Aird Mhor and the Falls of Balgy

1. There is limited parking for about three cars on the north verge of the A896 immediately to the west of West Lodge where the walk begins - it is not labelled on Landranger maps but is at NG857541. (If full, there is alternative parking half way round the walk, with space for at least one car just west of the bridge over the Balgy.) Take the track that passes between the two buildings at West Lodge to immediately reach a t-junction with another track, marked as a 'Private Road to Log House'. Turn right along this and follow it through the forest, a mix of Scots Pine, rhododendrons and other species. At open stretches there are stunning views across Loch Torridon to Beinn Alligin on the left, and the west end of Liathach directly ahead.

2. Ignore a track coming in from the left at a sharply angled junction; the next section is a detour out to visit the Aird Mhor peninsula and you will return to this point and take the left hand track later. Firstly, continue ahead until another junction is reached; turn left here onto a newly repaired track past a metal barrier. The start of the next section of path is hard to locate as the beginning has been lost in a new ditch; take a right turn about a hundred metres after the junction, before the track reaches a section with a low cliff. Once across the ditch the path, though muddy, becomes easier to follow; turn left at a junction with another path. This continues around the east side of the peninsula, giving grand views, particularly over a house at the tip.

3. The path rejoins the track; turn right and follow it to the house. Soon the track swings right down to the shore but the walk continues on a clear path ahead between the pine trees. The route is ingeniously constructed in places and soon curves left to give views over the other side of the peninsula. The steep rounded hill ahead is the Sgurr na Bana Mhoraire, the northernmost termination of the Beinn Damh ridge.

4. The path eventually leads back to the track. Turn right and return to the junction with the metal barrier; again go right here to reach the fork mentioned earlier. This time take the lower, right hand track. This leads easily to the west and passes a large house built from logs. Ignore a track off to the right, and at another junction where a track swings left continue straight ahead to reach an old house. Follow the track from here up to reach the A896 just east of the bridge over the Balgy (strangely this section of track is not marked on OS Explorer maps).

5. Cross the road to head through a pedestrian gate on the far side. This gives access to a path that crosses a stream on stepping stones and soon comes close to the River Balgy. Continue upstream; the route is clear but boggy in places. It soon reaches the Falls of Balgy where the river drops several metres in a powerful cascade. The Balgy, though short, is well known as a salmon river and the fish can sometimes be seen leaping the falls in the summer. The path climbs above the falls and then passes through a gate in a deer fence. Further on a signpost indicates a path off to the left to a Viewpoint; this rough path climbs the moor to give more views of the Torridon hills though perhaps less fine from those earlier in the walk so you won't be missing out if you omit it.

6. Instead continue ahead to pass through another gate, after which the path continues beside the still waters of Loch Damh. The path then passes through a third fence. Just beyond this a track comes down to the shores of the loch. Turn left and follow this uphill to join a larger one. Turn left again here and follow the track beside the fence. It climbs slightly before descending to reach the A896 directly opposite West Lodge and the start.

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