THE LOWDOWN

Distance: 8.75km/5.5miles

Ascent: 426m/1398ft

Time: 2.5-4 hours

Grading: Enjoyable and not too taxing woodland walk on hill paths and forestry tracks to ancient hill fort with fine views. Couple of stiff ascents, should be fine for anyone with reasonable level of fitness, but likely too much for younger children. Mostly well sign-posted, although some hard to spot or missing. Some overgrown sections, exposed tree roots and rocks which may be slippy especially on descent, very muddy in places, sturdy footwear advised.

Start/finish: Pattack Falls (Druim an Aird) car park off A86 (Grid ref: NN 567903) around 7km west of Laggan.

Map: Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 Landranger Map 35 (Kingussie & Monadhliath Mountains); Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer sheet OL55.

Tourist Information: Visitscotland, Aviemore icentre, 7 The Parade, Grampian Road, Aviemore, PH22 1RH (Tel 01479 810930).

Public transport: None to start.