Walk 1319 - printer friendly version

The Bone Caves of Inchnadamph Walk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 3.0 miles / 4.9 km

Ascent - 600 feet / 182 metres

Grade - easy

Start - OS grid reference NC253179
Lat 58.115472 + Long -4.9672823
Postcode IV27 4HL (approx. location only)

The bone caves of Inchnadamph provided evidence of creatures that once roamed Scotland's glens and mountains. Although the evidence has been removed the caves nevertheless provide a worthwhile objective for this short and generally easy walk through limestone country. It is worth noting that during and after heavy rain, the dry valley may contain a river that is difficult to cross and the walk may have to be shortened below the caves.

The start is the small car park (Grid ref. NC253179) adjacent to the salmon farm on the east side of the A837 some 3 kilometres south of Inchnadamph towards Ledmore. Leave the car park at its eastern end and follow the clear path up the valley with the river on your right. Continue past the waterfall to reach a spring. In normal conditions the limestone valley upstream is dry with the river flowing underground through the limestone and it exits at this spring. Only after heavy rain the valley does contain a river.

The clear path continues up the valley of the Allt nan Uamh with steep slopes on either side. Slowly the valley narrows and you will see the caves above on the right hand side of the valley in the Creag nan Uamh. At the path junction (grid ref. NC265173) continue ahead ignoring the right hand branch. This leads you across the river and into a side valley with the path doubling back on itself to reach the caves.

Having completed your exploration exit the caves and turn left along the path which leads you back down to the valley path to retrace your steps to the start.

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