Aird Mhòr and the Falls of Balgy

Summary

This beautiful walk on the south side of Loch Torridon offers stunning views of mountains and sea throughout. It rounds a picturesque pinewood-clad peninsula before ascending through rougher country past the Falls of Balgy, before returning through the pines. The walk can easily be shortened by returning after the Aird Mhòr loop.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Paths and tracks throughout; the section by the Falls of Balgy is rough and bouldery and can be a little wet

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

Car park at Beinn Bar. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 14km / 8.75 miles
Time: 3.5 - 4 hours
Ascent: 350m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NG889542

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (6)

Stage 1

Start from the parking for Torridon Activities/Beinn Bar (the entrance after the Torridon Hotel turn off the A896 heading east between Torridon and Sheildaig). Begin the walk by heading just left of the bar and through the courtyard behind it. Follow the track over a small bridge. At the cross-tracks, keep straight ahead (signed for Torridon Trail, Falls of Balgy etc.). After 500m ignore the Torridon Trail which heads off right, instead continuing along the track, which winds through the pinewoods. As the route continues there are great views over the loch, with a spectacular modern house on Dubh-aird (ignore the track off right to this). The track then comes down to the loch shores for a time.

Stage 2

The next part of the route is a detour out to visit the lovely Aird Mhòr peninsula before returning here. As the track starts to climb look out for a footbridge down to the right - it's easily missed - and turn right down stone steps to reach and cross it. Now follow the path that runs along the eastern edge of the peninsula. At a junction of paths turn right. The path continues around above the shoreline, giving grand views, particularly over a house towards the tip.

Stage 3

The path joins a track; turn right and follow it to the house. Soon the track swings right down to the shore but the walk continues on a clear path ahead between the pine trees. The route is ingeniously constructed in places and soon curves left to give views over the other side of the peninsula. The steep rounded hill ahead is the Sgùrr na Bana Mhoraire, the northernmost termination of the Beinn Dàmh ridge.

Stage 4

The path eventually leads back to the track. Turn right and continue to reach a junction with a metal barrier; again go right here to reach a fork. Take the lower, right hand track. This leads easily to the west, passing the site of a house. Further on ignore a track off to houses on the right, and later at another junction ignore a couple of newer tracks heading off uphill to the left, instead continuing to reach a restored house and cottages. Follow the track from here across two cattlegrids to eventually reach the A896 just east of the bridge over the Balgy.

Stage 5

Cross the road to head through a pedestrian gate on the far side. This gives access to a path that crosses a stream on stepping stones and soon comes close to the River Balgy. Continue upstream; the route is clear but boggy in places. It soon reaches the Falls of Balgy where the river drops several metres in a powerful cascade. The Balgy, though short, is well known as a salmon river and the fish can sometimes be seen leaping the falls in the summer. The path climbs above the falls and then passes through a gate in a deer fence. Further on a signpost indicates a path off to the left to a Viewpoint; this rough path climbs the moor to give more views of the Torridon hills though perhaps less fine from those earlier in the walk so you won't be missing out if you omit it.

Stage 6

Instead continue ahead to pass through another gate, after which the path becomes much rougher as it continues beside the still waters of Loch Dàmh. The path then passes through a third fence. Just beyond this a track comes down to the shores of the loch. Turn left and follow this uphill to join a larger one. Turn left again here and follow the track beside the fence. It climbs slightly before descending to reach the A896 directly opposite West Lodge.

Stage 7

Take the track off the opposite side of the road, to the left of the house, immediately reaching a junction. Turn right here - signed for Annat - passing through two gates. Follow the track as it continues through the forest where work is ongoing to eradicate invasive rhodendron. At open stretches there are stunning views across Loch Torridon to Beinn Alligin on the left, and the west end of Liathach directly ahead. The outward route is rejoined - keep ahead, and ignore tracks off left. Eventually the track leads back to the start.

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