Spring Walks in the Great Glen

Enjoy our Blog piece from seasoned walker and contributing blogger Philip Greco.

Have a look at his pick of some of the walks you can enjoy as you discover the areas off the boats as they make their way up and down the Glen this Spring. We have enjoyed some wonderful warm weather over the last few weeks, dare we say not a drop of rain .. t-shirts even!

To further whet your appetite take a look at one of our Walking-specific Cruises and see for yourself. Enjoy the read!

Spring Walks in the Great Glen

You may only want to whisper it, but we’re nearly there now: Winter’s End. The Vernal Equinox is upon us, the days are lengthening, and the weather is, dare I say it, “improving”. Springtime in the Highlands can seem an elusive entity, but rain or shine, or more often both in rapid succession, it is high time to come out of hibernation, get outside, and make the most of whatever the day offers.

The Great Glen is the ideal place to shake the winter drear out of your bones and get your legs into the rhythm of walking. Whatever the weather is doing and whatever your fitness level, there are plentiful paths to take you through the diverse landscapes of the area and show off the diversity of our flora and fauna. You will find everything from quiet loch-side ambles through birch, alder, and bluebell wood, to brisk river walks in native pine forests, as well as leg-burning climbs up Munros with panoramic views. There is literally something for everyone here and spring is the perfect time to stravaig and see what you might discover.

A great short outing with loads to offer is the walk from Fort Augustus up to Lady Falls . Whether in smirr (of rain (or snow): to fall gently and softly in fine clouds, to drizzle) or sun, this is a delightful route that heads just up into the hills to a secretive waterfall. The route is only a few miles out and back but it passes through lush pasture into mature woodland before hugging fast to the side of a wild ravine. There’s a signpost for Lady Falls at the start of the woodland track, and subsequent signs along the way make route finding straightforward. Keep an eye out for red squirrels here, they can be striking against the new green foliage.

The path skirts the edge of Culachy manor past estate buildings and a deer pen holding some very mature stags. Past the deer pen the path hugs the side of the steepening ravine carved out by the river Tarff. Gnarled old birch trees have contorted themselves into fantastical shapes, and the views up Glen Tarff through the greenery are magical. There are mature oak, beech, alder, rowan, and hazel. The hazel tree was widely cultivated by the Gaels as a source of food, and the flexible, strong shoots were put to a variety of uses, Keep an eye out for raptors circling the skyline over the hills.

Lady Falls soon appears and is a good place to get the flask out and take a few photos before heading back. Retrace your steps back to the cemetery, or make a right on Ardachy road, cross the bridge and follow the signs down to the shore of Loch Ness where you will meet the South Loch Ness Trail . This is a great place to watch the spring lambs, or see what migratory birds are having a layover in the green pastures.

Another area worth heading to when the weather is less-than-ideal is the river Garry. The river runs about three miles from the power dam at the bottom of Loch Garry before emptying into Loch Oich. It is a broad, fast-flowing river with deep, dark pools given cover by mature beech, birch, and oak trees along its length. Salmon still migrate here and during runs can be spied making leaps up the fast-flowing rapids. There is a clear and easy path along its bank leading to Whitebridge and the Ciste Dubh Forestry Commission car park.

This is the perfect area to wander about the river, streams, and forest. Along the river, whose banks are carpeted in bluebells come April/May, keep an eye out for otters and dippers. Once at Whitebridge you can cross over and either go right up the Ciste Dubh trail to the dam, or you can go left and back along the River Garry on the opposite side for a ways before branching right up the Alt na Calliche trail . This path leads through lush evergreen forest where you can spot the poetically-named glittering wood moss , waved silk moss , and the little shaggy moss. Look and listen for crested tits in the forest!

The path will soon cross a bridge and head uphill with a change in the forest floor with plenty of bilberry and heather. The forest opens up with mature beech and Scots pine trees along the route, and I’m sure pine martens and wild cats lurk about here, though chances of seeing them are slim. Still, look for their signs in the softer sections of the path.

Not far up there is an overlook at a waterfall, and from here you can either meander back the way you came, or continue up the steepening path to the top of the waterfall which eventually ends at a forestry track. Go left on the track heading down, where there are stands of old birch trees, keeping an eye out for a trail on the left which leads to the first footbridge and back to the River Garry.

Even if it’s a bit dreich out there’s always plenty of colour and life along the river and in the forest to brighten the mood.

When you’ve got the weather and fitness on your side, the two Munros over Loch Lochy, Sròn a’ Choire Ghairbh and Meall na Teanga offer a superb yet straightforward hillwalk. The route starts with a couple of miles through a flat forest track (cycling down is an option)before the hill path branches off on the right. From here it’s a steep and rocky ascent beneath the imposing ridgeline to the bealach below the two summits.

Sròn a’ Choire Ghairbh, or “Nose of the Rough Corrie” (937m) is the summit to the right and faces south so is the first to be clear of snow. The path can still be sodden and very slippery, so take care. From the top you have a commanding view of the Great Glen to the East, the Loch Quoich hills and Knoydart in the West, and the Glen Affric peaks to the North.

For Meall na Teanga, or “Round Hill of the Tongue” (918m), go back down to the bealach and back up the path directly opposite. Snow can linger on this northern approach path, and is best avoided if this is the case. If not, and the way to the top is clear, your efforts will be met with fine views of the Nevis Range and Loch Linnhe.

The first peaks of warm(ish) weather are always special, and these two will get your legs and imagination firing, ready to do more. Or perhaps you’ve never attempted a Munro before? These would be ideal for first-timers, and this article ” preparation for hillwalking” is a good place to start with the preparation.