Oak and Juniper paths, Dundreggan

Summary

The Dundreggan Rewilding Centre - run by Trees for Life - has four waymarked routes through the beautiful native woodlands that surround it. This walk combines the two easier trails - Ceum an Aitinn (Juniper Path) and Ceum an Daraich (Oak Path) to make a figure of eight around the visitor centre.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Broad, well-surfaced paths with some ascent and descent but plenty of benches.

Public Transport

The Inverness - Skye bus passes the start.

Start

Dundreggan Rewilding Centre car park. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 2.5km / 1.5 miles
Time: 1 hour
Ascent: 53m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NH331146

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

The walk begins from the Dundreggan Rewilding centre car park; the visitor centre here includes a cafe. There are four waymarked trails, the easier two of which are combined to make this figure of eight walk. Begin the walk from the car park by heading through the gate to the right of the green electricity box - following the Ceum an Aitinn (Juniper Path) for the first loop. The broad path soon crosses a footbridge and winds through the trees.

Stage 2

As its name suggests, the trail leads through substantial stands of juniper. The estate and rewilding centre are owned by Trees for Life, a charity which works to regenerate and restore the native Caledonian Forest, largely through volunteer programs. Ignore a minor path branching right, continuing on the main surfaced trail until a junction. The route continues to the left here, but first fork right to make a brief detour to visit a waterfall, where there is a seat. Returning to the junction to continue the walk.

Stage 3

The path soon leads back to the car park. For the second loop, the Ceum an Daraich (Oak Path) - take the path to the right of the rewilding centre building, passing the dipping pond and play area. Go through a gate to reach a junction. Ignore the path right (the more challenging Ceum an Fhraoich route), and instead continue ahead with a fence on your left. After several buildings, you'll see a large group of polytunnels - this is the Dundreggan tree nursery. Although natural regeneration is preferred, some areas are devoid of seed or lack certain species such as aspen, so native trees are cultivated here for planting to speed the rewilding of the estate.

Stage 4

The path now leaves the buildings behind and gently climbs up through the beautiful woodland, with plenty of oak trees. Continue up past a bench; the surfaced path now swings round to the right. Ignore the Ceum a’ Ghiuthais and Ceum an Fhraoich paths which come in from the left into the trees, instead continuing on the main route, passing a picnic table. There are some beautiful birch trees, and the height gained gives good views across Glen Moriston.

Stage 5

The path curves round to the right uphill. Ignore the start of the Ceum a' Ghiuthais which goes off left. Eventually the path descends a couple of zigzags and leads back downhill to the rewilding centre and the start of the walks.

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