Aldourie Castle circuit, Dores

LOCH NESS AREA


Summary :	Circular walk with great views down Loch Ness and possibility of seeing red squirrels and deer in the woods.
Terrain :	Walk on good paths and forestry track.
Grade :		Distance :	6km/3.75 miles
Bog Factor :		Time :	1 - 2 hours
Start :	Dores - car park behind Old Dores Inn.	Grid ref :	NH598348
Map :	View an OS map showing this route Buy Explorer 416 - Loch Ness online	Ascent :	62m
GPS Route/ Waypoints :	Open this walk in QUO 2 Tell me more Open this walk in GPX format (compatible with Memory map etc)	Open in Virtual Highlands Tell me more Open this walk in Google Earth Tell me more
Pronunciation and meaning :	Press play button to listen Tell me more
Public Transport :	Bus service to Dores.[Click for timetables - choose Area 3]

1. Start the walk from the public car park accessed through the Old Dores Inn car park - if there is no space there is a parking bay on the main road opposite a phone box. From the car park take the path (passing the Nessie spotter's caravan) to the children's playground. From here the path follows the back of the beach with good views over the gorse to Loch Ness.

2. Keep on the main (lower) path as it enters the woodland. Eventually the path emerges at a barrier and Aldourie Pier where boats are moored. Here you can take a detour to view Aldourie Castle - to do this follow the narrow path between the loch and the house as it goes through woodland choked with rhododendrons before widening out to reach a gate with a view of the castle.

3. Originally a 16th century stone tower, the castle was extended to its present size in Victorian times. Now privately owned, there is no access to the immediate castle grounds. Before returning to Aldourie pier you may want to take a couple of steps up the track into the pine woods where there are often red squirrels.

4. Once back at the pier, take the path uphill just before a derelict building and a walkers welcome sign. The path climbs until it reaches a track. Turn right and follow the track through the woods until you reach a clear fork. Turn left here through a stand of beech trees with open views over farmland. As you enter pine trees take a path to the left downhill to return to the original path across the beach to Dores.

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Route profile

View Accommodation for this area:
Hotels in Loch Ness and Fort Augustus area
B&B around Loch Ness and Fort Augustus area
Fort Augustus and Drumnadrochit self catering cottages
Dores and Foyers self catering cottages
Hostels in Loch Ness and Glen Affric