This short circuit follows the banks of the beautiful River Broom, popular with salmon fishermen, as far as the Junction Pool, before returning on tracks. The route can be extended to visit the Cuileag Gorge.
Bog Factor
Good paths; a couple of burn crossings may give trouble in spate.
Lael Forest car park (southern). .
Regular bus service between Ullapool and Inverness passes by the start.
NH195805
The walk begins from the more southerly of the two forestry car parks at Lael Forest Garden. Begin the walk by crossing the main road and then the iron Auchindrean Bridge over the River Broom. On the far side turn left onto the signposted riverside path.
The River Broom is a delightful companion, its banks richly wooded with native deciduous trees. For a time the path becomes enclosed by a fence on the right, before heading along another wooded section with a steep drop to the river at one point.
A very short detour on the left is needed to visit the Junction Pool, where the waters of the River Broom and those of the Abhainn Cuileag meet. This is a picturesque spot, popular both with salmon fishermen and with otters after the same prey; there's a seat. From the pool take the path that leads to the right, eventually crossing a side burn and reaching a track.
It's possible to extend the route from here by following the left hand path which leads to the Cuileag Gorge, and then using paths that traverse the hillside before descending to Auchindrean. Our route, however, simply follows the track to the right. It passes through several gates used to keep deer from areas of regenerating woodland, and crosses a ford over a small burn at one point. Once Auchindrean farmhouse is reached turn right, passing through two sets of gates and then following the track that leads back to the Auchindrean Bridge crossed at the start of the walk. Keep ahead to return across the road to the car park.
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