Explore the woods and hills to the north of Strathpeffer on this enjoyable circuit that returns via Loch Kinellan and its crannog.
Summary
Paths and tracks throughout; quite rough in parts.
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1. Park in the centre of Strathpeffer, amidst a range of fascinating buildings. The village was established as a fashionable Victorian Spa and is still popular with visitors today. Begin the walk by heading up the road opposite the Spa Pavillion, passing the Wee Swally tea room and a fine turreted house. Continue along the road up the hill, turning left at a cross-roads just beyond the church; there is a green sign marked with footprints and the Deer logo of the Central Ross footpath network. When the road forks, take the higher right hand fork, passing some attractive but more modest cottages.
2. Look out for a broad path on the right that heads up into Ord Woods, passing some gravestones; it is marked with a deer marker post. Go through the gate into the woods and then turn right at a signed junction. The path keeps to the lower edge of the woods and has some good views over Strathpeffer towards the hill of Knockfarrel. The path eventually heads through a kissing gate to almost reach the golf course; turn left here, following a path that soon joins a track. When this swings away from the woods, keep left and walk up the edge of the golf course right beside the top of Ord Woods.
3. There are lovely views over the open countryside looking back over the golf course before the route passes behind a tee and then heads back into the woods at a stile. Cross the stile and then follow the path through the trees to the right. The path soon forks; keep on the main path to the left, following the deer marker posts. The path then swings right again and at one point there is a view of Loch Kinellan ahead. When a footpath signpost is reached, the walk could be shortened by turning left to return to Strathpeffer. To continue, turn right, signed for Kinellan. The path curves right round the top of the woods before swinging left to leave the trees by crossing a stile (marker post).
4. The path now runs across more open countryside with widely scattered birches, and crosses a small footbridge. Eventually it curves left and heads over a ladder stile. Turn right on the broad track beyond, signed Kinellan Viewpoint and Contin, and ignore a grassy trod off to the left. Slightly further on turn left onto a well-worn path; there is no sign but there was a small stone cairn at the time of our visit. When the path forks, go left again - this time there is a deer marker post. The path leads up to a seat looking out over the area and then bends right. Keep left at two forks to reach a track, and then turn right along this (signed for Contin and Garve).
5. Go left at the next junction (the track to the right makes possible a link with the View Rock circuit and Contin) and continue through a gate. The track now passes alongside the far end of Loch Kinellan. The large wooded island in the loch is actually a crannog, an artificial iron-age lake dwelling which provided a safe haven from raids or wolves. Continue to reach a road close to a distinctive modern cylindrical house. Turn right here and head down the road.
6. Follow the quiet minor road all the way down to reach the main A834 opposite a fine white building which was once the Youth Hostel. Turn left, soon joining a pavement and follow this all the way back to the Spa Pavillion and the start in the centre of Strathpeffer.
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