River Oich Trail, Fort Augustus

Summary

This is a straightforward walk on forest tracks and a lovely path alongside the wide River Oich. Good views and chance of seeing red squirrels. The forest was devastated by storms, with large areas being subsequently felled, but it is now recovering.

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Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Easy going, almost flat track and riverside path with some roots underfoot.

Getting there

Start

Forestry Land Scotland River Oich car park towards Auchteraw, 2km W of Fort Augustus.

Public Transport

No public transport to the start, 2km walk from Fort Augustus following the signs for Auchterawe and then River Walk.

Start Grid Ref

NH367090

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 5.9km / 3.75 miles
Time: 1.5 - 2 hours
Ascent: 30m (Profile)

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Explorer 400 - Loch Lochy

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Walk Description

User reports (4)

Stage 1

Just past the main car park in Fort Augustus going towards Inverness on the A82, turn up a steep hill called Bunoich Brae and signed for Auchteraw. After a car park turn left and then left again following signs for Auchteraw. Follow a sign to the left for the River Oich car park and picnic area just beyond a forestry building. Take the path from the car park signed River Oich Trail and waymarked in blue. Almost immediately there is a fork - keep ahead towards the river and the path soon bends left past some pines and down to the riverbank.

Stage 2

Follow the River Oich, crossing a footbridge and keeping left on the far side to return to the riverbank.

Stage 3

Keep following the riverbank, ignoring a grassy path to the right and passing a couple of benches. The river is a popular salmon fishery and you may see fly fishers on the banks or in the river during the casting season.

Stage 4

Continue close to the water, passing a bench and bend in the river and an island and soon the path veers right away from the river through some sparse silver birches to reach a track. Go straight across at the cross road signed for River Oich Circular.

Stage 5

Follow the wide track with open views to the surrounding countryside. Ignore a couple of tracks to the right to stay on the main track still following occasional blue marker posts. After crossing a stream turn right onto a path.

Stage 6

This leads, high above the burn, to another track, turn left here. As the track nears forestry ahead turn right onto a waymarked path soon heading over a bridge. Follow the path back to the car park.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Fort Augustus cottages

Foyers, Dores cottages

Loch Ness hostels

Glamping and Camping

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