This circular walk climbs through forestry plantations along the route of part of one of General Caulfeild's great military roads. There are many glimpses of views over Fort Augustus and up the Great Glen. The walk can be linked by part of the Great Glen Way to the walk at Allt na Criche.
Clear footpaths and forestry tracks.
Bus to Fort Augustus.
Car park near Jenkins park, 1km north west from Fort Augustus.
From the Tourist Information Centre in Fort Augustus take the A82 towards Inverness and then take the first turning on the left signed for Auchteraw up a steep hill. There is a car park at the junction just beyond. Park here, and begin by turning left to walk along the road (signed Auchteraw) past the play and skateboard park. Follow the road straight to where ti forks by a telephone box; the main road branches left here, but our route goes straight on - with a footpath sign for Glenmoriston by the Old Military Road. Go up the road, keeping straight ahead through a gate to follow a track into the forest. Soon a junction is reached with a wooden signpost - turn right onto the Old Military Road.
These days the road is just a path, but was once part of a great military road - the northerly continuation of the road over the Corrieyairack Pass, and which led eventually to Bernera barracks on the west coast. The path climbs up through silver birch and pine woodland via a number of wide zig zags. As the path levels off there are glimpses of views down over Fort Augustus and the Caledonian Canal and the hills south of Loch Ness. Keep following the path which crosses a small wooden bridge.
When you reach a track at a bend, turn left onto the track to continue the walk through pine plantation with good views in places as the track traverses the side of the hill. As well as the Great Glen below, the view stretches to the Loch Lochy Munros ahead. You will pass under the large power lines coming from two hydro schemes further away. Keep on the main track ignoring a turning to the right heading uphill. The track begins to descend and passes some cleared areas of bracken and gorse with good views back to Loch Ness.
Keep on the main track when it swings left, eventually passing back under the powerlines. At a wide bend where the main track swings back to the right, take the less clear track leads off to the left.
This is then followed all the way back to the original turn off signed for Glenmoriston, passing a couple of small waterfalls along the way. When you get back to the original turn off you can either go straight down to the gate and back to the start point via the outward route, or you can take the next path off to the right (blue marker post) which winds about before descending zig-zags down to the Auchteraw road. If you take this route you need to turn left when you emerge on the road and walk along the road through lovely beech woods to the telephone box at Jenkins park and the car park beyond.
Please consider setting up a direct debit donation to help support the continued maintenance and updates to walkhighlands.
