Loch Affric loop
Length
17.6 Kms
Elevation gain
345.1 m
Max elevation
322.1 m
Difficulty
****
Rating
*****
Type
Loop
Route id
574
Main road
0 Kms
Country road
0 Kms
Dirt road
8.7 Kms
Dirt path
0 Kms
Trail
8.9 Kms
0
Route summary
The Loch Affric loop route is a trail and forest road run within North & Grampian. The loop covers a distance of 17.58 Kms ( 10.92 miles )
and has an elevation gain of 345 m ( 1132 feet )
.
Description
A tremendous running route around Loch Affric in one of Scotland's most beautiful areas. The first half of the route on the north side of Loch Affric offers some technical running while the second half is on well made.
On leaving the car park the forest road takes you alongside the river towards the Affric lodge. This is a nice easy part of around
1.6 Kms
which ends when you arrive at one of the gates to the lodge grounds. A signpost points the way to the trail style path that goes around the lodge grounds before bringing you back onto the main path. From here the best of the route awaits including the chance to catch sight of golden eagles.
The north side route seems to contain every variety of trail and you have a few small fords to cross so expect to get wet feets. Parts can be slippy and difficult to run so extra care is required. This section has most of the elevation of the route as well. However, this is a really wonderful area to be in and it can at times take your breath away just by it's beauty.
At 30 away.
8.9 Kms
you arrive at the main Affric-Kintail trail and from here the path starts to improve in quality. A small bridge takes you over the river and you get to enjoy a whole new perspective of the wonderful views. There is a large ford just after the river crossing but a small footbridge is available to the left of the ford, about
After
10 Kms
we start to climb again although there are some short downhills along the way. You will soon reach the fork in the trail where a left takes you downhill and across the bridge back to the car park.
Route directions
Kms
1
From the car park head towards the main road
0
2
Turn left going down the dirt road with the river to your left
0
3
At the Affric Lodge gate take the signposted path on the right
1.6
4
On reaching the main path turn right away from the lodge
2
5
On meeting the Affric-Kintail trail turn left
8.9
6
Take the small path on the left to cross the stream using the small bridge
9.6
7
Keep left on the Affric-Kintail trail
10.3
8
Take the path on the left towards the car park
17.1
9
Over the bridge
17.4
10
And back at the car park
17.6
Car park area
Loch Affric car park
Car park area
Start of the forest road towards Affric lodge
Path around the lodge
Strat of the trail path
Path around the lodge
Image from Loch Affric loop
Path around the lodge
Looking back at Affric lodge
Start of the climb
Good quality surface at this point
Start of the climb
Image from Loch Affric loop
Further along
Further along
Image from Loch Affric loop
Further along
Image from Loch Affric loop
Puddle road
Wet feet
Waterfall view
Keep on the lookout for eagles
Waterfall view
Image from Loch Affric loop
Waterfall view
Image from Loch Affric loop
Waterfall view
Image from Loch Affric loop
Waterfall view
The deepest of the fords to cross
Waterfall view
Image from Loch Affric loop
Waterfall view
Image from Loch Affric loop
Top of the loch
Looking back
Top of the loch
Image from Loch Affric loop
Top of the loch
Image from Loch Affric loop
Top of the loch
Image from Loch Affric loop
Top of the loch
From the bridge
Junction
Affric-Kintail signpost
South side
Loch Affric to the left
South side
Image from Loch Affric loop
Stone seat
Perhaps too cold to sit on
Final section
Just before turn off to the bridge