Achaderry and River Spean circuit, Roybridge

Summary

This circular walk explores the environs of the village of Roybridge. It passes through a great deal of fine native woodland and visits an attractive lochan before reaching the River Spean.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Woodland paths and tracks. A section of core path used on return walk is rough and very boggy in places.

Getting there

Start

Car park in Roybridge, across from the cafe and village hall.

Public Transport

Roybridge is served by bus and also has a train station.

Start Grid Ref

NN270813

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 6km / 3.75 miles
Time: 1.5 - 2 hours
Ascent: 86m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (2)

Stage 1

There is a small car park just across from the cafe and community hall in the centre of Roybridge, by the recycling bins. Begin the walk by heading left along the pavement of the busy A86, in the direction of Laggan. The road crosses a bridge over the River Roy; after this, take a left turning, signed for Bohenie. This quiet minor road runs through fine woodland and gives some tantalising glimpses of the peat-brown river below. Continue along the road until a sign for Achaderry; here turn sharp right up a track.

Stage 2

After 150m turn left into a parking / storage area; bear right from this to pass a wooden seat and an information board giving details of the local flora and fauna; turn left at the t-junction here. The good path/ grassy track passes some wooden sculptures. Soon there are glimpses of a lochan through the trees to the right.

Stage 3

A track off right leads to a beautifully situated picnic table close by the water. Return to the track and continue along it, ignoring a footbridge off to the right. Soon there is a signed path going off, also to the right, marked 'Way Out' - this leads straight back to the Achaderry track to makes for a much shorter walk. To continue our circuit, continue on the track ahead, keeping straight ahead at several junctions. Ignore any minor routes heading off left to keep on the track; at a junction where a track comes in from the right, just keep on the track straight ahead. At one point there is a locked gate but you can pass round it to the left. Just beyond this the track slopes down to the main road.

Stage 4

The road is the A86 and can be busy with very fast moving traffic. Cross it carefully and turn right to walk along the verge on the far side. Ignore a drive off to the left, keeping on the verge, but look out for a slightly overgrown path which heads off sharp left a little further on, before the A86 bends to the right. The path runs beside some deciduous trees and then cuts left into the woods to reach the railway; don't go through the gate here but instead cross the old iron bridge high over the track. On the far side, the way bears right and the path becomes rougher.

Stage 5

The path is narrow and wet in places, especially just before it reaches the top of a steep bank. Turn right to follow the path as it runs along the top of this steep drop which slopes down to the River Spean, which here flows through a wooded ravine. Pass through a gate and continue along the top of the bank (ignore boggy tracks to the right). Ignore a second gate, keeping left by the fence. Ignore a stile and cross a small tributary. At the area with horses keep to the left, back on the bank top once more. Eventually there's another gate across the route. Go through this and then turn left down to the River Spean, then right to follow the riverside path.

Stage 6

The path is a little rough but the lovely woodland here is full of bluebells in the spring. Ignore a path forking off right, continuing by the river until the path passes between two wooden posts to reach a camping field. Keep left along the edge of this, passing a picnic table, to reenter the woods. Part of the riverside path has been damaged by a tributary, but once across this the path is clear again by the Spean, then keeping left of a fence. When a bridge is seen overhead the path climbs up to the right to reach a stile. Cross this and turn left along the road, passing under the railway. Keep ahead until the main road is reached, then turn left along the pavement to return to the start.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Spean Bridge Hotels

Spean Bridge B&B

Spean Bridge cottages

Spean Bridge hostels

Glamping and Camping

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