GGW 5: Low Route - Invermoriston to Drumnadrochit

Summary

The Great Glen Way low level option from Invemoriston keeps through the forestry north of Loch Ness, with good views at times across the water to the hills on the south side of the Loch. The walk passes through varied woodland before reaching Bunloit. An excellent path that avoids the road on one side, and off to the other, before a final steep descent gives great views over Drumnadrochit.

Please read the WARNING below before setting out on this route.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Waymarked walking on tracks and paths throughout; fair amount of ascent and a steep descent.

Getting there

Start

Invermoriston.

Public Transport

Buses run on A82 between Fort William and Inverness.

Start Grid Ref

NH420167

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Services

Invermoriston has a hotel / inn and bed and breakfast accommodation. There are hotels, B&Bs, hostels and a campsite at Drumnadrochit, as well as shops and cafes.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 22.7km / 14 miles
Time: 5.5 - 7 hours
Ascent: 670m (Profile)

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Explorer 416 - Loch Ness

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Walk Description

User reports (1)

WARNING

Low Route will be diverted onto High Route 2.11.26 - 21.12.26 just after Invermoriston to near Alltsigh for forestry works - follow signs.

The information shown above is the latest we have. If you have an update then please email us.

Stage 1

From the car park in Invermoriston head along the main road towards Inverness, but then turn left opposite the Glenmoriston Arms Hotel (signed for Skye). After less than 100m turn right to follow a tarmac lane that heads gently uphill at first. The lane as it bears left and heads behind the old Manse before heading more steeply uphill in a series of zig-zags. Eventually at a cross roads turn right along a track, soon ignoring the left turn - which is the High Route variant - and instead continue along the track. There are excellent views over Loch Ness.

Stage 2

Ignore a track heading steeply down off right. Eventually a marked junction is reached. Go right here onto a lesser track (blue waymarker). At the next junction another blue marker indicates where to leave the track by turning right onto a clear path. A sign ahead here indicates a detour to a stone seat - but it is quite overgrown and the seat no longer has a view). Continue on the path, which cuts across the hillside and gives more open views over Loch Ness.

Stage 3

Eventually the track heads down to meet a larger track. Turn left along this. The next section is almost level, winding through the trees. When a junction is reached, keep straight ahead, ignore the track off right. Later, at a fork, take the right, downhill branch (waymarker) This descends and eventually crosses a bridge over a burn with tumbling waterfalls at Alltsigh. Here it is said that the last she-wolf in Scotland was killed. This part of the route has several small areas of native pinewood and is home to pine martens, Scottish crossbill, and black grouse, as well as a rare hoverfly.

Stage 4

After the bridge keep on the track straight ahead, then bending left on the main track to climb uphill. Keep climbing and you will be eventually be rewarded with views across the water to Foyers and the nearby hydro-power station. Water from lochs in the hills above Loch Ness is forced down through pipes to generate electricity, and when demand for power reduces at night, the water is pumped back up ready for the next day. The dark shape of the old aluminium smelting works can also be seen - one of only a very few local places to be bombed during World War 2 as the metal from the factory was used to make fighter planes.

Stage 5

Eventually the route bends left (marker), then right, continuing a zig-zag course to gain more height. At a signpost the route rejoins with the High Route (coming in from your left); bear right here. The track continues to climb, reaching the highest point of the day, and there are some excellent views again over Loch Ness. The track narrows to a path and continues ahead through the trees. The path almost meets a forestry track, but passes through the first of several gates and keeps left of it. Ignore a gate on the left (onto a grassy track) and keep on the path, which soon emerges from the trees into a grassy area. Eventually it swings left and reaches the road end at Grotaig. You could make a detour here to visit the pottery 200m off left, which has a small, seasonal cafe.

Stage 6

Otherwise, turn right and follow an off road path on the left side of the narrow road. Eventually it joins the tarmac, but then the route heads off the other side of the road on a well-made path. Follow this, going almost straight across at a track, and straight ahead again when the path reaches and recrosses the road. After a section right beside the road then route bears left into the trees. Go across at a forestry track, and follow the path through the trees. Eventually it emerges into a more open section. Descend steeply, soon passing through a gap in a stone wall. There are views over Drumnadrochit as the path descends steeply; turn left when it meets a track. At the bottom of the hill it veers right. It passes Clunebeg Lodge and then follows the river to the main road. Turn left here to follow the pavement into Drumnadrochit.

Next stage: Drumnadrochit to Inverness Low Route OR Drumnadrochit to Inverness High Route

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