Kingussie to Laggan

Summary

This varied stretch of the route heads out of Kingussie to the north, soon joining an excellent new path by Loch Gynack. The route bypasses Newtonmore to the north side before heading up into the wilds of Glen Banchor where there is an open bothy. This stretch includes some river crossings before the route eventually reaches the small village of Laggan which has a cafe (sells some supplies), toilet, village hall (basic accommodation sometimes) and nearby hotel.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Paths, minor road, then wild and pathless in places in Glen Banchor with two river crossings.

Getting there

Start

Kingussie.

Public Transport

Bus or train to Newtonmore. Laggan only has bus timed for school dates/times.

Start Grid Ref

NH756006

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Services

Kingussie is a small Highland town with all facilities. Laggan is a small village with both hotel and B&B accommodation and a shop.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 23.25km / 14.5 miles
Time: 6.5 - 7 hours
Ascent: 329m (Profile)

Mapping and GPS

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OL56 Badenoch

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Walk Description

User reports (2)

Stage 1

Head up Gynack Road - alongside the Duke of Gordon hotel. Near the end of the road it forks, the right branch being the golf club car park and the left branch climbing into the caravan site. Take the left branch up amongst the caravans, and then at the green footpath signpost turn left - signed for Newtonmore and the Golf Course circular. The route leaves the campsite via a gate and curves right into the woods. Keep left at a first signposted junction, and then right at a second junction - following the signs for the Golf Course circular at both. The path - rough and muddy in places - winds through native woodlands.

Stage 2

Eventually an area of silver birches is reached and the path meets another coming down from the left, with a good view of Loch Gynack ahead. Go straight ahead here onto a newly built path which heads on towards the loch before swinging left. The path leads on through the fine birchwoods. The woods are left behind as the route crosses moorland, with views ahead towards the Monadhliath. Keep an eye out for the green marker posts; the route joins a track; markers indicate where it bends right to head for a gap in a drystone wall with a gate immediately beyond in a fence. Follow the track until a fork (marker post) bear right here to follow the route as it leads over to reach the conifer plantations on the right and then continues alongside them.

Stage 3

Continue along the near edge of the plantation, crossing over a track and then a footbridge. At the far corner the route goes through a gate in a deer fence and then turns left. This section is indistinct as the path splits into several options, but generally it follows the left bank of the burn, eventually joining a clear track. The track soon fords the burn with a footbridge available on the left. Beyond this it reaches a second, broader burn; this time there is a footbridge on the right. Cross this and head uphill to a track. Go straight across this through a gate, marked for the Wildcat Trail.

Stage 4

The next section sounds complex but is fairly simple to follow; the path crosses over tracks, through several gates but keeps following the wildcat signs and generally keeps just inside the birchwoods, with open moorland to the right. Eventually a muddy track bends left and leads out onto a minor road. Turn right along this, following it to the parking area at the very end. Continue along the track into the wild upper reaches of Glen Banchor, almost immediately crossing the bridge over the Allt a' Chaorainn. The track leads past a plantation and passes close to the site of a deserted township.

Stage 5

Cross the bridge over the Allt Fionndrigh to Glenballoch, then head left through a gate on a clear path. After crossing a small stream the path leads to a wooden gate in a deer fence. Continue west up the glen, eventually passing through a gateway in another fence and crossing a boggy area of low ground near the river.

Stage 6

Cross the outflow of the Allt Balloch which although divided into a few sections can be tricky to cross after wet weather and is impassable when in spate. Away to the north the ruined farmstead of Dalballoch can be seen as you continue upstream. It is usually best to keep on the slightly higher ground above the water but the going can be very boggy in places, however there are great mountain views to compensate. Cross another feeder burn and follow the faint path westwards.

Stage 7

Eventually a bothy is seen on the other side of the Allt Madagain - ford the burn here. Note the bridge shown on some OS maps does not exist and was never in the position shown. Now follow a track southwards through Strath an Eilich. Leave the track around NN644959 and head southwest across the moorland, passing through a rusty gate and aiming for the rowan tree which marks the ruined croft at Lagbuidhe.

Stage 8

From here head SW, crossing the stream and picking up a faint track that aims south towards a conifer plantation. Where the track fords the stream, there is an alternative, slightly ruinous footbridge near the trees. Go through the kissing gate (ignoring the farm gate to the right) into the forestry. Here a faint path runs diagonally away from the fence, follow this until almost above the small cottage on the right.

Stage 9

Head down the slope on a vague path to follow the garden wall of the cottage to the right to pick up a clearer path at a telegraph pole, leading to the right from the cottage gate. Keep the fence on your right as the path descends and bends to reach the road next to a cottage at Balgowan. Turn right to head gently uphill on the minor road. This eventually meets the main A86; turn right here to follow this carefully to the village of Laggan.

Next stage:Corrieyairack Pass: Laggan to Fort Augustus

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