Affric Kintail Way: Drumnadrochit to Cannich

The first stage of the Affric-Kintail Way climbs up from Drumnadrochit through Craigmonie woods before following forestry and farm tracks to the hamlet of Shenval. There is a chance to detour to the impressive Corrimony chambered cairn before a long stretch along a busy road and the descent into Cannich with shop, campsite, cafe, pub, buses.

Terrain

Waymarked paths and forest tracks. Final 7km is along main road with minimal verge. Farm livestock near Shenval, dogs to be kept under tight control.

Public Transport

Buses from Inverness to Drumnadrochit and Cannich.

Start

Drumnadrochit. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

The Affric Kintail Way officially begins at the large car park in Drumnadrochit, by the Tourist Information and toilets. Turn right out of the car park and follow the main road for approximately 300 metres until a crossroads - there is a footpath sign on a lamp post here for Craigmonie and Balmacaan. Turn right and follow Pitkerrald Road for another 200m where the road forks. Take the left hand track (signed for Craigmonie Woodland walks) which climbs gently uphill with woodland on the right. Follow the track past a house and keep straight ahead until the edge of the woods where there are two giant redwood trees, with a dilapidated information board up on the right. Leave the track by heading up to the right here past the board, following an earth path into the woods. This soon forks - take the right branch.

Stage 2

The path soon joins a larger one coming in from the left; continue ahead, following the green and red waymarkers. The path levels off and gives glimpses of Loch Ness through the silver birch trees. When the path forks take the right hand path (green waymakers) heading slightly downhill. The path follows the side of Glen Urquhart, giving views of the houses at Easter Milton and Allanmore. You may hear woodpeckers and spot red squirrels; pine martens are rarer but also resident in the area. Keep to the level path, ignoring a track to the left. After crossing a small bridge the path swings left uphill, climbing fairly steeply to pass the Milton viewpoint, where there are seats and an information board on the left. Continuing up the main path, turn right at a junction, signed for Glencoiltie Loop.

Stage 3

The route rises, drops to a footbridge, then climbs again steeply. Eventually a sharp bend is reached; turn left here, following the main track, which climbs more gradually to a junction beneath a bench with a view out to Loch Ness. Turn right - signed for Corrimony. A good forestry track now undulates through the forest, with good views out over Glen Urquhart at times.

Stage 4

After a high point the track gradually descends over several kilometres, eventually coming alongside the river. Keep ahead through a gate at a junction to reach a forestry car park and picnic area. Continue until a sign and then turn left (signed for Shenval and Corrimony).

Stage 5

The track leads west soon going heading through a gate and heading gently uphill. After a short distance Loch Meiklie comes into view and there are more glimpses of this as the track continues through the forestry.

Stage 6

Where a track heads up off to the left continue straight ahead as the route undulates through the thick spruce plantation. At a crossroads continue ahead and ignore a smaller path down to the right. Eventually a signed (Corrimony) junction is reached, turn sharp right to head downhill here. Keep left to follow the bend in the track and soon go through a gate onto a farm track. Here the first views of the Affric mountains can be seen ahead. Follow the, sometimes muddy, track round to the left and across the bridge and through the gate to reach the houses at Shenval.

Stage 7

Follow the road and at the junction go straight across (signed Corrimony) onto a track. Pass the gate and follow the track until a signed junction where you turn right to head downhill. At the road you can choose to detour 1km to the left to visit Corrimony cairn, otherwise turn right to cross White Bridge and reach the A831. Turn left to follow this road for the 7km to Cannich. Whilst there are good mountain views in places, the road can be fast and has very little verge to retreat to. After the steep descent bear right to cross the river and approach the village - the campsite and excellent Bog Cotton Cafe are passed on the left. To reach the shop, pub and bus stop, continue and turn left at the T junction.

Next stage: Cannich to Affric

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