This pleasant circuit has good views over Mallaig harbour and across Loch Nevis to Knoydart. A good way to spent spare time whilst waiting for a ferry.
Bog Factor
Well constructed paths; includes some ascent
Mallaig East Bay car park.
Bus or train to Mallaig.
NM679969
Mallaig is small working fishing-port which had its origins in the herring boom of the 1800s and then benefited from the construction of the West Highland railway. Today it is a bustling, working port with few pretentions but a pleasant enough place. Park at the East Bay car park; this parking area runs right round the harbour front. The start of the this walk is on the opposite side of the road, between a modern house and a bungalow, marked with a 'Mallaig Circular walk' plaque. The path is well constructed; as it climbs up behind the bungalows it goes through a gate.
As the path gains height there are a couple of benches with views back over Mallaig. Further on the path forks; the left branch leads to the housing estates on the edge of Mallaig, so instead fork right. The route then enters an empty, peaceful little glen completely hidden from the town.
Further on a signpost is reached indicating a path off to the right for Loch an Nostarie. Don't take this turning (which is a longer, wetter walk), but if the weather is good it is worth detouring up the branch to the left here instead for a view from the hilltop.
To continue the walk, continue on the main path which now begins to descend. In good weather there are great views ahead across Loch Nevis to the mountains of Knoydart.
The path soon joins the driveway from an attractive white cottage over to the right; bear left continuing along this drive; there are now views to the Sleat peninsula of Skye. Continue along the track until it meets a tarmac road.
Turn left along the road to return to Mallaig. The road leads into a housing estate and joins another road at a sharp bend; take the lower branch road here, bearing right. This road soon slopes down to the harbourside and leads back to the start.
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