(070) Glen Affric-Dog Falls-Coire Loch Circuit (Highland)

Route Summary
A fairly short walk in pine forest at beautiful Glen Affric. The 238m overall ascent on the route is compensated for by the scenic attractions of the fast-running River Affric, the peaceful Coire Loch, and the fabulous view westwards up the Glen from the highest point reached.

Duration: 2.5 hours.

Route Overview
Duration: 2.5 hours.
Transport/Parking: No public transport services nearby. Car park at the Dog Falls picnic area where the walk starts/ends. Forestry Commission charges apply (e.g. £2 per day).
Length: 6.130 km / 3.83 mi.
Height Gain: 238 meter.
Height Loss: 238 meter.
Max Height: 313 meter.
Min Height: 182 meter.
Surface: Moderate. Good forest roads and well-maintained paths.
Child Friendly: Yes, if children are used to walks of this distance and overall ascent.
Difficulty: Medium.
Dog Friendly: Yes, on lead on public roads and in the Dog Falls car-park.
Refreshments: Try the Bog Cotton Cafe or Slaters Arms pub in Cannich. Alternatively, there are options in Beauly.

Description
This pine forest walk in Glen Affric combines three of the way-marked Forestry Commission routes at the Dog Falls car-park and picnic area 4 miles west of Cannich. Often described as the most beautiful glen in Scotland, Glen Affric contains the third largest area of ancient Caledonian pinewoods in Scotland and is surrounded by moorland and high mountains. The area holds various important reserve and conservation designations and is an understandably popular destination for hikers, climbers and mountain bikers. Water plays a big part in the environment here, too. In addition to the River Affric there are many lochs (and little lochans), most notably Loch Beinn a’ Mheadhoin and Loch Affric. To take advantage of all that water, the Affric-Beauly hydro-electric power scheme is based around Glen Strathfarrar, Glen Cannich and Glen Affric. Walking alongside the Glen Affric river, tumbling over rocks with mature woodland on either side, makes for a very scenic start to the walk, where the route also visits the viewpoint for the impressive Dog Falls gorge. Heading away from the river into the forest, the route then passes Coire Loch, a beautiful little highland lochan where rare dragon-flies and damsel-flies may be spotted. The principal focal point on the route, at the highest point, is the Glen Affric viewpoint where there is an information board identifying the breath-taking array of hills you can see in front of you, above Loch Beinn a’ Mheadhoin and Loch Affric. For more information, see:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glen_Affric
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affric-Beauly_hydro-electric_power_scheme
https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/glen-affric