This enjoyable walk begins by visiting the popular but dramatic cascade of Rogie Falls. It then escapes the crowds by heading up into the attractive area of forestry beyond, with a loop linking up with Contin forestry car park and an attractive stretch of riverbank.
Summary
Good forest paths and tracks; slightly muddy in places.
Terrain
Rogie Falls car park
[Map of start point, satnav coords and directions]
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1. This walk can be combined with the Viewrock circuit to make a longer walk if required. Park at Rogie Falls car park off the A835, 2 miles west of Contin - there are toilets here in the summer months. Do not head through the wooden shelter towards the toilets but instead take a path to the left, waymarked in red and green. The path heads gently downhill through pine and silver birch. At a cross-roads of paths continue straight ahead, crossing a slight rise before descending to reach a viewing area beside the Rogie Falls. Descend to the right to reach and cross the suspension bridge high above the water - the bridge gives the best views of this dramatic cascade. To the right of the falls, the smaller channel was artificially constructed at the same time as the Blackwater dam hydro scheme, so that salmon have an alternative means of climbing the falls when water levels are low.
2. On the far side of the bridge head up steps and then a winding footpath which climbs up to emerge on a forest track. This track also serves as a cycle route from Garve to Contin - which is signed to the right. Before heading this way, it is worth making a short detour along the track to the left to catch some dramatic views up and down the river.
3. Return to the top of the path and now follow the track towards Contin. Keep on the track, which passes through a more open section with views across the countryside, and ignoring paths off to the left and right (the River Walk signed on the right is used for the return). After about two kilometres you will reach a junction with a signpost indicating left for View Rock and straight on for Strathpeffer; turn right here following the path with green waymarkers downhill, crossing over another track, to descend to Contin Forest car park.
4. At the picnic area, turn right through the car park and pick up and follow the red trail upriver. When the red trail doubles back on itself, leave it and continue straight ahead on the path continuing upriver. Eventually the route curves to the right uphill away from the water; later it comes alongside a cascading burn. Further up the track used earlier is rejoined at the 'River walk' sign. Turn left on this track, back towards Rogie Falls. When reaching the signposted path down to Rogie Falls, turn left to head back down to the falls and across the suspension bridge.
5. Once across the suspension bridge, turn left to follow a path which soon forks. A short detour to the left here leads up to the Raven's Crag viewpoint looking back to the bridge and falls; after enjoying this rejoin the main path which, after a zig-zagging ascent, rejoins the outward route once more at the cross-paths near the car park. Turn left here to head back to the start.
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