ACTIVE OUTDOORS: New high-level route at Abriachan forest opens up options along Great Glen Way

By John Davidson

Published: 18:30, 15 April 2024

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Taking a rest on a boulder on the way down.

The Great Glen Way has come a long way in the last 10 years, with new high-level routes between Fort Augustus and Invermoriston and between there and Drumnadrochit.

It was 2014 when outdoors author and broadcaster Cameron McNeish officially unveiled those new routes, which incorporated specially commissioned artworks along the route that enhanced the experience of those using the trails.

That signalled a change in direction for the long-distance route that connects Fort William and Inverness via a 73-mile trail. It had previously been criticised for its reliance on existing forestry tracks that meant visitors were denied views of the very things they had come to see, such as Loch Ness.

It’s not cheap putting in brand new paths, but the investment was well worth it, not just in terms of encouraging more tourism but also giving local communities some superb opportunities to get active in their area.

There are now some of the most spectacular views of the loch from the trail, making it a better experience all round.

Fast forward to 2024 and a new high-level section of the Great Glen Way has just been signposted, this time using existing paths that offer more reward at a relatively minimal cost.

On top of Carn na Leitire on the Great Glen Way.

Working with the Abriachan Forest Trust (AFT), the Great Glen Way now offers two options within the community-owned land south of Inverness, one sticking to the forest tracks and the new route going over the top of the hill.

I know both ways pretty well, but I went to check out the newly signed route to see how it was looking. Taking along Jennifer and Matthew, my two youngest, we started from the AFT car park, and decided to tackle the less interesting option of the forest tracks first.

It also meant that I could promise them some play time at the Ark treehouse at the end of the walk, rather than before we’d really got going.

Heading gently uphill at first, the track forks, with the GGW keeping left of the parking for the blue and red graded bike trails. Further up, the track goes left at a sign for the Great Glen Way, past a gate and more steeply up to reach an information panel about the forestry work here.

It continues around the hill, climbing steeply again to pass what was once the high point of the whole route, before finally starting to descend. Ignore signs off to the left for now, and continue towards Drumnadrochit on the main track.

As far as forestry track walks go, this is one of the more interesting now, with plenty of open areas and new life emerging – you’re not stuck in a dense plantation.

At a sharp right-hand bend, the map panel at the junction of the low-level and high-level routes is clear to see, alongside an even larger panel showing the trails across the community woodland.

The children were delighted to have found this checkpoint on the route, and spent time looking at the maps and working out where to go.

For those doing the GGW in one direction, the hill route adds 1.2km and around 100m of ascent onto your journey, but is definitely recommended unless the weather is really bad – it can be quite exposed on top.

The children find the first Great Glen Way sign.

We headed left to follow the high-level route, which initially takes an older track that has narrowed over time as nature has started to take back control. Some sections of the path have been upgraded and the whole trail is in excellent condition despite the best efforts of the weather!

Before the real climb starts, you head along a fairly level route, eventually passing a junction that leads to the whisky still. Ignore the sign pointing that way and continue a little further until the blue GGW marker post directs you left onto a narrow path leading up through some young trees and heather.

Bear left where another path merges with the route and keep climbing up to a junction beside some tall wooden poles. Go right here to start the ascent of Carn na Leitire, zigzagging up on a trail that the children loved exploring. Matthew was even running up when he realised we were not far from the top.

Before long the summit cairn comes into view and we reached the 434m top of the hill, where we sheltered to have a bite to eat and take in the panoramic views as a rainbow briefly appeared.

Jennifer at the new Great Glen Way map board.

After taking the long way to the top, it was a fairly short route down, following the good hilltop path west-southwest to a junction close to a carved bench. Turn right here and follow the clear route down through the wood.

The path is uneven and quite steep in places, but there are a few more rest spots on the way.

The GGW is clearly marked with its bright new posts, and we turned right at the roundhouse, which Matthew remembered from when he’d stopped to explore here during a go on the green mountain bike trail last time we were at Abriachan.

He was getting tired now, but then he caught sight of the treehouse which has a secret tunnel to play in – if you’re small enough! It made all the effort of this great circuit worthwhile as he and Jennifer played for a while before we headed the short distance back to the car.

This extra official addition to the Great Glen Way offers trail users a great choice and another fantastic high-level option which really adds to the attraction of the overall route.

• Please note the high-level route between Fort Augustus and Invermoriston is currently closed until June 2024 - see here for more details.