Great Glen Way Fort Augustus - Invermoriston but no Nessie

Whilst I was in the area it was an opportunity to complete another section of the Great Glen Way. Time was not fully on my side so the short section from Fort Augustus to Invermoriston via the high route was today’s walk.

The car park at Fort Augustus was almost full with plenty of tourist coaches around. They were to create bedlam later, blocking cars from leaving, police called so be aware which section you park in. The charge is 60p (4 hours)-£1(10 hours) but there is also a free car park up the hill at the start of the route.
Weather was grey but dry so we turned left out of the car park then soon another left and followed the sign up the hill. This excellent seat is a maybe for walkers coming the other direction but too early for us today.

Take a short walk through here on a tarmac road via some nice housing and just before this rejoins the main route another signposted left turn takes you into an old forest. The track winds its way upwards on a zig zag easy trail past some magnificent huge fir trees amongst others.

On a flat section the bench is reached where an opening should let you see the signposted Crannog. Well maybe in the past you could but now the trees have grown too tall, even standing on the bench no view of the Crannog.

Left for the high route

Avoid the white sign post opposite the bench and go further down the track, 1.5 miles from the start, the track forks giving the option of the high or low routes. 
High route today for the views. Again quickly off the hard packed route the track goes left and for a mile or so steeply zig zags through lighter woods with the pleasant noise of a burn tumbling down for company. Lots of different mushrooms here for those foragers in the know.

The walk breaks out onto open moorland and 5 minutes later the first good views both up and down Loch Ness. Pleasure boats are taking tourists on sedate trips whilst small rib style boats are doing fast tight turns, the squeals can be heard up here. Thankfully this does not last for long.

Looking back down the Glen & Fort Augustus

This recently well constructed high route path continues at this high level for another 3 miles before it starts its descent, plenty of time to take in the outstanding views. 

About half way along a newly built sheltered stone seating area has been constructed, ideal for a break to check the map and identify some landmarks. The radar station ahead is the hill that we will bend around. Had a good look but no sign of Nessie on the water today.

The track is still staying high but the gradient is now more of a descent. Surprisingly little wildlife to be seen, a few meadow pipits and stonechats, a couple of butterflies and that was it. No raptors nor even ravens and crows.

The route now winds its way around the hill and begins a very steep descent through the forest. Less of a zigzag than the ascent this would be a steep pull up. The striking white of Invermoriston lodge can be seen through the trees.

At a marked intersection go across, do not be tempted to stay high, and follow the track through the lower woods. It is slightly disconcerting as for over half a mile it takes you inland away from the loch before reaching a signpost where a right turn leads you to a road. Another right turn and the road takes you back to the striking bridge at Invermoriston.

We took in the short walk to visit the falls before finishing with a visit to the café, just a stroll up the Skye road, for a well deserved coffee and cake.

Probably my favourite section of the walk so far, mainly due to the high level views.
Time: 3.06
Distance: 7.99 (12.86km)
Ascent: 1769ft (539m)