These short trails have plenty of tables and benches as they passes through beautiful alder woodland and then up to a viewpoint below the mountain of Creag Meagaidh. A poem by Sorley Maclean is carved into stones along the route.
Good waymarked path with some steps.
None to start.
Aberarder, car park off A86 between Laggan and Spean Bridge.
There is a good-sized car park at Aberarder on the north side of the A86, opposite Loch Laggan. At the far end of the car park is an information board - take the path which heads left from here, waymarked in purple as the Alderwood trail; it almost runs back parallel to the car park at first. The Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve is managed by NatureScot, and covers a vast area straddling the east-west watershed and includes a range of rare habitats because of the big changes in altitude.
As the path approaches the trees on the far side of the meadow it swings right to pass through the trees to reach a picnic table near the river. The path continues by a rich flower meadow, passing a sculpted bench before passing into the woods. These are home to many birds, including siskin, chaffinch, and warblers.
Follow the path as it crosses a bridge and meanders through the trees, passing more seats. The area became a Reserve in 1986 following public concern at plans to plant conifer forestry in the glen. Since then work has been undertaken to encourage the natural regeneration of the broadleaved forest that once thrived here. The grazing sheep have been removed and deer numbers have been reduced through culling. At a junction turn left, soon crossing a long wooden boardwalk.
Keep left again when the path meets a wider track. Further on, ignore a footbridge off left and keep ahead, ascending gently. The route passes a sheepfank and eventually reaches a viewpoint. Evidence of the woodland regeneration can be seen in the mixture of alder, rowan, birch, hazel and willows. In past times this would have been a dense forest habitat that would have supported wildcat, wolves and bears. The path ahead from here leads eventually to Coire Àrdair but this is a much more substantial walk; instead turn right and descend the pitched stone path.
The path path descends beside a stone dyke to reach the buildings at Aberarder. Here there is a covered picnic area with information about the Reserve and recent wildlife spottings, and a toilet. Follow the path from here back to the car park - first on one side of the tarmac road, then the other.
Please consider setting up a direct debit donation to help support the continued maintenance and updates to Walkhighlands.
