This straightforward walk follows a track through the attractive woodland beside the lower reaches of Loch Arkaig. The objective is the open bothy of Invermallie; the return is made the same way.
Easy track throughout; the track is boggy on the final approach to the bothy.
No public transport to walk start.
Eas Chia-aig forest car park.
Park at the forestry car park by Eas Chia-Aig falls. The walk begins by heading west along the road. Almost immediately the road crosses a bridge with a great view of the double waterfalls, and a beautiful picnic area alongside. This is the location where Liam Neeson leapt across the river in the Hollywood film Rob Roy.
Continue along the road for just under 500 metres, then turn left onto a track just after the cattle grid, signed 'Locheil Estate - Private Road' (walkers are allowed). The tarmac track leads round the east end of Loch Arkaig, amongst the beautiful alder and willow woodland that can tolerate the often flooded ground; there are great views up the loch. Cross the wooden bridge to reach a t-junction; turn right here.
From here few directions are needed as the track continues for several kilometres through the beautiful woodland - managed by the Woodland Trust. The track climbs a little at first and is cut into the hillside before descending back to the level of the loch with good views. Loch Arkaig is a vast sheet of water and is a world away from the busy tourist routes around Loch Lochy or Loch Ness. After several kilometres an attractive wooden house is reached, used by fishing parties. Beyond it the track begins to emerge from the woodland.
Soon the track forks - bear right onto a much rougher track. This is the line of the original track as shown on Ordnance Survey maps; the new main track (the left branch) heads up into Glen Mallie. Continue on the old track which is wetter underfoot and passes through a copse of trees. After a few boggy sections the track finally reaches Invermallie. This is an open bothy, maintained by volunteers from the Mountain Bothy Association; please help by carrying out any rubbish you find here, and always follow the bothy code when visiting. There was formerly a bridge over the river just beyond the bothy, but this collapsed and has been removed, hence the new track left earlier.
The return is by the same route.
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