Allt na Criche

The walk up Allt na Criche feels proper remote, even though Fort Augustus sits just a few miles away. You're hiking alongside a burn that tumbles down from the hills, with the Highlands rising up on either side - no crowds, no visitor centre nonsense, just you and the water and increasingly good views the higher you push. The landscape changes as you climb: start in pine forest, emerge into open moorland, and if the weather plays ball, you'll see right across to the Great Glen. Most people make it a two to three hour round trip from the car park, depending on fitness and how far up you fancy going. There's no charge and no facilities, so bring your own water and something to eat. Walkers absolutely get the most from this one - it's genuinely rewarding without being brutal, and the burn itself is reason enough to visit on a sunny day. Families with older kids will be fine; younger ones might flag on the steeper bits. The real charm here is how quiet it stays. You could spend all week at Loch Ness Highland Resort just 1.3 miles away and stumble on places like this that feel like you've found them yourself. If you're staying at Inver Coille or Loch Ness Holiday Park, this is an easy half-day outing that doesn't require booking anything or fighting for car park space. Go early though - Scottish weather turns on a sixpence.