This stunningly beautiful walk leads through ancient Caledonian Pine Forest. Foaming cascades in a dramatic rocky gorge, stunning natural woodland of pine and birch, a beautiful lochan, and superb views up the glen to the mountains; everything you could wish for on a forest walk is here.
Clear, waymarked forest footpaths and tracks; rocky in places.
None to start.
Dog Falls car park (charge), Glen Affric.
Park at Dog Falls car park (charge), about four miles up Glen Affric from Cannich village. There is a picnic area and public toilets at the car park. The walk described here combines all three of the waymarked trails here to make a superb circuit. Start by following waymarked red and yellow trail which heads downstream along the near side of the foaming River Affric. The river is a magnificent sight, with a broad, shallow and rocky bed enclosed by fine pinewoods. After a short distance downstream the path heads left away from the river and crosses the public road; from here, it runs a short distance above the opposite side of the road.
Soon the path descends back to the road. It continues to the left parallel to the road, but first you can detour across the road to reach a natural viewing balcony. Dog Falls themselves are not particularly high, but the fast flow, fine setting and rocky gorge make this a delightful spot. Return to the path along the opposite side of the road.
A short distance further on the path crosses the road again, and passes another viewing area before descending to cross a lengthy wooden footbridge. The footbridge gives great views of the gorge upriver. After the bridge, you soon reach a path junction where the red trail heads off right; keep left here, now following the yellow trail which winds through the pinewoods.
There are many dead trees here, an essential feature of a natural forest ecosystem which is lacking in most of Britain's woodland. This ancient Caledonian pine forest is in fact one of the few truly natural or wilderness landscapes in the UK, a feature shared only with the highest mountain summits. If you are quiet there is a good chance of spotting roe deer; pine martens are also said to be common. Bird life includes the rare crossbill, and the hugely impressive but seldom seen capercaillie. The path winds about uphill, eventually cresting a ridge. Soon there is a great view of Coire Loch down below to the right; keep on the waymarked trail to reach it as there are steep rocks around here.
The path soon passes close to the shore of the loch, which is a breeding place of rare dragonflies. Beyond, the path climbs a little once more and emerges on a wider grass grown track, which heads up to the right. This track soon joins a larger forestry track; turn right, still following the yellow waymarkers.
There are grand views looking back down the glen towards Cannich, and of the tree-clad slopes ahead. Continue on the track; several information posts give details on the wildlife whose home this is. Ignore the signed route off to the right (by a bench carved from a tree trunk), which heads back down to the bridge below Dog Falls; instead continue along the track.
At the next junction, the red route turns right to return to the car park. Before heading this way, however, it is worth continuing up the track ahead (white waymarks) for half a kilometre or so until a marker post indicates steps up to viewpoint on the right. This gives a fine view looking up Glen Affric, with lochs and forest backed by the high mountains at the head of the glen.
Return back down to the last junction, continuing straight down the track to reach a bridge over the river and the car park beyond.
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