This lovely woodland walk offers great views from the shores of Loch Ness, a chance to look for red squirrels and roe deer in the woods, and views of Aldourie Castle.
Moslty good woodland paths and forest tracks.
Bus service to Dores.
Dores church car park.
Park at the church car park in Dores. Begin the walk by heading along the pavement towards the village, before turning right to pass through the Dores Inn car park. From the far end of the car park take the woodland path behind the Nessie-spotter's caravan. It soon leads through a children's playground.
From here the path continues well behind the stony beach - a closer approach gives excellent views up Loch Ness; the prominent hill across the water is Meall Fuar Mhonaidh.
The path soon passes through a gate into the woodland and at a fork stay on the main left hand path. The path leads deeper in the beautiful woodland at first, before coming closer to the loch once more. Ignore a wide path off right. After around 2km the path heads through another gate. Just beyond here a short detour to the left allows a visit to the Aldourie jetty for the best views over the water.
Return to the main path. After 100m it swings right uphill at a fork - leave it here and instead take the left fork onto a narrower path, soon passing through a gate nad continuing beneath the house. Ignore a track off right. After 400m there's another gate and a view towards Aldourie Castle. Originally a 16th century stone tower, the castle was extended to its present size in Victorian times. Now privately owned and run as an events venue, it is often surrounded by marquees! There is no access to the castle grounds, so do not pass through the gate but instead turn right on a path that continues through the trees.
Go left at a fork, then ignore an ATV track off right. When a main forest track is reached go straight across, soon reaching another forest track - this time turn right along it. The track weaves through the woods, with open fields never far away to the left. Eventually a t-junction is reached with denser forest ahead; go left here. The route soon becomes a wide path through beechwoods and there are views between the trees over the countryside towards the Deer Pond. As the trees turn to pines turn left down a rougher, steep section of path to rejoin the outward route near where it first entered the woods. Turn left here to head through the gate and retrace your steps to the start.
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