Culag Woods on the edge of Lochinver are owned and managed by a local community trust and have been made into an excellent facility for short family walks. There are some lovely views.
Bog Factor
Informal woodland paths, rough underfoot.
Culag Hotel, Lochinver.
Lochinver is served by buses from Ullapool.
NC092222
Lochinver is a busy working port as the large warehouse buildings around the harbour testify. Culag Woods offer an easy escape from this hive of activity. The walk is described from in front of the Culag Hotel on the harbour in Lochinver; there are dedicated car parks for the woods on the road towards Inverkirkaig. From the Culag hotel, continue along the road further through the harbour area. After passing the lifeboat station, look out for a wooden signpost for 'Culag Woods' and 'Billy's Path' going off to the left - it is set back slightly from the road and could be easily missed.
Billy's Path climbs up through the woods, curving round to the left, and gives a view back over Lochinver - slowly becoming blocked by trees. The path bends right and then reaches a junction by a wishing tree; take the left path (ignoring the one signed as Anna's Path). The rough path now continues through the lovely mixed woodland, going up a flight of stone steps at one point and crossing a wooden boardwalk at another.
Ignore the 'higgledy-piggledy' path off to the left and the path off right, and instead continue ahead up some rough wooden steps. Eventually the path reaches a signed junction with a larger path; you'll return to this point, but first turn right to visit the White Shore. Continue along the path until it reaches this pebble beach, and then return to the junction.
This time keep ahead. When another path is reached go left, then turn right at a signed junction for the 'Viewpoint' - with a teepee visible over to the left. The path reaches a boardwalk off to the right that gives access to a viewing area out on the forest bog - a great spot for looking for dragonflies. Return to the path and continue to another junction, this time turning left (signed for the viewpoint again).
The path to the viewpoint can be muddy in places and ascends to and fro before reaching the top of the little hill. There's a seat with a view over Lochinver; continue through the trees to reach another seat, this time with a view of Suilven's improbable dome dominating the scene. Return back down the path, turning right to return to the teepee junction. This time turn right past the teepee to continue the walk.
The path leads through the attractive woodland. Ignore the 'higgledy piggledy' path off to the left and continue, joining a track and bearing right uphill on this. Pass some gas storage tanks and then fork left at the junction. The track now leads downhill passing workshops and the bunkhouse and cafe before arriving back at Lochinver harbour.
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