Loch Achaidh na h-Inich from Balmacara

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This longer circuit from Balmacara leads through some very attractive woodland, visiting and passing around a remote loch. The return walk passes through a felled former area of forestry and there are some good views. There is the opportunity to link this walk with several other of our routes.

Terrain

Well-marked path gives mostly good going, some slightly wetter sections.

Public Transport

Bus to Balmacara Square (1 km from the A87).

Start

Balmacara Square. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 11.5km / 7.25 miles
Time: 3 - 4 hours
Ascent: 380m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NG806284

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Walk Description

Stage 1

Park in the car park at the south end of Balmacara Square. This is a picturesque spot with several old cottages around a village pond. Part of the old stable block is a cafe. Begin the walk by heading north along the road towards Plockton. After about 300m some tracks head off to the right; take the middle one, signed as a footpath to Achnahinich. Follow the track for several hundred metres, ignoring other a smaller track off left. The track fords a stream with a footbridge alongside; after this it bends right. Leave the track here, turning left through a pedestrian gate (again, signed Achnahinich). (If the main track is followed, and a right turn taken at the next junction, the Balmacara woodland walk will be joined).

Stage 2

Follow the footpath as it heads through the trees, soon crossing a small footbridge. During a more open section the path climbs for a while with views of the prominent rocky knoll of Sgurr Beag, before plunging back into the birchwoods. There are good views back towards Loch Duich as the path winds to and for uphill between the lichen-encrusted trunks. The path is narrow and sometimes muddy but is clear to follow; at one point there is a National Trust marker post. Further on the path climbs out of the trees at last.

Stage 3

More open moorland is reached, and there are excellent views ahead, both of nearby Loch Achaidh na h-Inich and the distant Applecross and Torridon mountains. Over to the right is the transmitter mast on Plockton Crags - a possible extension to this route. The path now heads downhill towards the loch, soon re-entering birchwoods.

Stage 4

Eventually the path reaches the loch shore and turns left along it. The tiny, cairn-crowned island that can be seen in the loch is the remains of the crannog. The path skirts the western side of the loch, passing through a gate. Eventually a sluice gate is crossed the the tarmac road at the northern shore is reached. At this point you have reached part of the Plockton Crags route. You can make that circuit from here before returning to Balmacara if you wish to extend the walk. To continue our circuit, turn right to follow the road along the side of the loch. At the far end the track forks - the gated right fork heads to Achnahinich Farm, so take the left fork uphill.

Stage 5

At a staggered crossroads turn right (the track almost straight on leads to Plockton Crags). The track bends round to the right and crosses the stream on a bridge and then heads through a felled area, curving around high above the farm and giving excellent views over the loch. Keep following the forestry track which eventually passes the tumbling Allt a' Ghlarsair and then continues to climb uphill.

Stage 6

Further on there are good views looking across to the Cuillin of Skye if the weather is clear. Eventually, shortly after passing a picnic bench, there's a wooden signpost where a smaller grassier track slopes off to the right (signed 'Waterfall Route').

Stage 7

Follow this as it bears right and heads downhill through the plantation. Go through a gate into more open land with good views over to Loch Alsh. Continue on the main track ignoring the path to the left which is part of the Balmacara woodland walk. Soon the houses at Balmacara Square can be seen. The track soon rejoins the outward route; keep on the track as it curves left and cross the burn on a footbridge, retracing your steps back to the road. Turn left to follow the road downhill to Balmacara Square.

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