Loch Ness 360: Dores to Inverness

Summary

The final stage of the Loch Ness 360 and South Loch Ness Trail leaves the loch behind to climb up onto a low moorland ridge which it follows towards Inverness. The final section heads alongside the River Ness and its islands before finishing at Inverness Castle. There are excellent views towards the Moray Firth and the distant Kessock Bridge.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Minor road and tracks, can be muddy in places; woodland path.

Getting there

Start

Dores Inn, Dores.

Public Transport

Dores is served by bus from Inverness.

Start Grid Ref

NH598347

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 17.25km / 10.75 miles
Time: 4 - 5 hours
Ascent: 190m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (4)

Stage 1

Leave Dores on B852 towards Inverness, there is a pavement. Pass the church and graveyeard which are worth a look around if time allows. After a short while there is a good view back over fields to the waters of Loch Ness.

Stage 2

Continue until the primary school and cross the car park to follow the surfaced path around the back of the school (don't take the path that heads directly uphill). The path then runs parallel to the main road; continue along it until it reaches a minor road near a couple of houses. Turn right to pass the houses on the road and when another minor road leaves to the left (signed for the cycle route to Inverness) stay on the road which bends right, crosses a bridge and starts to climb uphill.

Stage 3

The road climbs round several zig-zags and passes the McBain Memorial Park, a walled memorial garden and park built in 1961 by Hughston McBain, a Canadian who re-established a landowning link to the area as part of his efforts to become the 21st Clan Chief of Clan MacBean in 1968. A short way beyond this, almost at the crest of the hill, take a waymarked track on the left. Go through the gate and follow the track across the open moorland, a wide elevated area of gorse, heather and livestock grazing ground with good views.

Stage 4

Keep on the track ahead, which can be muddy in places; ignore a track forking right. Eventually the track goes through another gate. Keep ahead - there are extensive views though the Kessock Bridge is hidden by foliage in summer. The tracks continue through areas of lovely birch and pine trees before it becomes a larger track at a turning area, keep straight on here.

Stage 5

The track starts to descend gradually, stay on the main track ignoring routes onff on either side. When a fork is reached take the slightly left fork to keep straight on heading downhill. At the next fork keep right to climb uphill for a short distance before a flat section with views over farmland to the left. At another fork keep left and the track descends and turns left to cross farmland and pass a couple of houses at Cuillard.

Stage 6

Before the main road is reached turn right (to the right of double gates) to follow a path into Cullaird Wood. Keep left when the path forks, and when a track is reached go straight across. Further on it leads past a woodland pond, keep right (waymarked) at a junction beyond this. Stay on the main path, ignoring branches off to either side, to eventually meet the minor road 500m west of Torbreck. Go straight across this road, soon reaching a t-junction with a path - turn left along this.

Stage 7

The surfaced path soon leads through a pedestrian gate. Keep left on the main path when an informal path goes off right. The path leads through pleasant woodland, eventually joining a track and then meeting a road. Turn left along the road, then right when it meets the main road at a t-junction. At the big roundabout take the left exit, then at the next roundabout take the first exit (signed Ness-side) and cross the road. Almost immediately turn right through a metal farm gate to follow a path just left of a fence. At the field corner the path turns left to reach the river. Keep right here and follow the riverside path, keeping straight ahead until a gate is reached on the right.

Stage 8

Go through this and straight ahead up to the road. Turn left and stay on the pavement to cross the River Ness. On the far side take the steps on the left down to the river and turn left to go under the bridge and pass the hydro-electric building. Very soon turn right to cross a footbridge then keep left on the main path to reach Whin Park.

Stage 9

Keep to the right side of the park (you can detour diagonally left across the park to reach the toilets and snack kiosk at the car park) eventually crossing another footbridge. Keep right to follow the riverside path. Turn right to cross the first pedestrian bridge to reach the pretty Ness Islands. Follow the footpath through the islands and onto the far bank of the river turn left to follow the pavement along the riverside road to reach the centre of Inverness with the Castle up on your right.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Drumandrochit and Fort Augustus Hotels

Drumandrochit and Fort Augustus B&B

Drumandrochit and Fort Augustus cottages

Loch Ness hostels

Glamping and Camping

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