A short leg stretcher in forestry with good views on the ascent and a chance to see red squirrels and roe deer. The noise of the A9 is ever present for the first half of the route.
Short easy walk on paths and tracks, steep uphill section initially.
None to start.
Daviot car park.
To reach the start, turn off the A9 at Daviot and follow the signs for Daviot West, turn right to pass the school and the car park is on the right before the quarry entrance - there are recycling bins. The route starts by heading up the path from the north end of the car park, climbing steeply uphill and passing to the left of a mast. There are good views back of Daviot Church and across the River Nairn.
Keep straight on where an unmarked path leaves to the left. The path soon heads into the forest with yellow broom blossoming in the spring and summer. After 900m from the start it reaches a path junction at a corner. Turn left here, following a straight section which soon reaches a four way junction. Go straight ahead here - now following a red marker. The red markers indicate a slightly longer circuit that starts from a cafe further north on the A9 - but it lacks the views of this route.
The path heads through more forest. Keep straight on until it reaches a crossroads with a track. The path ahead is signed as part of one of General Wade's military roads, whilst the red waymarkers indicate the turn to the right. Ignore both and turn left instead.
Soon pass a water building on the left and keep on the main track. As it heads through mature pines this is one of the best areas to see red squirrels in the wood - listed out for the scratching sound they make as they run up and down the trunks. Keep straight ahead downhill when another track joins from the left. The track soon reaches the back of the quarry. Keep straight ahead (ignoring a track to the left) and head downhill towards the quarry buildings. At the bottom pass a small parking area and bear right to reach the Daviot road. Turn left here and follow the road back to Daviot where it emerges opposite the car park.
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