Inverlael to Oykel Bridge

Summary

Easy vehicle and forest tracks sandwich a rough traverse of the Inverlael Forest moorland and beautiful Glen Douchary. Two pleasant bothies offer options for cutting this long day short.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Wide forest and estate tracks plus good footpaths in the main, barring a rough pathless section and indistinct riverside footpath. River crossings could be serious in spate.

Public Transport

Inverness to Ullapool buses pass Inverlael. Highland Council Dial-a-Bus service (must be prebooked) between Oykel Bridge and Lairg (for trains/scheduled buses).

Start

Inverlael. Open in Google Maps.

Hillwalking in Winter

Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. All route descriptions and difficulties given here are for summer conditions. See our Winter Skills page for basic information on the essential skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 34.5km / 21.5 miles
Time (summer conditions): 8 - 11 hours
Ascent: 769m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NH182852

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (4)

Stage 1

Head through the gate and along the track between the cottage and phone box at Inverlael. This wide track passes an information board on the left - outlining the history of the ruined township of Inverlael visible on the hillside beyond - before entering a commercial forestry plantation. Go through a gate and pass a couple of buildings before branching left and downhill to cross two bridges. Turn left on the far side, take the upper, righthand fork at the next junction and then turn right just past a green waymarker post.

Stage 2

This zig-zagging continues as the forest track climbs the hillside, turn left then right, then just as the forest begins to peter out, revealing stunning views over to the Beinn Dearg group of Munros, turn sharply left and climb the steep path to leave the forest via a kissing gate. The path remains good for another 2km as it runs above the Allt Badan Seasgach before crossing a final ford and ending at a tiny cairn.

Stage 3

Contour around the south and eastern slopes of the unnamed 667m hill before dropping down across rough ground towards the idyllically-situated and quite extensive ruins in Glen Douchary around NH244900.

Stage 4

Hop across the River Douchary here - perhaps less of a hop when the river is in spate - and follow the faint, narrow path along the western bank of the river. Recross just above a waterfall and continue along the eastern river bank. Beyond the third (impressive) waterfall marked on the OS 1:50,000 map, the river drops into a large steep-sided gorge. The path is unclear here, often indistinct and confused with deer paths. It is not necessary to go down into the gorge itself. Contour north-east until you meet a ravine (of the Allt nan Caorach). Descend into this with great care, cross the burn and climb out of the other side of the ravine to strike ENE across rough, heathery ground to the SW end of Loch an Daimh.

Stage 5

Upon reaching the loch shore turn left - loch-side of a small fenced enclosure - to pick up a vehicle track heading west and gently uphill. Follow this to emerge at a good track running southwest to northeast parallel to the loch.

Stage 6

Turn right and enjoy 3km of easy walking before Knockdamph bothy is reached. This basic shelter could be a good place to spend the night (though a second bothy, Duag Schoolhouse, is only 7km further on by a good track). Knockdamph bothy is maintained by volunteers from the Mountain Bothy Association; please help by carrying out any rubbish you find here, and always follow the bothy code when visiting.

Stage 7

After following the obvious track above the rivers turn left at the T-junction in Strath Mulzie and cross Duag Bridge. The Schoolhouse bothy is located next to the track just uphill from the bridge, erected by the local authorities and believed to be in use as a school until the 1930s. Like Knockdamph, the bothy is maintained by MBA volunteers so again please help by carrying out any rubbish you find here, and always follow the bothy code if visiting. Moving on, after 500m ignore the righthand fork heading uphill and remain on the main track.

Stage 8

This is very easy walking - unless footsore at the end of a long day in which case the hard surface will probably be less-than-welcome - cross a bridge and again ignore several overgrown paths heading right to curve sharply left. After another 2.5km turn left to cross a latticework bridge over the River Einig, turn right on the far side to join a surfaced road and pass a row of houses. Follow the road as it turns left to run alongside the River Oykel and reach Oykel Bridge. There's very little here other than the Oykel Bridge Hotel.

Next stage: Oykel Bridge to Inchnadamph

Stages 1-6: Phil Turner

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