Coire Loch Walk

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About Coire Loch Walk

Coire Loch Walk is a circular walk on winding, narrow trails and forest road through the heart of the Caledonian pinewoods. It passes Dog Falls and a beautiful woodland lochan, Coire Loch.

This is a lovely walk with lots to see - magnificent pines and many other trees, pinewood flowers, stunning views and wildlife. Although the animals are very elusive, this is an excellent walk for pinewood birds.

Coire Loch is an important breeding site for many species of dragonfly in Glen Affric - look out for them on warm summer days.

There are also information panels along the route describing some of the wildlife that is difficult to see.

There are a couple of road crossing on this walk so please take care!

For full details of the glen see our main Glen Affric pages.

How to get there:

Coire Loch Walk can be started from Dog Falls Carpark in Glen Affric. Cannich, Tomich, Struy, Beauly, Balnain, Drumnadrochit, and Inverness are the nearest towns or villages.

From either Beauly or Drumnadrochit, take the A831 to Cannich, then the unclassified road through Cannich which is signposted Glen Affric.

After two miles, at the Fasnakyle power station, turn right up to Glen Affric. Dog Falls car park is a further two and a half miles along.

OS Grid Reference: NH 284 284
For details of public transport visit http://www.travelinescotland.com

Wildlife

Mammals: Animals are not easily seen, but look out for deer in the winter and signs of otters, pine marten and foxes - their droppings along the tracks!
Not many see the mice and voles, but occasional circling buzzards can spot them. We have information about Red squirrel, Red deer, Roe deer, Badger and Otter

Birds: This is an excellent walk for spotting pinewood and other birds. Look out for Scottish crossbills, dippers, and grey wagtail on the river, redstarts, tree pipits, willow and wood warblers in the summer, as well as crossbills, many tits, chaffinches, wrens etc. We have information about Capercaille

Insects and reptiles: Coire Loch is a breeding site for 14 different species of dragonfly. Four-spot chasers emerald dragonflies, hawkers and darters are easliy seen. The rare azure hawker, brillant emerald white faced darter also breed here. We have information about Adder and Pearl-bordered fritillary

Habitats: This is a walk where you can see pristine ancient Caledonian pinewoods. Take some time to marvel in their beauty. We have information about Pinewood and Upland bog