A good walk on a clear path with great views over Loch Maree's islands and the mountains beyond. The terrain is a mixture of open moorland and both mixed and pine woodland nearer the loch.
Summary
Good clear path with some short uphill sections and a long descent to Loch Maree with one small rocky part.
Terrain
Parking at either end of the walk. At Tollie there is a layby on the A832 10 metres downhill from
the walk start.
[Map of start point, satnav coords and directions]
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rating
There is an infrequent bus service joining both ends of the walk.
Open Traveline Scotland
Public transport
1. The time and distance given are for one way but this would also make a good round trip as the views are different in each direction. As a round trip from Slattadale an extra 3 miles could be added on to allow a visit to Poolewe by walking along the road from Tollie before returning. For the one-way walk to Slattadale, park at the layby on the A832 about 1.5 miles south of Poolewe. The walk starts 10 metres further up the road where a signed path leads down from the opposite side of the road. To the south east there are good views to the Tollie Bay and the foot Loch Maree. Follow the path as it crosses a stream on stepping stones and passes through a gate. The track narrows to form a clear stony path which crosses another stream and then rises in stages onto the moor.
2. Creag Mhor Thollaidh provides an impressive buttress on the left as the path winds up the hillside, crossing the stream on a couple of wooden bridges. Before reaching the highest point a small lochan is passed on the left - in the summer this is often full of flowering waterlilies. A small stone cairn marks the high point of the pass as the Torridon mountains come into view in the distance.
3. Follow the path as it begins the descent towards Loch Maree. Here it follows a line of electricity poles. The islands on Loch Maree now come into view. These islands are home to some of Scotland's oldest pinewoods, with the present day trees directly descended from the first Scots pine to colonise the area about 8,000 years ago. Today the islands are a National Nature Reserve. Continue on the path downhill until it levels off and turns south to cross low growing alder and heather with open views across the Loch.
4. The path continues to skirt Loch Maree and then crosses a small stream before going through a gate into the Slattadale forest. After a short section of pine plantation, the path crosses more open ground and climbs uphill to a viewpoint with great views across the Loch to Letterewe and the mountains beyond, Slioch is dominant if looking down the Loch. Continue through the pleasant pine woods, where pine martens are present but rarely seen. The path undulates through the pine trees on a stony track until reaching a ford. If the stream is too high, a short diversion path signed for a bridge can be taken. After the ford the path soon reaches the picnic area, toilets and car park at Slattadale.
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