Walks from Inverness

Largely good off-road walking through Culloden Forest and High Wood and down the wooded valley of the River Nairn and though one section near Cawdor cannot be followed without bush-whacking.

Woodland: half under tree cover.

Time: 9h–18h30

Warnings: Between the White Bridge near Clephanton and Kilravoch Castle the route cannot be followed and requires a diversion. The riverside path down the River Nairn is unsafe when the river is high, runs very close to the water with drops of around 2m in places, and can be cut after flooding.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Coastal: three fifths along the coast.

Time: 5h–10h

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.

Time: 6h30–13h30

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a third of the walk.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A long and varied route following the John o'Groats Trail: an unscenic exit past the industrial port, the Kessock Bridge, then steep climbs into forest with high vegetation, forest paths and minor roads and shore-side stretches. Includes the Cromarty Bridge and a stretch where you must step over railway rails and climb a fence. Covers the Inverness to Culbokie section of the John o'Groats Trail plus the section towards Alness; see jogt.org.uk. Munlochy has a small local shop, and the walk can be broken at Culbokie.

Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.

Time: 9h30–19h

Lunch: Munlochy, roughly mid-route, has a small local shop.

Warnings: Steep climbs through high vegetation mean leg covering is needed. A short stretch near Munlochy is busy with little verge. There is no controlled crossing of the railway near the Cromarty Bridge: you step over the rails and climb a small fence. The Kessock and Cromarty bridges carry heavy, noisy traffic and can be windy. Best split with an overnight stop.

Walk details: Slow Ways.