A pleasant, easy forestry walk visiting a hilltop with wide views.
Summary
The route is not waymarked but follows forest tracks throughout, with some ascent.
Terrain
Parking at entrance to Belladrum Forest
[Map of start point, satnav coords and directions]
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Buy Explorer 431 – Strathglass
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Nearest bus route is along the A833 Beauly – Drumnadrochit Road, 1 kilometre from start of walk.
Open Traveline Scotland
Public transport
1. Take the Belladrum minor road (beside the lodge house) off the A833 about four kilometres from Beauly. The road twists and turns before reaching a few houses on the right hand side. The start of the walk is opposite here on the left, where a track enters the forest with a 'Belladrum Forest' sign. Park tight up on the left of the track entrance, taking care to ensure that the entrance is not blocked. The walk begins up the track. Continue up the track, which after an initial straight section curves to the right, heading uphill. As height is gained there are some good views through the trees on your right, looking out over Strathglass. Look out also for Red Squirrels, which are plentiful in this woodland, and wild flowers. After about a kilometre and a half you will reach a wide junction of tracks; turn left here.
2. The track now climbs a little before becoming more level and undulating. After half a kilometre another junction is reached with track coming in from the right; turn left, keeping on the main track and passing some rocky outcrops on the right. A very short distance further on turn left again onto another track which heads downhill. At the next junction, turn right onto yet another track. This climbs up to the mobile phone mast on the summit of Phoineas Hill, just over 180 metres high. Walk round the mast to reach the pleasanter rocky top just beyond; there are wide views across the Strath here, with sections of the River Beauly clearly visible. There is an iron age fort on the second, lower summit of the hill half a kilometre to the northeast, but unfortunately there is no easy route to it through the trees.
Photo - Chris Upson 
3. Return back down the track to the last junction, this time turning right. The track winds downhill through the forestry. This bends left at the bottom of the forest and leads to 'Tigh Romach', a beautifully built estate cottage (cottages on this estate can be booked for a self-catering holiday in our cottages section). At the front of the cottage, turn left and follow the track back to the minor road. Turn left here to return to the start.
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