Craigmonie Trails 

This picturesque circular trail begins dramatically between two giant redwood trees, then climbs steadily to the top of Craigmonie crag, which has a rather sinister history. It is named after a Viking prince who, according to legend, was mortally wounded here 1,000 years ago. More recently, a gibbet stood on this prominent point as a warning to local wrongdoers.

The trail passes through Craigmonie and neighbouring Balmacaan, both woodlands with ancient origins that were planted with soaring specimen trees 200 years ago by the estate owner. The peaceful woods are an excellent place for birdwatching – look and listen for a host of woodland birds, including black caps, redstarts and woodpeckers.

There is no car parking at the start of the woodland trails here. Instead, park in the centre of Drumnadrochit (at the Loch Ness Hub) and follow waymarkers from the village to ‘Craigmonie Woodland Trails’. It’s just a short walk (¼ mile / 500 metres) up to the start.

From the Inn turn right to the main road, head along towards the village green but turn left (before reaching the village) onto Pitkerrald Road for another 200m where the road forks. There will be a map of the Craigmonie trails at the end of this path. 

Queen Mary’s Rock

Queen Mary’s rock is also on the trail as “Craigmonie Trails.” This route enjoys great views towards Loch Ness from the hilltop fort site of Craigmonie.

From the Inn turn right to the main road, head along towards the village green but turn left (before reaching the village) onto Pitkerrald Road for another 200m where the road forks. Take the left-hand lane (signed for Craigmonie Woodland walks). This soon becomes a track, climbing gently uphill with woodland on the right. Ignore a track coming in from the right, keeping straight ahead until the edge of the woods where there are two giant redwood trees. Turn right here, signed for the Affric Kintail Way. Keep right at each of two forks - signed for Milton and Craigmonie walks, waymarked red / green.

Another junction is reached just beyond a bench - take the right-hand fork here onto the surfaced path, which slopes gently downhill. The path undulates through the silver birch trees - the forestry has been removed and native regeneration begun. The path follows the side of Glen Urquhart, giving views of the houses at Easter Milton and Allanmore. You may hear woodpeckers and spot red squirrels; pine martens are rare but also resident in the area. After crossing a small bridge, the path swings left and begins to climb fairly steeply. There's a bench and views just off to the left, overlooking Milton down in the glen. The hamlet of Milton was named after its mills in the 1800s; these produced, amongst other things, the Glen Urquhart black and white check tweed.

Continue uphill, turning left at a path junction, until you eventually reach a crossroads of paths - three well-constructed paths, and one informal one straight ahead. Turn right here (red route), then soon fork left (red waymarker) onto a path that climbs to the top of Craigmonie crag. The crag is now a lovely viewpoint with a seat overlooking Drumnadrochit and Loch Ness. It was once an iron age fort and is named after a viking prince who retreated there after a battle, it was also an old execution site. Retrace your steps back to the Inn.

Urquhart Woods – Leading to the shores of Loch Ness

A short stroll through fine alder woodland managed by the Woodland Trust, feeling a world away from the busy tourist hub of Drumnadrochit. There used to be a footbridge giving access to the shores of Loch Ness, but now this optional extension involves crossing a river - possible only when water levels are low.

From the Loch Ness Inn, head towards the junction on the main road and continue straight ahead down East Lewiston. After following the road for 5 minutes (walking) the road will bend to the left where a carpark is situated for the walk. You will see a small gate on the right-hand side, signed ‘Urquhart Bay Woods’.

This path takes you through the woods alongside the River Enrick. After following the path for 10 minutes you will come to where the River Enrick and River Coilte converge. There is a small rocky beach which is a lovely place to stop. If the water is low you can cross the river and continue on deeper into the woods, which will lead you down to the shores of Loch Ness. Retrace your steps to return back to the Inn.

Divach Falls 

This route enjoys great views towards Loch Ness from the hilltop fort site of Craigmonie and then continues to visit the spectacular Divach Falls.

From the Inn turn right to the main road, head along towards the village green but turn left (before reaching the village) onto Pitkerrald Road for another 200m where the road forks. Take the left hand lane (signed for Craigmonie Woodland walks). This soon becomes a track, climbing gently uphill with woodland on the right. Ignore a track coming in from the right, keeping straight ahead until the edge of the woods where there are two giant redwood trees. Turn right here, signed for the Affric Kintail Way. Keep right at each of two forks - signed for Milton and Craigmonie walks, waymarked red / green.

Another junction is reached just beyond a bench - take the right hand fork here onto the surfaced path, which slopes gently downhill. The path undulates through the silver birch trees - the forestry has been removed and native regeneration begun. The path follows the side of Glen Urquhart, giving views of the houses at Easter Milton and Allanmore. You may hear woodpeckers and spot red squirrels; pine martens are rare but also resident in the area. After crossing a small bridge the path swings left and begins to climb fairly steeply. There's a bench and views just off to the left, overlooking Milton down in the glen. The hamlet of Milton was named after its mills in the 1800s; these produced, amongst other things, the Glen Urquhart black and white check tweed.

Continue uphill, turning left at a path junction, until you eventually reach a crossroads of paths - three well-constructed paths, and one informal one straight ahead. Turn right here (red route), then soon fork left (red waymarker) onto a path that climbs to the top of Craigmonie crag. The crag is now a lovely viewpoint with a seat overlooking Drumnadrochit and Loch Ness. It was once an iron age fort and is named after a viking prince who retreated there after a battle. It was also an old execution site. Continue past the seat and onto an undulating path past huge boulders and scots pine. At a fork keep left, following the red markers, descending to join another path which runs along the inside edge of the woodland.

Bear left, keep the fence and open fields on your right as you continue through the inside edge of the woods. Ignore the red route when it goes off left; at the next junction, the blue route joins in from the left. Continue past an old waterworks. A couple of times the path forks, but the branches rejoin further on - as long as you don't stray too far from the woodland edge over to your right, you will be on track. Eventually a track is reached - go straight across this, continuing along the inside edge of the woods, soon joining white waymarkers. When a fork is reached bear Leave the waymarkers at a fork above a house, and bear right, aiming to the right of the house. Go through a gate, and then left along the track briefly and then right when it meets another track. At another junction, follow the track round to the left to drop down to meet the tarmac minor road. Turn right along the road next to the River Coiltie. Follow this road over a bridge and then zig-zagging steeply uphill. Go right at a junction, with fine views looking out towards Drumnadrochit on the right.

Continue until you reach the small car park for the Falls of Divach. A signed path off to the right descends through the woods to reach a fenced viewpoint for the falls, which are especially impressive after heavy rains swell the 30m cascade. To return, go all the way back along the road, eventually reaching the first houses of Drumnadrochit.

At a junction with the 30mph sign turn right; the road then soon swings left and continues past some attractive cottages in Lewiston. A sign for Drumnadrochit indicates where to turn left onto a track, then take a fenced path on the right. The path turns right and follows the edge of a field back to the main road. At the road turn left and return to the car park.