Drumnadrochit to Inverness
1 NH507299 Leave Drumnadrochit via the A82 heading in the direction of Inverness. Follow the road round passing the Loch Ness Monster Exhibition centre on the left hand-side. Keep to the left and follow the road eastwards along Loch Ness. Turn left up a signed track opposite Temple Pier. Take the steps up to the left, go through a gate and follow the path around the back of a house. After a section above the road, head through another gate and then uphill and then through two more gates before entering woodland. Continue across a grassy slope where views of Urquhart Castle are visible. A gate now leads into dense forest, follow the path uphill and over a bridge before a sharp left and right and steady climb uphill eventually joining a forest track.
2 NH541310 Turn right and follow the track onwards which undulates then later climbs to cross a felled area. Pass through a gate into open moorland as the track drifts away from Loch Ness passing buildings in the distance at Corryfoyness. The track continues to meander until passing through another gate. Continue on the track before a steep descent near Achpopuli and turn right to join another well-defined track which leads past a car park and visitor area. Keep ahead passing Loch Laide on the right before reaching a minor road. 3 NH541356 Cross the road and go through the gate opposite onto a narrow path which meanders and passes a number of signs indicating an eco-café up ahead. Continue on the clear path past the cafe and small campsite crossing farmland, before emerging at a minor road. Turn left and follow the road passing isolated houses at Ladycairn. The road continues crossing some of the wildest terrain on the whole route before an obvious marker leads off the road to the left. Continue ahead on the gritty path which runs parallel to the road and then joins a forest track. Continue following the route markers along the track until a sharp right turn near Blackfold.
4 NH586409 Continue along the track and pass through a kissing gate into an area of tall pine trees. Follow the track through the trees until a junction, turn left to follow the main track. The track continues and undulates slightly to pass Craig Leach through another gate and heads downhill. Continue through more mixed forest on a narrower path beneath power cables, through a metal gate and take the obvious track downhill. Turn right at large pylon clearly indicated by a Great Glen Way marker before
passing through another gate to reach a small reservoir. Cross the bottom of the reservoir. The path bends to the right and emerges onto a track heading downhill. Turn left here to follow the track downhill with good views over the city of Inverness. At the bottom of the hill go through a kissing gate and turn left, then left again to reach the main road.
5 NH636440 Follow the road before turning right into a drive to pass between buildings and a car park, continue straight ahead on the path and head downhill between fields. Follow the path as it curves to the left and then turn right to head down between houses, crossing over a road on the way. After passing swings, the path bears left to reach an underpass, turn right after this to head alongside a golf course and then up on to the Caledonian Canal bank. Turn right along the canal until the swing bridge and turn left. Cross the main road and then turn right to take the tow path up the opposite side of the canal. Fork left down under an underpass, then turn left through another, emerging by a car park, turn right to pass along the far edge and reach the bank of the River Ness.
6 NH657433
Turn left along the river on a tarmac path and cross the white suspension footbridge to reach Ness Islands. Meander through the pleasant islands crossing several bridges until the opposite bank is reached. Turn left to walk alongside the River Ness and follow ‘Ladies Walk’ into Inverness where the final markers take you up steps to reach Inverness Castle at the end of the route.