Walking BritainLoch Affric Circular
Highland Walk
County/Area - Highland - Central Highland
Author - Lou Johnson
Length - 11.0 miles / 17.9 km Ascent - 1100 feet / 333 metres
Time - 6 hours 40 minutes Grade - moderate
Maps 
| Ordnance Survey Explorer 414 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Explorer 414 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
Walk Route Description
Click image to see photo description.
Glen Affric is one of the most beautiful parts of the Scottish Highlands and this walk completes a circuit of Loch Affric which is surrounded Munros (hills over 3,000 feet). The route is easy to follow and is full of interest including mountain views, waterfalls, Caledonian pinewoods plus lots more.
The walk starts at the end of the public road into Glen Affric where a pay and display car park is available for visitors (grid ref. NH201234). After parking exit along the path at the western end and continue to a bridge. Cross the bridge, pass through a small gate and continue along the track to a fork. Bear right and walk parallel to the Loch Affric on your right. After 400 metres you pass a small loch on your left. Soon you have a view to Affric Lodge on your right. The excellent track continues ahead and is part of the Affric Kintail Way.
The undulating track contours across the hillside offering magnificent views across the loch including majestic Munro Mam Sodhail. Nearing the western end of the loch, the track reaches another fork (grid ref. NH139206). Bear right, cross a stream and passes a cottage on your left to cross a larger bridge over the River Affric. You soon pass a cottage used by mountaineers. 400 metres beyond the cottage you reach a junction (grid ref. NH127208). Turn right up a narrower track that heads up a hill in a north-easterly direction.
You soon pass Loch Coulavie on your right. The onward track continues across the hillside fording a number of streams. Note after heavy rain one stream may be problematic. The track continues to a bridge over Allt Coire Leachavie and soon after a path on the left is the normal approach to Mam Sodhail. Continue ahead to reach a gate through a fence (grid ref. NH156229). You then enter a Pinewood Regeneration area where native Scots Pines are being encouraged to grow.
Pass through another fence (grid ref. NH178232) and continue alongside the fence surrounding the Affric Lodge Estate. Stay on the signed route to reach a tarmac drive which is followed back to the start.
Other walks nearby
| Walk 2513 | Five day Knoydart exploration | very hard | 91.4 miles |
| Walk 3083 | Five Sisters Ridge, North Glen Shiel | very hard | 8.0 miles |
| Walk 2468 | Falls of Glomach | moderate | 7.5 miles |
| Walk 3289 | Loch Lundie from Invergarry | easy/mod | 6.5 miles |
| Walk 3275 | Ben Tee & Kilfinnan Falls from Laggan | mod/hard | 7.5 miles |
| Walk 2166 | Laggan Locks Circular | easy | 4.0 miles |
| Walk 2824 | Arkaig Hills Circular | moderate | 8.8 miles |
| Walk 1163 | Fraoch Bheinn | moderate | 5.0 miles |
| Walk 1886 | Carn a' Bhealaich Mhoir | easy/mod | 8.0 miles |
| Walk 2116 | Beinn Eighe Route Guide | hard | 13.0 miles |
Recommended Books & eBooks
Walking the Munros Vol 2 - Northern Highlands and the Cairngorms
Guidebook to walking the northern Munros, covering the northern Highlands, the Cairngorms and the Isle of Skye. 70 routes are described, including those up Ben Macdui, Braeriach and Cairn Gorm. Routes range from 7 to 46km, requiring a fair level of fitness. The second of two guidebooks to walking Scotland's Munros: peaks higher than 3000ft.
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Great Mountain Days in Scotland
Inspirational guidebook to 50 challenging routes for mountaineers, scramblers, hillwalkers and fell runners, many long enough to backpack over 2 days, especially in winter (12 to 25 miles). A mix of classic routes and unsung gems across Scotland from Galloway to the Outer Hebrides in widely differing wild landscapes. With customised OS mapping.
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