Follow an old coffin road as it climbs high through native birchwoods on the north side of Loch Ness, with superb views.
Woodland paths, fairly steep, muddy in places.
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Clansman Hotel car park, Loch Ness. Map and directions.
Start at the Clansman Hotel on the A82 on the north side of Loch Ness. The start of the walk is from the north end of the car park, beside the 'Coaches only' and 'Drive on left' signs; there is also an information board giving details of the trails in the woods here. Follow the wide path as it climbs across the slope, soon passing a Woodlands Trust sign welcoming you to Abriachan Woods. Soon good views begin to open up over Loch Ness through the birches; at a fork in the path keep on the main, left hand route.
The path keeps remarkably straight and the gradient remains the same for just over a kilometre until a dog-leg is reached where the path turns hard left. It then reaches a junction; turn right here to resume the original direction (the other path is used on the return). At one point there is a seat over to the right giving a chance to soak up the views over the loch. Continue on the path - which can be muddy on this stretch - to reach a gate and stile; the woodland is left behind a short distance beyond.
The path continues below a house at Balchraggan and then swings left to head up to a track beside the house. Turn left here onto the track, ignoring a first track off to the right but then turning up a second, signed for Peat Path and Carn na Letire. This climbs back into the woods. Ignore a path off to the right (that enables a link with the Abriachan Forest trails). Eventually a picnic table and signpost is reached at a junction of paths. Turn left here, signed for the Loch Ness Clansman (the path ahead eventually links with the Great Glen Way).
The path descends to reach a bench above a particularly steep section of the hillside above Loch Ness, giving wonderfully airy open views. From here the path turns left to continue the descent, which is a little rough in places. The outward route is rejoined at the junction mentioned earlier; continue ahead downhill here and then round the sharp bend to the right to return back down to the Clansman hotel.
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Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is each walkers' responsibility to check it and navigate using a map and compass.
