Gravel Cycling
Loch Ness South Shore Forest Route
The quieter south side of Loch Ness, from Fort Augustus to Dores
Quick facts
- Distance
- Not published
- Ascent
- Not published
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Route type
- Linear
- Archetype
- Forest Circuit
- Region
- Great Glen
- Start point
- Fort Augustus
- Grid ref
- NH 379 089
- Parking
- PH32 4BH
- Midges
- High
- Dogs
- On lead only
Surface breakdown
- Forest track70%
- Tarmac single-track20%
- Double-track10%
About this route
The A82 on the north side of Loch Ness carries heavy traffic. The south side is quieter: from Fort Augustus the B862 climbs inland to Whitebridge, the B852 runs along the loch past Foyers and Inverfarigaig, and the two meet again towards Dores at the northern end of the loch. Forest tracks on the slopes above give gravel options off the road.
This page has not been traced, so it publishes no distance or ascent and no single line through the forest. Use the B862 and B852 as the backbone, add forest tracks where your map shows them, and plan your own return — Dores is about 12.6 km from Inverness in a straight line.
Highlights
- Falls of Foyers — the lower fall drops about 30 m into a wooded gorge (44 m in total); lock the bike and walk down
- Views across Loch Ness from the south side
- Dores, at the northern end of Loch Ness
Key waypoints
- 1. Fort Augustus
- 2. Whitebridge
- 3. Foyers
- 4. Falls of Foyers
- 5. Inverfarigaig
- 6. Dores
Route notes
Not a traced route. The south side is not one continuous signed cycle route: link the B862, B852 and forest tracks yourself on OS Explorer 415/416. Forest roads are shared with timber lorries. Plan your return before you set off.
Seasonal conditions
Midges can be bad in sheltered forest in summer; a breeze off the loch helps. Autumn colour in the mixed woodland is a highlight.
Key hazards
- Timber lorries have priority on forest roads — pull off completely when one approaches
- The Falls of Foyers path is stepped and wet — walk it, do not ride it
- Limited phone signal in places between Fort Augustus and Foyers
Water sources on route
- Villages along the way — carry enough between Fort Augustus and Foyers
Always filter or treat water from natural sources. Carry at least 1L reserve on remote sections.
OS map sheets
Nearest hill
Carn a' Chuilinn
817m · central-highlands
View hill
Nearest bothy
Luib Chonnal
Walk-in not published · glen-coe-lochaber
View bothy
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 07:42
- Sunset
- 16:22
- Civil dawn
- 07:00
- Civil dusk
- 17:05
NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 November 2026
Common questions
- How long is the route?
- This page does not publish a distance, because the forest line has not been traced. Measure your own route between Fort Augustus and Dores before you go.
- Can I ride on the forest tracks?
- Scottish access rights cover responsible cycling on forest roads, but the south side is not one signed cycle route. Give way to timber lorries and follow any Forestry and Land Scotland diversion signs.
- How far is Dores from Inverness?
- About 12.6 km in a straight line, to the south-west of the city; the road distance is longer.
- Is the Falls of Foyers worth the stop?
- Yes. The lower fall drops about 30 m into a wooded gorge, 44 m in total. The path is stepped and wet, so lock the bike and walk.
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