 90 minutes
Height Gain: 125 metres
OS Map: Explorer 400: Loch Lochy & Glen Roy

Description

The walk has two contrasting parts, the first being a climb on a broad forest track and the other a charming descent through a gorge (lovely waterfall) on a twisting, varied path, with good views above the forest. Boots are recommended and the walk is suitable for all ages, taking the initial climb at a comfortable pace... There are five walks here. Refreshments are available in nearby Invergarry.

Access Info

Take the road to Skye out of Invergarry (A87). About two miles from the village turn off left, crossing the River Garry. Follow this forestry road for 400m to the car park (281005).

Errogie - Foyers

Distance: 9 kms
Approximate Time: 135 minutes
Height Gain: 150 metres
OS Map: Explorer 416: Inverness, Loch Ness & Culloden

Description

There are three walks available here. The one described is the longest and includes the navigation involved in the other two. The opening part of the walk soon gets onto a delightful narrow path through open woodland; a middle section is on a forest road; and the last is again single-file walking past the reservoir, overlooking Loch Ness. One or two short bits are on tarred roads.

Access Info

The Errogie car parking is at 548226 and can be reached from Errogie or Foyers. In Upper Foyers there is a car park (and information and toilets and a cafe) next to the post office.