A pleasant circuit taking in the golf course and the banks of the River Averon. The walk goes up the river to a good picnic spot and then returns on the other side which has some good views of the river but where care needs to be taken with young children because of the steep sides.
Summary
Clear paths and minor road, with a short section of very steep path which can be avoided.
Terrain
Averon Leisure Centre in the middle of Alness, there is a signed car
park at the back.
[Map of start point, satnav coords and directions]
Start
Maps
Users'
rating
1. From the car park behind the Averon Centre walk back through the vehicular access road and turn left and follow the street out of town. Climb gently uphill and then turn left onto a track signed for Golf Course Circular Walk. Pass an electricity sub-station on your left and cross a stile and follow a short section of track to reach the golf course with the river on your left hand side. Take care to watch out for golfers and follow the white wooden markers across the course, keeping to the right side of the first green. When you reach the second green follow a path to the right and at the end of the green cross to the river side and turn left along a fence marked by a white post.
2. Follow the fence along the river until you reach a footbridge. Descend the steps and cross the bridge. At the other side, turn right and follow the path as it keeps to the river bank. After a while you reach a small grassy open area with a deep pool in the river. Take the path that turns uphill to the left and continue until a further picnic area is reached.
3. Retrace your steps back along the river bank to the bridge. Here continue on the same side of the river, keeping to the left when the path forks. If you want to avoid the steep section of path you can follow the path to the right which later rejoins the route. The river bank path narrows and emerges at a good viewpoint on a small cliff above the river. Continue on the path near the river's edge, with fishing spots visible on the far bank.
4. The path heads slightly inland and then climbs steeply. Soon you reach a clear fork in the path. Take the left path heading downhill. Follow this until it levels off and keep near the river to pass through a pedestrian gate next to a metal farm gate. The clear path passes through beech and birch trees with the backs of gardens on the right. This path eventually emerges onto a road. Turn left until you reach main street through Alness where you turn left again and cross the bridge to return to the Averon Centre and the start of the walk.
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