This pleasant and straightforward forestry walk visits a hilltop mast with some views over the Beauly area.
Bog Factor
Not waymarked, forest tracks and short section of minor road, some ascent.
Parking at entrance to Belladrum Forest.
Nearest bus route is along the A833 Beauly - Drumnadrochit Road, 1 kilometre from start of walk.
NH523421
Take the Belladrum minor road (beside the lodge house) off the A833 about four kilometres from Beauly. The road twists and turns before reaching a few houses on the right hand side. The start of the walk is opposite here on the left, where a track enters the forest with a 'Belladrum Forest' sign. If driving, park tight up to the side of the track entrance, taking care to ensure that the entrance is not blocked. The walk begins up the track. Continue up the track, and after an initial straight section keep right heading uphill ignoring the track to the left.
As height is gained there are some good views through the trees on your right, looking out over Strathglass. Look out also for red squirrels, which are plentiful in this woodland. Keep on the main track as it climbs and curves left and after about a kilometre and a half turn left at a track junction. The track now becoming more passing some rocky outcrops on the right. A very short distance further on turn left again at a junction with a bench onto another track heading downhill.
At the next junction, keep straight downhill, ingorning the track to the right. Soon take the next track on the right which climbs up to the mobile phone mast on the summit of Phoineas Hill, just over 180 metres high. Walk round the mast to reach the pleasanter rocky top just beyond; although trees have now obscured most of the views, there are some glimpses between the trees, with sections of the River Beauly visible. There is an iron age fort on the second, lower summit of the hill half a kilometre to the northeast, but unfortunately there is no easy route to it through the trees.
Return back down the track to the last junction, this time turning right. The track winds downhill through the forestry.Stay on the main track ignoring overgrown tracks to the left then right. The track bends left at the bottom of the forest and leads to 'Tigh Romach', a beautifully built estate cottage. Go through the gate and at the cottage turn left and follow the track back to the minor road. Turn left to follow road uphill back to the start.
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