Walks | North-West
Kinlochewe - Loch Fada
Start: Incheril, Nr. Kinlochewe
Description: A long walk on poor and boggy paths to a remote lochan in an area known as The Wilderness.
OS Map: #19 Gairloch & Ullapool
Multimap: Online Map
Starting from a little car park just off the Kinlochewe-Achnasheen road, this longer walk (approx 13 miles) sets out along the banks of the meandering Kinlochewe River,rising up past the falls to Lochan Fada, looping back through two remote and beautiful glens. It covers some rough ground, and takes in a remote pass between two big hills. The Fisherfield Forest to the north is one of the last remaining wildernesses in Britain, treat it with respect and be well prepared for poor weather.
The car park is reached by following the small road posted Incheril, just on the Eastern outskirts of Kinlochewe. Pass through a kissing gate on the north side of the car park and turn left. Follow the path west alongside the fence towards a small graveyard and on to a stone outbuilding above a small croft. From the building, continue north west between the bracken-covered hillside on one side and grazing land on the other to a high gate not far on. Go through the gate and the path continues to another gate before it drops to cross a wide footbridge.
From the bridge, continue along the riverside, passing through patches of woodland and bracken until the path reaches a fork, the more obvious way going left while a grassy path bears right. Take the right hand option and continue along below a waterfall to the southern end of Loch Maree where the path rises through oak, birch and alder trees clinging to the slope above the water. Views open out to the Beinn Eighe nature reserve on the far banks of the loch. The walk continues on over open hillside to a bridge spanning a more substantial torrent. Cross the wooden bridge over the tumbling Abhainn an Fhasaigh and once across the path passes through a pair of metal posts. It climbs to the right, rising alongside the river, a cascade of dramatic white falls framed by tall Scots Pines. The path climbs through the glen with views opening out over Loch Maree. It is here, on the craggy outcrops that line the hillside, that you may spot wild goats grazing. There are also several waterfalls on either side so keep your eyes peeled. The ascent is quite strenuous but the path is good although it can be wet underfoot. Up to the left is Slioch, The Spear. Continue up the glen path until it reaches its highest point.
At the top the path descends in a fairly indirect curve to cross the burn as it leaves Lochan Fada. Continue down to the burn crossing, the lochan in view below. Where the path meets the burn, there is no bridge, just a series of rocks which can be used as stepping stones. Take care if they are wet because they may be slippery. Once safely over, a path skirts round the lochside, passing several strips of stony beach before is rises over a headland to a longer beach. Lochan Fada is a remote spot and it is worth stopping briefly on one of the beaches to drink in the solitude and perhaps enjoy a packed lunch. In Gaelic the word 'fada' means 'long', making this the long lochan. A simple bit of map measuring reveals it to be just over four miles in length which is pretty good going for a lochan. It is framed on two sides by high peaks, very steep slopes falling to the water's edge at the far away northern end. The slopes at the southern end are a bit more gentle, creating the peaceful beaches separating the water from the surrounding moorland. At the far end of the final long beach, you reach a channel. Cross the narrow course of water and the path bears right, climbing over the open hillside above a number of small lochans in the base of the valley down to the right. It continues to gain height, passing by the ruin of an old bothy, before undulating over the open hillside to eventually meet the top end of a solid track. The track descends quite steeply, losing height quickly to reach a bridge a mile below. Cross the bridge and a short distance on the way curves right around the hillside to reach a junction of tracks by a stone shed and enclosure at Heights of Kinlochewe. The tiny structure sits firmly in the middle of sheep grazing country so dogs should go on the lead from here to the end.
Turn right and head south along the track. Further on it meets up with the river beyond an open field and follows the increasingly turbulent water down over open grazing land. There are various waterfalls and pools lower down as the flow gains momentum. Continue on the track for just under three miles until you reach Incheril. Approaching Incheril, the track rises to a new house. Head to the right behind the property and a short distance on the kissing gate at the top end of the car park is reached.