Abriachan forest trails and Càrn na Leitire

From the Abriachan Forest car park west of Loch Laide, a path leads past the thatched toilets to a junction of boardwalks and on to a wildlife hide over Loch Laide. Back at the junction, the way passes a reconstructed Bronze Age hut and climbs through young woodland, with views north to Ben Wyvis. At a signed junction the path heads out across the moor to the cairn on Càrn na Leitire (434 m), a fine viewpoint over the Great Glen. It then descends east to the Peat Path and a forest track, which loops back west through the pines and joins the Great Glen Way track to the car park.

It is 8.5 km with 242 m of ascent; allow about 2¾ hours. The grade is Easy: good paths and tracks, with a steady climb onto the moor.

The forest and moor were bought by the Abriachan Forest Community Trust in 1998, and its paths are well made and signed. Whooper swans may be seen on Loch Laide. A reconstructed shieling and an illicit whisky still stand near the route, signed off the tracks.

The car park is free and has toilets. There is no public transport to the start. The nearest station is Beauly, about 11 km away.

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.