John o' Groats Trail: Culbokie to Alness

Summary

The second stage of the John o' Groats trail follows a minor road from Culbokie before joining the A9 causeway across the Cromarty Firth - busy with traffic, but giving great views. It then leaves the busy road verge and soon joins a minor road to the village of Evanton. From Evanton to Alness it follows the Sustrans cycle route that runs by the B817 to reach Alness.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Mostly minor roads and surfaced cycle path; a short section follows a pavement and then the verge of the busy A9. Short section on a woodland track.

Getting there

Start

Culbokie.

Public Transport

Culbokie has an infrequent bus service to Inverness. Alness has good bus links and a railway station.

Start Grid Ref

NH602591

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 14.8km / 9.25 miles
Time: 3.5 - 4.5 hours
Ascent: 120m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (3)

Stage 1

Heading east along the B9169 through Culbokie, turn left onto a minor road just past the Culbokie Inn. The road descends gently with great views across the Cromarty Firth to Ben Wyvis, with the A9 causeway and bridge you are shortly to cross in clear view. Follow the road until it meets the B9163 near the Firth, then turn left to reach the very busy A9.

Stage 2

Cross this with great care and then proceed to the right along the verge on the far side. Once on the bridge there is a pavement. The bridge opened in 1979 and became part of the main A9 in 1982; although extremely busy with traffic alongside, the pavement along the bridge offers some superb views across the Firth towards Dingwall and the mountains of Strathfarrar and Strathconon. When you reach the roundabout at the far side, keep to the left of the roundabout, crossing the A862 exit with great care and heading round to continue along the grassy verge on the north side of the A9 towards Wick / Thurso.

Stage 3

After a short distance a locked gate on the left gives access to a track which slopes up into the woods, leaving the traffic behind (we have been advised that any forestry signs barring access are old and not in force). At the top of the woods the track leads over a private level crossing with locked gates (pedestrian access allowed with care) and eventually up to a bungalow. Turn right onto a wider track here, soon reaching Ardullie Farm. At the farm bear left to head up to the minor road, and turn right along it.

Stage 4

Follow the road through pleasant countryside, ignoring turns to both left and right. After 3km it reaches the edge of Evanton; a short distance further on turn left at the war memorial to follow the pavement into the centre of the village. The road leads past the shop and the Novar Arms.

Stage 5

Continue along the road until a sign indicates the start of a cycle path running parallel on the opposite side. Follow this, passing alongside a layby; when it reaches a private garden, signs indicate to switch briefly to the other side of the road before returning to the south side. The cycleway is separated from the road by trees, giving pleasant walking; the Fyrish monument is prominent up to the left. When a branching road cuts across the cyclepath, go straight across.

Stage 6

Further on the cyclepath again switches to the opposite side of the road - it does this three times. Eventually the junction with the busy B9176 is reached - turn left along the pavement, and then just after the road turning for Alness on the opposite side of the road, cross with care to follow the pavement of that road towards Alness.

Stage 7

The pavement / cyclepath continues until the edge of Alness. Fork left to follow a lane past the Alness burial ground with its ruined church. Cross the bridge and follow the lane, going straight across at a larger road. Eventually the lane rejoins the main road and the pavement leads into the centre of Alness. This stage of the walk ends at the bridge over the River Averon - the High Street with all services is a short distance further on.

Next stage: Alness to Tain

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