River Affric and Am Meallan viewpoint

Both trails start at the River Affric car park, where the public road ends. The River Affric trail winds down to the river where it runs through a small rocky gorge into Loch Beinn a' Mheadhain, follows the bank on stone steps past a little waterfall, then climbs back to the car park past a bench with a view. Across the road, the Am Meallan trail is a short loop up through birch and bracken to a viewpoint and a memorial to the foresters who have worked to restore the pinewood. It looks along Loch Affric to Sgùrr na Lapaich and the high peaks beyond its western end.

It is 1.5 km with 60 m of ascent; allow about ½ hour. The grade is Easy: short, but rocky in places, with uneven steps.

Forestry and Land Scotland grades both trails moderate: uneven gravel paths with exposed roots, steep slopes and rocky steps, and an optional rough, narrow section by the river. Red deer are easiest to see in the glen in autumn and winter, and golden eagles hunt over the hills.

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.