South Loch Ness Trail - Loch Tarff to Dores

[andrewl7642]

Walking the South Loch Ness Trail from Loch Tarff to Dores - 24 and 25 September 2012.

This official 28 mile trail starts at Loch tarff, near Fort Augustus and ends in Torbeck on the edge of Inverness, passing by Clune Farm at Dores where the annual 'Rockness' festival is held. Due to adverse weather and lack of time, we only made it as far as Dores Beach.

If you have walked the Great Glen Way and enjoyed the views over Loch Ness, then this is an alternative route you may enjoy along the opposite side of the Loch. The start at Loch Tarff can be accessed via Fort Augustus , which is on the Great Glen Way route. It is possible to walk all the way to Inverness if feeling ambitious.

It was a good walk, very open at the start with some fine views across moorland, followed by stretches on country roads, through farmland and Woodland (although there has been a heck of a lot of deforestation) before eventually descending to Loch Ness. There is a lot of Road Walking but as it follows the loch there are plenty of opportunities to go down to the loch and walk along the pebbles.

Weather wasn't great on this occasion, gale force winds came into force across Scotland overnight, so camping by the loch was a bit scary, was afraid I was going to wake up in it. A tree got blown down onto the road, lucky we were not under it.

If wild camping there are plenty of areas you could consider and could be completed over 2-3 days.

The sign describing the route

A quick Bacon Roll and Coffee before we head, as Handy Andy drops us off at the start.

My pal at the start of the trail at Loch tarff

Looking back as we leave Loch Tarff behind

Looking back on Loch Tarff

country road... take me home...

one of the many paths through farmland

The Coo's were please to see us

crossing the stream

Falls of Foyers

Falls of Foyers

decending towards Loch Ness

trepsing through Erchite

Erchite Woods - slowly getting darker and wetter

Picnic area by the roadside, great wee camp spot if you don't mind the occasional passing traffic

Wild Camp between the roadside and Loch Ness

Weather now atrocious but it was not going to stop us having our Barbecue under the tarp, starving...


Andy and Jason, BBQ under the tarp.

The bonny banks of Loch Ness

looking back on the shores of Loch Ness

Shores of Loch Ness

High winds causing waves of the shore


Dores Beach with Dores Inn, in the background

Souvenir Shop at Dores CLOSED... Planned to have some Deep fried Nessy at Dores Inn, but that was also CLOSED

Dores Beach - something eerie about this one

[pebbles-2]

Hi Andrew, nice to see this report on WH. I've walked all sections of this so many times I've lost count - even before it became an 'official' walk (not done it all at one go though!!). Has a lovely variety of scenery and terrain and some good camping spots. South Loch Ness may not have big moontins, but it does have tranquillity and beauty unique to the area, and is full of history. Thanks for posting.

[andrewl7642]

Glad you like it Pebbles, it was a nice walk, something a little different.
I found the walk online when I was looking to wild camp on the South side of the Loch Ness.

The weather turned out awful that night, torrential rain and gale force winds! I couldn't sleep for worrying the tent would end up in the Loch!

I've added a few more pics to the report. I'm surprised the walk isn't listed on this site.

[pebbles-2]

Hi again Andrew, I think the full walk only became official last year (or maybe 2011). If memory serves right they had an opening ceremony at the Fair Haired Lads Pass (really dodgy name that one - would love to know the origins). I've been thinking of adding a few TR's of this area to the WH site - but then that means they may become busy ... I quite like having them to myself

I like your extra pics - you were unlucky with the weather. I have some photos of this area on my walk blog, taken at different times of the year. They might be of interest to you if you intend coming back this way again - it is beautiful in full leaf ... and sunshine!!

[andrewl7642]

Some great pics Pebbles, I think I will return one day when the weather is good and complete the whole route over 3 days backpacking and wild camping. It just has to be done. I quite fancy timing it so I end up by Clune Farm in time for 'Rock Ness' festival, a wee reward for my efforts before heading home.

[maldav2]

Loved the blog. Can you recommend a wild camping spot close to Dores?

[gld73]

I did the full route last year once the section from Fort Augustus to Loch Tarff was finally in place:
https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=91882

Some great pics Pebbles, I think I will return one day when the weather is good and complete the whole route over 3 days backpacking and wild camping. It just has to be done. I quite fancy timing it so I end up by Clune Farm in time for 'Rock Ness' festival, a wee reward for my efforts before heading home.

Unfortunately the Rock Ness festival finished in 2013. There is another festival at the same place now, Groove Loch Ness, but it's all dance music and DJs rather than bands....