Loch Ness 360: Inverness to Drumnadrochit

Summary

The Loch Ness 360 begins by following the Great Glen Way (High Route option) from Inverness to Drumnadrochit. Generally easy walking through farmland, forestry and moorland with some good views over Loch Ness and the mountains to the north. The stage is however very long, and could be broken if you arrange a pick up or accommodation at Abriachan.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Well made paths, forestry tracks, minor road and one section of pavement alongside the A82. Short steep sections.

Public Transport

Inverness has all types of public transport. Drumnadrochit is fairly well served by buses.

Start

Inverness Castle. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 31.6km / 19.75 miles
Time: 7 - 9 hours
Ascent: 646m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NH664441

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Accommodation

Walk Description

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Stage 1

Beginning from the banks of the River Ness below Inverness Castle in the heart of the city. With your back to the castle, head left along the pavement beside the river. Pass but do not cross the suspension footbridge, but after another 350m do turn right across a short footbridge with iron railings across a sluice, heading onto the first of the Ness Islands. The footpath crosses two more footbridges to continue onto further islands, and then a final suspension footbridge to reach the far side of the River Ness. Turn left again here, keeping by the river, until a Great Glen Way sign indicates where to turn right into the Whin Park car park beside the toilets. Pass the car park entrance barrier and cross the tarred road, bearing left onto a path on the far verge. This eventually joins a cycle path; continue ahead, curving left when the embankment of a road is reached and then right to pass through a tunnel below the road.

Stage 2

On the far side turn right, climbing up to the canal towpath and turning right again along this. The busy A82 road is reached; cross with care and turn left to cross the swing bridge. Now turn right to pick up the towpath on the far side of the canal. Look out for a marker post indicating where to turn left down steps, continuing beside a golf course.

Stage 3

At the far end bear left, along the edge of a housing estate. Pass under a road bridge, following the waymarkers and then along the edge of a playpark. Go straight across a road; the path climbs and bears left before heading up to the striking NatureScot building. Keep ahead up the access road to reach a T-junction. Go left here, then take the next right (watch for waymarkers). Pass around the left side of a building and then follow the path that climbs uphill, clear of Inverness at last. It soon leads through beautiful mature woodland. Turn right at a waymarker, still climbing with great views back over Inverness.

Stage 4

Pass some benches and continue along the path as it swings left, soon passing near a reservoir fringed by gorse. Go through a gate, bearing right and passing a large pylon before joining a track and turning left along it. Leave the track when it swings left uphill, instead going through a gate ahead and following an excellent path through the forestry. There is now a lengthy stretch through the trees behind Dulnain Hill and Craig Leach. Keep ahead on the marked path, passing through several gates and ignoring turnings. When a track runs across the route keep straight ahead. The plantations give way to scattered native Scots pine and the views improve dramatically, taking in the distant mountains to the northwest. Eventually the path joins a minor road; turn right along it.

Stage 5

Continue along the quiet road for just under 4km, until a marker indicates where to turn right. The route continues as a path through the trees, passing an outdoor cafe and basic campsite. When a road is reached go straight across onto the track opposite. Soon turn left (following the Great Glen Way High Route sign) into the parking for Abriachan Forest trails - there are composting toilets on the left here and picnic tables.

Stage 6

Continue through the car park until until a blue GGW marker post indicates where to turn left soon passing a large forest classroom and open air workshop. At the path junction bear right, soon passing a reconstructed iron age hut. Beyond the hut, turn left, and at the next fork, keep left again (the path heading right here is for mountain-bikers). The path climbs and passes a bench before reaching a signed junction. Take the left hand path, marked for Càrn na Leitire. Continue across the moorland, at a fork keep right. Eventually the path bears right just below the cairn marking the 434m summit of Càrn na Leitire, but do detour to the cairn as it's a wonderful viewpoint.

Stage 7

Continue on the main path which is now heading slightly downhill, to another signed junction and keep right staying on the GGW. At a track turn right and follow this until another track is reached with a map and GGW info board. Turn left here. The track leads through a gate and leaves the trees for open moorland. Soon there’s a glimpse of Loch Ness far below to the left. Head back into forestry at a gate, continuing down the track.

Stage 8

Amongst the trees are the remains of a Canadian lumbjack's camp from World War 2. Thousands of Newfoundlanders, or Newfies as their adopted home called them, volunteered to help provide timber for the war effort. At a turning area with an information board keep ahead, now on a footpath. The path descends through the forest, with several sharp switch-backs. Cross a footbridge and eventually leave this long section in the trees at a gate; there is a view to Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness in the distance ahead.

Stage 9

When the path forks keep left as waymarked, descending and then entering another area of woodland at a gate. Continue through this, going straight across at a track. After a couple more gates the path descends almost to the main road. Soon it detours briefly to the right uphill to pass around the gardens of a roadside house. It then descends to meet a driveway and the main A82 road beyond. Turn right along the pavement and follow it all the way into Drumnadrochit.

Next stage: Drumnadrochit to Invermoriston

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