walkhighlands

The Affric Kintail Way

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 CHALLENGE

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.

BAGGAGE TRANSFERS AND WALKING PACKAGES

Click to find organised Affric Kintail Way walking holiday packages and baggage transfer providers.

ACCOMMODATION AND SERVICES ALONG THE TRAIL

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.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

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.

Users' walk reports for the Affric Kintail Way

There are 469 Walkhighlanders who have completed the Affric Kintail Way. To record if you have completed the route, you must register and be logged in. Our users have contributed 23 public walk reports for the route. These are ordered below with the most popular ones first.

Title AuthorDate walked Likes
An Autumn Affric Kintail Way  RebeccaHd 29/10/2022  37
Frost, sunburn and a free map on the Affric Kintail Way  CrampyChris 16/04/2015  29
Adventures on the Affric Kintail Way!  LailaQuiche 19/09/2019  22
Scotland's bonniest glen? 3 days on the Affric Kintail Way  nitamiriam 04/07/2019  17
The Affric Kintail Way from Inverness  andrewl7642 27/08/2015  16
Post lockdown: Affric Kintail Way  Drexciya 25/04/2021  14
West Highland, Great Glen and Affric Kintail Combo 3/3  pbeauvillard 15/05/2018  14
Affric Kintail way - autumn glory  petert847 26/10/2015  10
The Affric Kintail Way with (almost) Sgurr an Airgid  WalkingDutchman 10/08/2015  10
Go West, Old Man!  davidbrownie 31/07/2015  10
Bikepacking with doggo  Irish Highlander 08/08/2020  9
Affric Kintail: my first hiking experience  ThijsWa 08/06/2017  8
Affric Kintail Way  Walkscot 11/03/2017  7
Affric Kintail Way..The most beautiful experience (in French  magally 20/05/2016  7
Fellowship of the Glen  LordoftheGlen 10/06/2018  6
The Affric Kintail Way, a long time coming!  kiltedmidgie 04/05/2021  6
Affric Kintail Way - The Underrated Trail - May 2021  caromiri 15/05/2021  6
Sunshine and showers on the AK Way  ricoshay74 20/05/2024  5
Affric Kintail Way from west to east  westgate 11/05/2023  5
Affric Kintail Way  dolphin 23/05/2017  5
Affric Kintail Way: West to East  LucieK 05/07/2019  4
4 Seasons on the Affric Kintail Trail  Kate Crawford 28/08/2024  3
Affric Kintail Way  Malkie 07/08/2017  3

Share your report for the chance to win gear every month


Share on 

Share this  

Walking can be dangerous and all walkers must take personal responsibility for their own safety. You should always carry a backup means of navigation and not rely on a single phone, app or map. Walkhighlands strives to provide accurate information but cannot accept responsibility for changes, errors or omissions.