A path through attractive woodland provides an enjoyable circular walk from Balmacara, as well as the opportunity to link several other walks.
Summary
Well-marked path gives mostly good going but often muddy in places.
Terrain
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1. Park in the car park at the south end of Balmacara Square. This is a picturesque spot with several old cottages around a village pond. Part of the old stable block is a National Trust interpretative centre. Begin the walk by heading north along the road to Plockton. After about three hundred metres a track goes off to the right, signed for Achnahinich. Turn right along here, and follow the track for several hundred metres, ignoring other smaller tracks going off to the left. The track fords a stream (there is a footbridge to the left for walkers) and immediately after this bends right; at this point, turn left where there is both a pedestrian gate and stile. There is also a footpath sign here (again, signed Achnahinich) but it is partly obscured by the bushes. (If the main track is followed, and a right turn taken at the next junction, the Balmacara woodland walk will be joined).
2. Follow the footpath as it heads through the trees, soon crossing a small footbridge. During a more open section the path heads for a while towards the rocky knoll of Sgurr Beag, before plunging back into the birchwoods. There are good views back towards Loch Duich as the path winds to and for uphill between the lichen-encrusted trunks. The path is narrow and sometimes muddy but is clear to follow; at one point there is a National Trust marker post. Further on the path climbs out of the trees at last.
3. Just as the path deteriorates, a surfaced section is reached across the moor. There are excellent views ahead, both of nearby Loch Achaidh na h-Inich and the distant Applecross and Torridon mountains. Over to the right is the transmitter mast on Plockton Crags - a possible extension to this route. The path now heads downhill towards the loch, soon re-entering birchwoods.
4. Shortly after passing another footpath sign the path reaches the loch shore, and turns left along it. The tiny, cairn-crowned island that can be seen in the loch is the remains of the crannog. The path skirts the western side of the loch and crosses a sluice gate to reach the tarmac road at the northern shore. At this point, you have reached part of the Plockton Crags route. You can make that circuit from here before returning to Balmacara if you wish to extend the walk. To continue this route, turn right to follow the road along the side of the Loch. At the far end, take the track forking to the left rather than the gated track to Achnahinich Farm. Go through the wooden pedestrian gate and follow the forestry track uphill.
5. At the crossroads turn right (the straight on track leads to Plockton Crags). The track bends round to the right and crosses the stream on a bridge and then heads through forestry plantation before emerging above the Loch where there are pleasant views. Keep following the forestry track which eventually passes an impressive waterfall on the right and then continues to climb uphill.
6. Further on there are good views looking back of Blaven on Skye if the weather is clear. Eventually, just as the track starts to curve around to the left and head between the two hills, there is a track heading down to the right. Follow this as it bears right and heads downhill through the plantation, ignoring a small path which joins from the right. Go through the gate into more open land and continue on the main track ignoring the path to the left which is part of the Balmacara woodland walk. Soon the houses at Balmacara Square can be seen over the felled area to the left. Go over a stile and follow the track as it curves to the right and crosses a stream on a footbridge and then curves right before eventually reaching the road. Turn left to follow the road downhill to Balmacara Square.
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