Officially opened in 2015, the Affric Kintail Way runs from Drumnadrochit on the shores of Loch Ness to Morvich in Kintail, near the West Highlands seaboard. The start point enables it to be linked to the Great Glen Way and through that to much of Scotland's long distance footpath network. The end point at Morvich enables a link with the much more challenging and serious Cape Wrath Trail.
The route initially runs through forestry high above Glen Urquhart before reaching the village of Cannich in Strathglass. This is the gateway to what many regard as Scotland's most beautiful glen - Glen Affric. The route continues right up Glen Affric, through magnificent pinewoods and past stunning lochs, and then on up through the very wild and remote upper reaches of the glen, with the chance to stay overnight in Scotland's remotest youth hostel. Finally the route climbs over the main watershed before descending through the dramatic mountainous landscapes of Kintail.
Stage descriptions | Length | Time | Done |
---|---|---|---|
Drumnadrochit to Cannich | 25.75km | 6½-7 hours | |
Cannich to Glen Affric | 19.5km | 5½-6 hours | |
Glen Affric to Alltbeithe | 14km | 3½-5 hours | |
Alltbeithe to Morvich | 16.25km | 4½-5 hours |
The route follows tracks and footpaths throughout, but after leaving Cannich it becomes increasingly remote; the upper reaches of Glen Affric being amongst the most isolated in the Highlands. Some experience of remote walking, navigational skills and full hillwalking gear are needed.
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.Drumnadrochit on Loch Ness has shops and a wide choice of accommodation, including B&Bs, guesthouses, hotels and hostels. Along the first stage there is a bed and breakfast at Shenval.
Cannich again has a shop, bed and breakfast and a campsite.
After Cannich there are few facilities en route. There's the very remote SYHA hostel at Alltbeithe - this is open during the summer only, should be pre-booked and does not provide food. Beyond this is the open MBA bothy (four walls and a roof but no other facility) at Camban.
Morvich and nearby Allt a'Chruinn in Kintail have bed and breakfast; there is also the nearby hotel at Shiel Bridge, which additionally has hostel accommodation.
Drumnadrochit has a good bus link, being on the route between Inverness and Fort William (both of which have rail stations). Cannich is also served by bus from Inverness.
The end of the road up Glen Affric (at end of stage 2) has a summer service from Ross minibuses.
Morvich at the end of the route is near to the main Citylink bus route between Inverness and Skye, and Glasgow and Skye.
Timetables for all the routes can be found on Traveline Scotland.
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