Skip to main content
Wild About Lochaber

Wild About Lochaber

where great adventures begin...

Search form

Menu

  • Home
  • Explore
    • Wild Lochaber
    • Ardnamurchan, Moidart & Morvern
    • Fort William and Glen Nevis
    • Glencoe and Loch Leven
    • The Road To The Isles
    • #WildLochaber Photo Gallery
  • Accommodation
    • Self Catering
    • Caravan & Campsites
    • Hotels and B&Bs
  • Walking
    • Map of All Walks
    • Ardnamurchan and Moidart
    • Arisaig Mallaig and Glenfinnan
    • Fort William and Glen Nevis
    • Glencoe, Loch Leven & Argyll
  • Wildlife
    • Map of Wildlife Sites
    • Wildlife Experiences
    • Wildlife Habitats
  • Things To Do
    • Activity Providers
    • Beaches
    • Castles
    • Destinations
    • Gardens
    • Geology
    • Geopark Rock Route
    • Historic Attractions
    • Museums and Interpretation
    • Railways
    • Wildlife Experiences
    • Wildlife Hotspots
  • Travel
    • Electric Vehicle Charging Points
    • Ferries
    • Petrol Stations
    • The Caledonian Sleeper
  • What's On
    • Calendar
    • Arts, Culture and Community Events
    • Family Friendly Events
    • Walking Events
    • Wildlife & Geology Events
    • Events on Discover Glencoe
    • Road to The Isles & Ardnamurchan
  • Blogs
    • Ardnamurchan Area Blogs
    • Glencoe Area Blogs
    • Lochaber Blogs
    • West Coast Island Blogs
    • Wild About Lochaber Blog

Loch a Bhada Dharaich

  • Scots pine by the outlet of Loch a Bhada Dharaich
  • Loch Morar at the start of the walk
  • The path follows Allt an Loin near the start
  • The path can be quite boggy
  • The path is fairly well waymarked
  • Remnants of Caledonian forest
  • The path passes through old birch woodland - great for lichens
  • Take time to admire the lichens
  • The first view of Loch a Bhada Dharaich
  • Loch a Bhada Dharaich

Details

A lovely short walk from the banks of Loch Morar to the  nearby low lying hill loch, Loch a’ Bhada Dharaich.  The walk passes through a range of habitat types including heath, scattered with patches of Scots pine, and oak-birch woodland and then onto the Loch.  Good views of hills and crags are afforded on route, but the mature Scots pines are the real stars of this walk.

Look at for dippers along the river banks and red throated divers on the loch.  Look out for tracks and signs of pine marten, roe deer, red deer and eagles soaring high above the crags.  Listen out for siskins, coal tits and possibly crossbills, in the remnants of Scots pine.

The path can be indistinct and very muddy in places and some navigation skills may be required.  A lovely walk on a fine day.

Route Details

1. Park in the layby just west of the jetty and immediately east of a small wooden road bridge on the road to Bracara, west of Morar.   A wooden signpost marks the start of the footpath on the opposite side of the road from Loch Morar, by a driveway to a house. 

Head up the gravelled track through the Calluna-Erica heath with Bog Myrtle (Myrica gale) in wetter areas and dotted with Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris).  On passing by the house, the track becomes a footpath and continues to follow the river, Allt an Loin (burn of the pools).  The path heads through wet oak-birch woodland with trunks strewn with bryophytes and lichens. 

2. The path emerges from woodland onto open heath and rough grassland, leaving the river behind.  Follow the signposts across the open ground.  The ground can be boggy here as indicated by patches of bog asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum), Erica tetralix and Sphagnum species.  This section of the walk affords stunning views of the hills and crags, fringed with oak, birch and pockets of Scots pine on their lower slopes. 

3. The route skirts around a clump of Scots pine and then begins a very gentle ascent.  Keep right and follow the way marked route, ignoring paths on the left.  The path reaches a flat section before soon descending into a small birch wood, carpeted with an abundance of bryophytes and ferns, including Spaghnum, Polytrichum commune and Thuidium tamariscinum, as well as patches of bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) and Dog lichens (Peltigera sp).  There are some lovely old birch trees, strewn with leafy Parmelion lichens, interspersed with beard lichens (Usnea species) and mosses.  Take time to appreciate the diversity of the lichens on route.

