Loch Affric circuit

From the River Affric car park at the road end, take the right-hand track along the north side of the lower loch, through birch and then Scots pine. The way passes above Affric Lodge and continues west on a track through a deer fence, past some of the oldest 'granny pines' in the glen. Beyond the bridge over the Allt Coire Leachavie the trees thin out; the track crosses the Allt Coulavie, passes above Loch Coulavie and joins the main glen track. Cross the River Affric by the bridge at Athnamulloch, beside Strawberry Cottage, and follow the track back east along the south side of the loch into the pinewood and the car park.

It is 17.5 km with 249 m of ascent; allow about 5 hours. The grade is Moderate: long, but on good tracks with little climbing.

This is remote country with no escape routes. Walkhighlands warns that burns on the north side, including the Allt Coulavie, can be impassable in spate, so avoid the walk after heavy rain. Fences keep deer out of parts of the forest so that the pines can seed and grow: close the gates behind you.

The car park charges (£5 for the day; one ticket covers all four Glen Affric car parks) and has toilets from April to October. There is no public transport to the start.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.