Escaping the material world on trails at Abriachan forest
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It’s not every day you see Madonna in a forest in the Highlands. I thought I was seeing things at first, but as I was getting into my stride there was a whole line-up of Madonnas across the track.
Just as I approached, they were suddenly off. I recognised some of the runners, so I stopped for a chat with one of the organisers and learned that this was a Highland Hill Runners event – Madonna themed of course – taking place legitimately under the outdoor field of play restrictions.
I caught up with the back of the field as we followed the Great Glen Way from the Abriachan Forest Trust car park in the hills above Loch Ness. This stretch leads to the highest point on the Great Glen Way, so there’s a bit of a climb for a mile or so before the gradient eases.
Patchy snow and slush meant we had to concentrate even on the easy surface, while our feet were sodden and chilly in no time. Still, it was a joy to be out on the trails again and the weather was vastly improved from the previous few days of persistent heavy rain.
Just as I felt I was catching up with another of the hill runners, I saw them divert left off the Great Glen Way. I was planning to continue a little further on the route, so made sure the lot behind knew not to follow me then went on my way towards Corryfoyness.
I wanted to run this part of the route, as it passes through a stunning stretch of countryside as you go through a gate out of the community woodland and towards Drumnadrochit. A thin layer of cloud hovered over Loch Ness in the glen below as I made my way in that direction, wondering if restrictions next year will allow events such as the Loch Ness 360 Challenge to go ahead.
An old farm building off to the left marks my departure from the Great Glen Way, and I looked out for the track that heads off left to reach it. This is Corryfoyness, and the track goes as far as the buildings, which you head to the right-hand side of before following a soggy grass path up beside a wall.
After the last few days of rain, it was particularly bad underfoot but as I had wet feet anyway I wasn’t too concerned!
The path climbs over a little rise and then, as I reached the top, the most spectacular view opened up below me. The sun had come out, bathing the autumnal shades of the hillsides in that wonderful light that we enjoy at this time of year. The northern end of Loch Ness was visible ahead and the path led into an area of pretty birch woodland below.
I was glad I wasn’t part of any race today and could fully appreciate this moment.
Dropping down through the woods I soon came to a burn that was in spate. It would have been crossable with care but thanks to a short plank across the water and the help of a few branches on a nearby tree I didn’t have to worry about that.
Immediately after that crossing I passed a gate then turned left at a sign pointing back to the Great Glen Way. This is one of my favourite paths in the Abriachan network, as it climbs steadily on a soft surface of pine needles alongside a babbling brook.
In the past this wouldn’t have been such a clear route, as beside the burn is an illicit whisky still, where locals once distilled their own spirit against the laws of the land – and out of reach of the taxman. The spot is marked by a little shelter built into the hillside today and it’s a great place to hide from inclement weather or just to enjoy a picnic.
I continued up the path to reach the track at the top, turning right towards the ‘peat path’ to enjoy some easier running for a while.
Ignoring an unmarked path after a few hundred metres, I continued to the next turning where the route was marked left. This path climbs on a boggy surface to reach a reconstructed sheiling overlooking Loch Ness.
It’s tough running but the path soon levels and is even upgraded to an excellent surface for a way, as you continue to follow signs now for Carn na Leitire, the high point of the network of paths in the area.
Before long I was on the last climb to the summit, which offers a panoramic view that I never tire of. After taking a breather at the cairn, I headed down, taking the other path from the top which winds across the moor before dropping down to near a bench.
I went right here and followed the path down, steeply in places, enjoying the freedom of the trails and negotiating the rocky steps here and there.
At a junction, I went right to pass the newly rebuilt roundhouse – a replacement after the previous incarnation was hit by fire in the summer. It’s great to see this feature back at Abriachan after some excellent fundraising work.
Reaching the tree house, I went right to go round the back of it before turning left to return to the car park.
Route details
Great Glen Way and Carn na Leitire
Distance 6 miles / 10km
Terrain Tracks and paths, boggy and snow in places
Start/finish Abriachan Forest Trust car park
Maps OS Landranger 26 / Abriachan Trailmap
A taste of the trails on a pleasant run through community woodland with some nice surprises
