Forsinain Trail, Strath Halladale

Summary

The waymarked Forsinain Trail crosses the peat bogs and forestry at the heart of the Flow Country and is a good chance to see peatland restoration in action. Look out for midge-eating sundew flowers, dragonflies, hen harriers and red throated divers - but also watch your step as the route is very wet.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Waymarked route through peat bog, forestry, riverside paths and tracks. Bog seciton has flagstones which are submerged in a few places although solid to walk on you may get wet feet. Bracken long next to river in high summer.

Getting there

Start

Parking area on west side of A897 opposite the barns of Forsinain Farm.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start Grid Ref

NC903485

Open in Google Maps

Walk Statistics

Distance: 6.5km / 4 miles
Time: 2 hours
Ascent: 116m (Profile)

Mapping and GPS

ROUTE MAP
View detailed map of walk

OS Paper map
Explorer 449 - Strath Halladale

Get our App FREE
Full GPS mapping &
descriptions when offline

Export GPX

Export KMZ

Open on Big Map showing all our routes

Want to sponsor this route?

Walk Description

User reports (2)

Stage 1

There is a large parking on the west side of the A897 opposite the barns of Forsinain Farm. There is an information board here. Begin the walk by crossing the road and the bridge over the River Halladale, then turning right along the track. At the next junction keep left and follow the track as it climbs past a cottage and further on, a disabled parking area.

Stage 2

The track then goes through a gate and swings left, heading towards some houses. Just before the first building is reached turn right to bypass it. Go through the gate and bear left and soon turn left (follow arrows) through another gate and bear right to head uphill on a grassy track between a stone wall and fence. Pass through another gate and then a wooden kissing gate at the top of the hill. Bear slightly right following red waymarkers across the moorland.

Stage 3

Soon a flagstone path is reached. Look out for plants like sundew, butterwort and cotton grasses in the boggy ground. The path is submerged in places but at least solid underfoot unlike the surrounding bog.

Stage 4

The path winds between the pools and bogs, typical of the Flow Country. It is full of colour and there are often many dragonflies. Look out for hen harriers, gold plover and skylarks. At the end of the flagstone trail a sign post indicates a left turn onto a faint grassy path through an area of cleared forest and peatland restoration. Follow the marker posts. When the route meets a burn, it heads left to reach a footbridge. Further on, there are some views towards Loch Bad a'Bhothain off to the right. From May to August you may see red-throated divers here.

Stage 5

After the loch the path bend left towards the remaining forestry and after another footbridge it reaches a track. Continue ahead to reach the main forestry track and turn left along this. Eventually the track crosses a bridge and continues gently downhill, going through a gateway at the edge of the trees.

Stage 6

Before the track reaches the A897 at Forsinain Bridge, turn left onto a waymarked grassy path. Go through a kissing gate and follow the trail up the near side of the Forsinain River. The path is wet in places and at one point climbs high above the river before eventually returning to the start of the walk near the barns. Turn right across the bridge back to the car park at the start.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Report error

Let us know if you've found an error in our route, or if it needs updating.

Write walk report

Share your story and photos from this route.
£150 of Highlander Outdoor gear to win every month.

Can you help support walkhighlands?

This website and app are run by 'Walkhighlands for All' - a not-for-profit set up to serve walkers' needs.
We rely on the generosity of our users - can you help?