4. The path emerges from the woodland and crosses open grassy heath affording lovely views of Loch a’ Bhada Dharaich.  Head towards the loch; the path is boggy and rather indistinct in places, as indicated by its bog flora, but skirts by the burn emerging from the loch.  The loch is fringed with Scots pine around its westernmost edge, with small patches of reed bed, Phragmites australis, at its margins; the latter is a good place to look for warblers and buntings.  It is also worth scanning the loch for red throated divers.

Spend time exploring the loch and enjoying the hill views. 

5. Return by the same route, heading back towards the birch woodland, across open ground and then skirting by the pine woods as before.  The path may be indistinct in places so some navigation skill may be required.  There are good views of Loch Morar at the end of the walk.

Location

starting grid ref: 

NM698932

grade: 

  • easy

terrain: 

track and boogy path

length: 

3.2km (2miles)

Type: 

  • there and back

Map: 

OS Explorer 398 - Mallaig

OS Map

>>view map in full window

Google Map

Safety

Route details and information are provided in good faith.  All walking is potentially dangerous and it is your responsibility to ensure that you are properly dressed and equipped, have a map and compass, have checked and planned your route in advance and are able to navigate effectively.  Maps displayed on these walking pages are intended as an overview of the walk and are NOT suitable for navigation.  Please follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and respect landowners and residents' privacy.  Always check the weather forecast and let others know if you are walking in the hills.

Walking

  • Walking Overview
  • Map of All Walks
  • Ardnamurchan and Moidart
  • Arisaig, Mallaig and Glenfinnan
  • Fort William and Glen Nevis
  • Glencoe, Loch Leven & Argyll
Booking.com
Booking.com

Holiday Cottages in Fort William and Lochaber

The Spean Bridge Hotel
Spean Bridge Hotel

The Spean Bridge Hotel is home to The Commando Exhibition as well as being well placed to visit The Commando Memorial

Tides - Mallaig


Arisaig Mallaig Glenfinnan Walking Pages

  • Ardnish and Peanmeanach
  • Bourblach Beach at Morar
  • Camusdarach Beach and Beyond
  • Fassfern
  • Glen Beasdale
  • Glenfinnan Viaduct and Station
  • Glenfinnan Viewpoints
  • Larachmhor Garden Walk
  • Loch a Bhada Dharaich
  • Loch an Nostarie and Mallaig
  • Loch Morar
  • Mallaig Circular
  • Prince Charlie's Cave and Borrodale Beach
  • Strath of Arisaig & Camas Ghaoideil

Glencoe

Discover Glencoe

Glencoe and Loch Leven

>>

Walking

Walking

Take a Walk on The Wild Side...

with over 100 wildlife focused walks across Lochaber, you'll be spoilt for choice

>>

Fort William

Fort William

Fort William, The Outdoor Capital

>>

Wildlife

wildlife

Wildlife

Home to Scotland's Big Five, red deer, golden eagle, otter, red squirrel, seals and so much more. A Wildlife Adventure Awaits.

>>

Ardnamurchan

West Highland Peninsulas

Ardnamurchan and The West Highland Peninsulas

>>

Activities

Activities

Activities

kayaking, wildlife watching, cruising, cycling, golfing, climbing, skiing, slow adventures and many more things to do

>>

Road to The Isles

The Road to The Isles

The Road to The Isles

>>

Day Trips

Day trips

Day Trps

Take off for the day to see the puffins on The Treshnish Isles, A Day trip to Mull, Skye, The Small Isles, The Most westerly point on the mainland and many more local ideas for a day out

>>

  • Advertising
  • Contact
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy

Photos and Content Copyright ©2011-2023 Wild About Lochaber - All Rights Reserved

  • Wild About Lochaber on YouTube
  • Wild About Lochaber on Pinterest
  • Wild About Lochaber on Instagram
  • Wild About Lochaber on FaceBook
  • Wild About Lochaber on Twitter
Share/Save