Geo-Trips :: The circuit of Loch Affric

Glen Affric, Highlands

A walk from River Affric Car Park, Glen Affric, Fri, 25 May 2018 by Julian Paren

The walk around Loch Affric passes through Scots Pine woodland and open moorland with fine views of the neighbouring mountains and Loch Affric. Glen Affric is considered one of Scotland's finest glens and in reaching the River Affric car park at the end of the public road to start the walk you will have passed through delightful woodland and loch scenery.

The circuit of Loch Affric is around 18 km and taken leisurely in good weather could take 7 hours.

According to Wikipedia

Loch Affric is one of two large lochs within Glen Affric, further up the glen to the southwest of Loch Beinn a' Mheadhoin. The River Affric is the main inflow and outflow for both lochs.

A number of smaller lochs surround Loch Affric. At the southwestern end sits Loch Coulavie located at the base An Tudair Beag and a slightly higher elevation. Also at the south western end, the River Affric flows into the tiny loch of Loch na Camaig. At the north eastern side, Loch Pollan Fearna drains into Loch Affric.

Much of the area around the loch is mountainous. To the north, is Sgùrr na Lapaich (1074 m) and An Tudair (1036 m), outlying Munro Tops of Mam Sodhail. To the south lie the Corbetts of Aonach Shasuinn (888 m) and Carn a' Choire Ghairbh (865 m).

The walk is described on the Walk Highland site

LinkExternal link

My wife and I enjoyed the walk meeting my daughter at the foot of the footpath from Mam Sodhail after she had spent two days Munro climbing with a high level camp by the lochan below the ridge of Sron Garbh.

On the map below, the grey line is the GPS track from this trip. Click the blue circles to see a photograph taken from that spot and read further information about the location. The blue lines indicate the direction of view. There is also a slideshow of this trip. ( )

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NH2023 : Bench beside the River Affric Car Park by Julian Paren
Bench beside the River Affric Car Park
The Forestry Commission charge you to park here but provides good loos and scenic... more

NH1922 : Scots Pine beside the Affric Kintail Way by Julian Paren
Scots Pine beside the Affric Kintail Way
Sgurr na Lapaich in the far distance.

NH1822 : Construction of run-of-water generating facility in Glen Affric by Julian Paren
Construction of run-of-water generating facility in Glen Affric
One of a number of new civil engineering facilities in Glen Affric.

NH1721 : Loch Salach a' Ghiubhais from the Affric Kintail Way by Julian Paren
Loch Salach a' Ghiubhais from the Affric Kintail Way
Moorland with isolated Scots Pines

NH1722 : Sgùrr na Lapaich above the trees by Julian Paren
Sgùrr na Lapaich above the trees
Bog, moorland and trees beside the Affric Kintail Way and Sgùrr na Lapaich... more

NH1621 : Natural woodland above Loch Affric by Julian Paren
Natural woodland above Loch Affric
A colour in the leaves only seen when the leaves are newly formed.

NH1621 : Scots Pine beside the Affric Kintail Way by Julian Paren
Scots Pine beside the Affric Kintail Way

NH1521 : Beside the Affric Kintail Way by Julian Paren
Beside the Affric Kintail Way
Incidentally a location where we stopped for a snack and admired the Scots Pine... more

NH1421 : Jetty and bothy at the head of Loch Affric by Julian Paren
Jetty and bothy at the head of Loch Affric
One new feature in the landscape.

NH1421 : New fishing bothy by Loch Affric by Julian Paren
New fishing bothy by Loch Affric
A jetty is marked on the map originating from before the new building was constructed.

NH1420 : Descending to Athnamulloch on the Affric Kintail Way by Julian Paren
Descending to Athnamulloch on the Affric Kintail Way
The few buildings are beside the river ahead.

NH1320 : Athnamulloch and the footbridge over the Affric by Julian Paren
Athnamulloch and the footbridge over the Affric
Both main buildings are apparently used/owned by mountaineering clubs

NH1220 : Approaching the track junction west of Loch Affric by Julian Paren
Approaching the track junction west of Loch Affric
Ahead lies the route to Kintail, and the incoming path ahead on the right leads to... more

NH1221 : Approaching Loch Coulavie by Julian Paren
Approaching Loch Coulavie
On the footpath around the north side of Loch Affric. An alternative to the Affric... more

NH1321 : Looking west along the path above Loch Coulavie by Julian Paren
Looking west along the path above Loch Coulavie
One prominent boulder beside the path. Mullach Fraoch-choire is the prominent... more

NH1322 : Close to the ford across the Allt Coulavie by Julian Paren
Close to the ford across the Allt Coulavie
Wet feet crossing the ford due to snow melt higher up the mountain. Waterfalls on... more

NH1422 : Scots Pine from a previous generation by Julian Paren
Scots Pine from a previous generation
Part of the natural cycle of woodland.

NH1422 : Trees by Allt Coire Leachavie by Julian Paren
Trees by Allt Coire Leachavie
Pines and birch beside the burn.

NH1522 : Loch Affric from the track along the north of the glen by Julian Paren
Loch Affric from the track along the north of the glen
Trees hug the shore of Loch Affric but give way to moorland above.

NH1622 : Track above northern shore of Loch Affric by Julian Paren
Track above northern shore of Loch Affric
As you head further towards Affric Lodge from the west you encounter more Scots... more

NH1622 : Woodland in Glen Affric by Julian Paren
Woodland in Glen Affric
What a wonderful array of diversity.

NH1723 : Beside the ford that has been recently bridge by Julian Paren
Beside the ford that has been recently bridge
A good place to encourage the dog to drink after a hot day by Loch Affric.

NH1623 : Walking the track on the north slope of Loch Affric by Julian Paren
Walking the track on the north slope of Loch Affric
An open section of moorland.

NH1723 : Two trees - different ages by Julian Paren
Two trees - different ages
From birth to death.

NH1823 : Behind the locked gates to Affric Lodge by Julian Paren
Behind the locked gates to Affric Lodge
Jetty and a house with the Lodge hidden behind the headland.

NH1923 : Road to Affric Lodge by Loch Affric by Julian Paren
Road to Affric Lodge by Loch Affric
Looking west into the sun in the late afternoon.

NH2023 : Beside the River Affric car park by Julian Paren
Beside the River Affric car park
Just a briefest of strolls from the parking area.

All images © Julian Paren and available under a Creative Commons licence external link.

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