Straightforward walk on a track through the attractive woodland beside Loch Arkaig. The walk visits a bothy before returning the same way.
Summary
Easy track throughout; the track is boggy on the final approach to the bothy.
Terrain
NN177888
Grid ref
9km/5.5 miles
Distance
Grade
Eas Chia-aig forest car park
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Pronunciation
and meaning
1. Park at the forestry car park by Eas Chia-Aig falls. The walk begins by heading west along the road. Almost immediately the road crosses a bridge with a great view of the double waterfalls, and a beautiful picnic area alongside. This is the location where Liam Leeson leapt across the river in the Hollywood film Rob Roy. Continue along the road for several hundred metres, turning left onto a track just after the cattle grid, signed 'Locheil Estate – Private Road' (walkers are allowed).
2. The tarmac track leads road the east end of Loch Arkaig, amongst the beautiful alder and willow woodland that can tolerate the often flooded ground; there are great views up the loch. Cross the wooden bridge to reach a t-junction; turn right here. From here few directions are needed as the track continues for several kilometres through the woodland a little above the level of the loch; there are glimpses of the water through the trees.
3. The track climbs a little at first and is cut into the hillside before descending back to the level of the loch with good views. Loch Arkaig is a vast sheet of water and is a world away from the busy tourist routes around Loch Lochy or Loch Ness. After several kilometres an attractive wooden house is reached, used by fishing parties. Pass through a gate beyond here and the track begins to emerge from the woodland.
4. As the trees are left behind look out for a fainter, more overgrown track leading off to the right. This is the line of the original track as shown on Ordnance Survey maps; to reach the bothy you must turn off here as the new main track heads up into Glen Mallie. Continue on the old track which is wetter underfoot and passes through a copse of trees. After a few boggy sections the track finally reaches Invermallie. This is an open bothy; please help to maintain it by carrying out any litter you find here as well as your own. There was formerly a bridge over the river just beyond the bothy, but this collapsed and has been removed, hence the new track left earlier. The return is by the same route.
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