Walk: Abriachan adventure

Highland | Loch Ness | Half day walk | ★★★

[This treehouse is just one of several large structures built by the trust]

The scattered rural community of Abriachan occupies a minor hanging valley above the west bank of Loch Ness, and it's home to something pretty amazing. The Abriachan Forest Trust - a local community enterprise - has developed a very extensive network of trails, outdoor activities and structures including treehouses, Bronze Age hut and hillside shieling; we were very impressed indeed, and we're sure it will charm children and adults alike. Paths also climb to the top of the local hill - Carn na Leitire - for panoramic views across the Great Glen region. The series of reconstructed buildings ends after a steep detour to a reconstructed "illicit" whisky still, before the excitement level is dialled down a notch (or ten) for the rather monotonous return along forest tracks.

[Sculpture on Carn na Leitire]

đź“Ś Walk: Abriachan adventure ★★★
Start / finish at Abriachan Trust main car park, minor road half a mile west of Abriachan, G.R.: NH 540353 ///caves.flinches.educated

▶ 9 km / 6 mi | ▲ 260 m | ⌚ Half a day | ⬤ Moderate
Features: Abriachan Forest Trust various sculptures / buildings; Loch Laide; △ Carn na Leitire (434 m)
Terrain: Clear paths (with steepish ascent to summit) and lengthy track return. Some complicated route finding due to density of path network - map advised.

Route & map

Car park & playground - pond - miniature treehouse - Loch Laide hide - large treehouse - Bronze Age hut - Carn na Leitire - shieling - whisky still - start

Route credit: Abriachan Forest Trust
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On our visit

Wildlife: Little grebes on Loch Laide, small birds in the woods.
Weather: Cloudy with sunny spells, moderate wind on the summit, temperature in mid teens.

Chronological photo guide

[Adventure playground]

[Pond]

[Miniature treehouse]

[Outdoor activities]

[Loch Laide hide]

[Carn na Leitire from the hide]

[Forest boardwalk]

[Large treehouse]

[Bronze Age hut]

[Ascent to Carn na Leitire]

[Summit sculpture]

[Summit views]

[Summit cairn with Loch Ness poking out on the right]

[Shieling]

[Shieling]

[Whisky still]

[Track for the return]

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