The Falls of Foyers are a must-see on any visit to Loch Ness. Robert Burns, visiting the area on the then newly built military ‘Wade Road’, called the Falls a “horrid cauldron”. Today’s visitors have the benefit of well-made wooden steps and safety railings from which to admire this series of impressive falls, including one drop of over a hundred feet. This lovely circular walk – which includes short sections of the South Loch Ness Trail – takes you through conifer plantations to viewpoints over the Loch and on to the Falls. Although you may not spot Nessie, there’s a better chance of seeing red squirrels en route.
[1] From the Forestry Commission Scotland car park at Inverfarigaig (NH522238) and follow the blue South Loch Ness Trail (SLNT) waymarker steeply up for a short distance, before leaving it by taking a sharp right at a signpost for Loch Ness Viewpoint. After taking in the view, continue along the path up through woods before descending sharply down to the main trail. Turn left, as if going back to the car park, for a short distance before turning right and following the yellow waymarkers.
[2] Follow this wide track up through trees for approximately half a mile. You will come to another great viewpoint overlooking Loch Ness and the massive rock buttress of Dun Dearduil. From here, continue on a short distance and you will come to small, picturesque Lochan Torr an Tuill. Past the lochan, the track meanders slowly downhill for half a mile before emerging at the side of the road through Gleann Liath. At this point, stay on the track-side of the road and head back into the woods on a much narrower and steeper path.
[3] The path makes its way up through trees before emerging into a more open area. Shortly after the path splits: take a left and follow the red waymarkers. The path rises steeply through dense woods before emerging into heather and small trees.
This is the highest point on this walk with views of Loch Ness and the Monadhliath Mountains.
[4] From here, the path descends steeply until you reach a forestry track. At this point, turn right and follow it down past a hydro service tunnel, until you pass the back of a primary school on your right and come out onto the road. Turn left here, at the South Loch Ness Trail (SLNT) waymarker, and walk a short distance uphill to the Waterfall café and shop.
[5] Directly opposite is the gated path down to the Falls of Foyers. There are two viewpoints. After your visit, climb back up to a path junction, signposted for Lower Foyers. Follow this. It meanders along the edge of the gorge before emerging at Foyers Bay Guesthouse. There are some blue markers (not SLNT ones) for guidance.
[6] From the entrance to the guesthouse, turn left and descend to the road. Here, turn left again, past the medical centre and down to where the road splits again. At this point you will see a large stone building: the old aluminium works. Follow the road past this and, immediately after the fish hatchery, look out for a blue waymarker (again, not an SLNT one). Turn right here and then, at the first bend, turn left and follow the track uphill to the road.
[7] At the road, turn left for a short distance past the Foyers Lodge. Immediately after the lodge, take the path to the left, marked ‘Inverfarigaig’, and descend through mixed woodland to a single-track road. Turn right here and walk up past the electrical substation. Just past here, turn left onto a path that descends gradually, almost to loch-level, before emerging beyond a house on the right.
A short distance past the house there is a small track down to the shore of the loch with a seat.
Back on the path – now a rough track – you pass a few more houses before coming out at Inverfarigaig Pier. From the pier, head up the tarred track to join the B852. At the road, turn left and then first right, marked ‘Errogie’, to return to the car park.