This short stage of the Great Glen Way could be combined with the next leg to Drumnadrochit. The walking mostly follows forest tracks above Loch Ness with some good views over the loch.
Waymarked walking on tracks or paths throughout; some ascent.
The A82 between Fort William and Inverness is served by buses throughout its length.
Fort Augustus.
Begin from the centre of picturesque Fort Augustus, where the A82 crosses the Caledonian Canal. This is the last you will see of the canal until eventual arrival in Inverness. To begin, head north along the A82, passing a petrol station and a large car park, until a Great Glen Way and footpath sign indicates a path off to the left that cuts the corner before joining the minor road. Continue along the road, bearing right after Morag's Lodge and then keeping straight ahead at the next junction where a road leads off left towards Jenkin's Park. Follow the quiet road as it curves around to the right.
Just before the road rejoins the main A82, and opposite the Three Bridges B&B, a Great Glen Way sign indicates a footpath off to the left. This soon crosses a wooden footbridge and then begins a steep little climb amidst giant fir trees. The climb ends when the path joins a forest track; turn right here. The dense forest blocks the views at first, but eventually a bench is reached at a break in the trees, giving fine views over upper Loch Ness. Down below, near the shore, is tiny Cherry Island. This is actually a crannog, a man-made island which housed a fortified dwelling dating back 2,500 years. Cherry Island later had a medieval castle but today only a couple of spruce trees find space to grow there.
The white-waymarked Allt na Criche forestry walk joins in from the left at this point; continue ahead on the main track which slopes gently downhill. At the bottom of the slope it meets the road into the Allt na Criche car park; turn left and head through the car park, but ignore the white waymarked trail off to the left which is the start of the Allt na Criche forestry walk. Instead keep on the track from the far end of the parking; this eventually climbs gently; ignore a track going off to the left and head through a gate.
Once some height has been gained some smaller birch trees on the right permit more open views of Loch Ness once more, whilst further on the conifers have been felled to give excellent views, with the house at Port Clair on the lochside being visible at one point. The track crosses a bridge with a small but pretty waterfall on the left; continue along the track, eventually heading back amongst taller conifers.
As Invermoriston draws closer the main track swings sharply right downhill; leave it on this corner by taking the smaller track ahead that climbs slightly. This passes a water treatment works as it heads away from the loch into the lower reaches of Glen Moriston. Keep on the main track by staying right at the fork. Eventually a Great Glen Way marker post indicates a path which turns off very sharply to the right. This descends through the trees to reach a minor road in Glen Moriston. Turn right along the road to reach Invermoriston, which has a hotel, shop and bed and breakfast accommodation. When the main road is reached, turn left to reach the centre of this small village. As the modern A82 crosses the mighty River Moriston, there are excellent views on the left of the original Telford-built stone bridge which crosses above some rocky rapids.
Please consider setting up a direct debit donation to help support the continued maintenance and updates to Walkhighlands.
