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ACTIVE OUTDOORS: Family fun on a windy walk on Abriachan Forest trails





On the path across the plateau.
On the path across the plateau.

Once upon a time it was a bit of a struggle to get the children up to the top of the hill when we visited the community forest at Abriachan.

For a start, they make a beeline for the park as soon as the car door is open. Then there’s the thought of dad insisting they “go for a walk” again! Plus, to be fair, it can be quite exposed to the elements up on the top of the 434m Carn na Leitire.

But with the promise of more play time afterwards, they all seemed to accept the inevitable as we set off along the paths from the back end of the car park.

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The route we usually take goes down towards the Ark, another little play spot with a not-so-secret tunnel that makes for great entertainment. We stopped and sheltered inside from the wind for a bite to eat before we made our way onwards, up to the rebuilt round house.

The round house on the way to the trail.
The round house on the way to the trail.

A left turn here leads to a fork, where you keep left to start the climb. We thought our youngest might struggle but he was marching up the steep sections through the pine forest and out onto the more open hillside.

A well-made path, uneven with rocks and roots, leads all the way to the top, so it’s easy to follow. After a bit more clambering, we made it to the bench, where a lichen-covered sign points left to Carn na Leitire and Balchraggan.

We were about to suggest a little break but little Matthew and Jennifer were already off, running along the path that soon rises up to the open moor. I figured I’d better follow them!

It wasn’t too bad on the way to the summit cairn, as the wind was blowing us along from behind – but I was conscious of the battle to get back against an increasingly strong wind.

Sheltering from the wind at the top of Carn na Leitire.
Sheltering from the wind at the top of Carn na Leitire.

The path dips and rises across the top – leading to many questions about whether we were at the top yet – and it wasn’t long at all before we reached the large cairn. It must have been a record time for a walk up here with the children.

They sheltered behind the cairn as we watched a faint rainbow come and go over the Great Glen, then after a snack we decided it was time to face that return journey.

Still, they seemed to be on form today, with little complaining about the weather. However, I decided to take an alternative route back that might keep us out of the wind for at least some of the way.

Heading back the same way, there’s a little path leading off to the left a few hundred metres back from the summit, as the main path bends right. We headed down here, soon passing alongside a plantation forest to our right.

A newly surfaced path makes for easy going on the peat path.
A newly surfaced path makes for easy going on the peat path.

The path here needed a bit of care, though, as there were little stumps of thinned trees left hidden under the long grass – the perfect tripping hazard for little legs.

As we reached the old “peat path” at the bottom, it was a nice surprise to see it had been recently upgraded to a high-quality whin dust surface. This made for easier and slightly less muddy going!

The path leads on to merge into a forestry track to a sharp left-hand bend. The route back to the car park is signed right from here, back up to the bench and signpost, but we followed the track to the left to reach a T-junction with another track.

Going right here takes you back to the car park on the Great Glen Way, without any need for more climbing.

We’d almost made it back when Matthew realised that he was actually tired – but after some gentle persuasion (in the form of a couple of biscuits) he managed the last little stretch back to the Abriachan Forest car park.

Not surprisingly, he forgot all about being tired when he saw the play park again!

Carn na Leitire is signed from the bench.
Carn na Leitire is signed from the bench.

Route details

Abriachan – Carn na Leitire

Distance 3 miles / 5km

Terrain Forest and hill paths

Start/finish Abriachan Forest Trust car park

Map OS Landranger 26; OS Explorer 416 & 431

A windy walk to a straightforward summit makes a great family outing

Looking at the view from the summit cairn.
Looking at the view from the summit cairn.


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