Glen Affric & Kintail Way

Programme

Day 1: Arrival in Drumnadrochit

Individual arrival in Drumnadrochit (transfer from Edinburgh/Glasgow as optional add-on). The charming village on the shores of Loch Ness, Scotland’s most famous loch, offers a variety of cosy whisky pubs and restaurants as well as the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition, a five-star visitor attraction. Take a walk to the ruins of Urquhart Castle and stock up on supplies at the local store. Accommodation: Hostel in Drumnadrochit

Day 2: Drumnadrochit to Cannich

Start you first day with a walk up to the ruins of a Pictish stronghold and enjoy the views over Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness. Above Glen Urquhart follow the path through Craigmonie woods before continuing on forestry and farm tracks to the hamlet of Shenval. There is a chance to detour to the impressive Corrimony chambered cairn before a long stretch along a busy road and the descent into Cannich with shop, a campsite, café and pub. Walk: 13.25 miles, Time: 5.5-6.5 hrs, Elevation: 547 m, Accommodation: B&B in Cannich

Day 3: Cannich – Glen Affric Car Park

With every step the countryside gets more spectacular. Today you will leave Cannich and head into Glen Affric. The valley with its varied landscape isn’t only picturesque and used in many photo books but is also a success story for the rewilding efforts in the Scottish Highlands. Glen Affric contains one of the largest remnants of the Caledonian Forest. This has been described as ‘the largest extent of least disturbed forest in the country’, and work to help the forest regenerate there has been underway since the 1960s. Over 1.3 million trees have been planted, while large areas of Glen Affric have been restored through natural regeneration. On this part of the walk chances are good of spotting deer, eagles and grouse. A track follows the south side of Loch Beinn a’ Mheadhoin through pine and birchwoods to finish at the car park at the end of the public road up Glen Affric. From here a taxi will take you back to Cannich. Walk: 12 miles, Time: 5.5-6 hrs, Elevation: 598 m, Accommodation: B&B in Cannich

Day 4: Glen Affric road end – Alltbeithe

In the morning the taxi will take you back to the car park to continue your walk. As well as being the third stage of the Affric-Kintail Way, this route is also the easiest (though not the shortest) approach to Alltbeithe (Glen Affric Hostel). There is a track throughout and the forest, loch and glen scenery are wonderful. At the west end of the loch take a break at the beautiful white sandy beach before you reach the former hunting lodge, now Britain’s most remote youth hostel. A wind turbine provides all electricity, enjoy the peace and tranquility in front of the fire. Walk: 8.75 miles, Time: 3.5-5 hrs, Elevation: 250 m, Accommodation: Glen Affric Hostel

Day 5: Alltbeithe – Loch Duich

The final stage of the Affric-Kintail Way is the most mountainous and has a real feeling of remoteness. You follow Fionn Ghleann trough a dramatic valley, passing waterfalls and the lonely Camban Bothy, crossing streams and bogs. Follow the dramatic mountain path above the River Croe and continue down impressive Gleann Lichd to reach journey’s end at the foot of the Five Sisters of Kintail mountain range – a stone’s throw from the west coast at Loch Duich. Here the Kintail Lodge Hotel awaits with you with a cool pint. Walk: 10 miles, Time: 4.5-5 hrs, Elevation: 272 m, Accommodation: Ratagan Hostel in Kintail

Additional Day (optional add-on): Kintail mountains

As a fitting end to a fantastic trek, you can climb Scurr an Aigid today. It may seem like the lowly neighbour amongst the peaks of Kintail, but don’t be mistaken. Despite its lower height, it offers a relatively straightforward hillwalk revealing some of the area’s most magnificent views. Over to the west you can see the Bay of Kyle with the Isle of Skye and the Cuillin mountains in the background. To the east the dramatic mountains of the Five Sisters dominate the landscape. Alternatively, you can spend the day visiting Eilean Donan Castle or the Isle of Skye. Walk: 6.5 miles, Time: 4.5-6 hrs, Elevation: 932 m, Accommodation: Ratagan Hostel in Kintail

Day 6: Return to Drumnadrochit

Today you take the bus back to Drumnadrochit (alternatively Fort William or Inverness) where your tour ends. Individual departure. 

Services

Tour includes

• 3 overnight stays in hostels/huts (shared room and facilities)
• 2 overnight stays in 3-4* B&B accommodation including breakfast
• taxi transfer Loch Affric – Cannich und Cannich – Loch Affric
• bus transfers Kintail bis Drumnadrochit
• Comprehensive info pack including leisure and restaurant recommendations
• Glen Affric & Kintail Way hiking map
• 24/7 emergency hotline

Not included

• flight
• airport transfer
• meals (apart from brekfast in Cannich)

Optional add-ons

• £79 pp transfer to and from Edinburgh/Glasgow – Drumnadrochit (train/bus)
• £32 pp additional night in Kintail hostel
• £32 pp additional night in Edinburgh/Glasgow hostel

Additional Information

Duration: 6 days
Participants: from 1 pax
Difficulty: Moderate
Start: Drumnadrochit
Finish: Drumnadrochit

When deciding on your travel dates, please bear in mind that we require at least 6 weeks to prepare. Every trip is meticulously planned and organised, and the information pack is compiled with great care and attention. We also have to allow time for the information pack to be delivered (postal delivery can take on average 4 weeks in Europe). If you do want to travel at short notice, please contact us by email. Thank you for your cooperation!

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