Long distance
Affric Kintail Way
Connects Loch Ness to the west coast through Glen Affric, widely considered the most beautiful glen in Scotland. Remote, wild and deeply rewarding.
Quick facts
- Distance
- 72 km/ 44 mi
- Typical days
- 4
- Total ascent
- 1800 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Start → Finish
- Drumnadrochit → Morvich
- Best direction
- East to West
✔ Waymarked throughout
Our take
This is the route that experienced hillwalkers whisper about. Glen Affric is staggeringly beautiful — old Caledonian pine forest, lochs reflecting the sky, and a genuine sense of remoteness that the West Highland Way lost decades ago. The middle section has no road access and minimal phone signal. You carry everything or use the basic bothies. Not for beginners.
Highlights
- Glen Affric — ancient Caledonian pine forest
- Loch Affric and Loch Beinn a Mheadhoin
- Alltbeithe youth hostel — one of the remotest in Scotland
- Descent to the west coast at Morvich
Day-by-day itinerary
A suggested 4-day schedule. Adjust to your fitness and conditions.
1Drumnadrochit to Cannich22km · 400m ascent
From Loch Ness-side through forest and farmland to Cannich, the last village before the wild heart of Glen Affric.
- Terrain
- Forest tracks, farm paths, quiet lanes. Moderate gradients.
- Overnight
- Cannich has B&Bs, the Slaters Arms pub, and a campsite. Last resupply point.
- Stats
- Drumnadrochit → Cannich · 22km · ↑400m
2Cannich to Alltbeithe20km · 500m ascent
Into Glen Affric through ancient Caledonian pine forest past Loch Affric to the remote Alltbeithe hostel. Staggeringly beautiful.
- Terrain
- Glen paths, rough tracks, some boggy sections. No road access.
- Overnight
- Alltbeithe SYHA — one of Scotland's most remote hostels. Wild camping by the loch.
- Stats
- Cannich → Alltbeithe · 20km · ↑500m
3Alltbeithe to Camban14km · 500m ascent
Over the high pass between Glen Affric and Glen Lichd. The most demanding section with the finest mountain views on the route.
- Terrain
- Mountain pass, rough paths, river crossings. Exposed and remote.
- Overnight
- Camban bothy or wild camping. No other options in this remote section.
- Stats
- Alltbeithe → Camban · 14km · ↑500m
4Camban to Morvich16km · 400m ascent
Descent through Glen Lichd with the Five Sisters of Kintail towering above to the west coast at Morvich near Loch Duich.
- Terrain
- Glen path, descent through forest, final approach on good tracks.
- Overnight
- Morvich has a caravan park. Shiel Bridge and Ratagan have B&Bs and a SYHA hostel.
- Stats
- Camban → Morvich · 16km · ↑400m
Best months
Accommodation
Very limited. Cannich has B&Bs. Alltbeithe SYHA hostel is basic (no road access). Wild camping is the norm for the middle section.
Resupply
Carry all food from Drumnadrochit or Cannich. No shops between Cannich and Morvich (3 days). Plan carefully.
Current conditions
Weather at the start point (Drumnadrochit)
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:27
- Sunset
- 21:03
- Civil dawn
- 04:39
- Civil dusk
- 21:51
NOAA Solar Calculator · 2 May 2026
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