River Oich

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Let the River Oich wash over you

Picnic by the enchanting River Oich and explore an easy trail through the pretty woodland nearby. It loops through the trees and returns along the river bank. This is a good place for spotting wildlife or just listening to birdsong and the dreamy sound of flowing water.

Take a look at our guide map to the Great Glen (PDF 5.8MB) to explore River Oich and other forests in this stunning area.

 

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Life’s essentials

You'll find the nearest toilets and places to eat in Fort Augustus.

Walking trails

River Oich Trail

Follow the beautiful River Oich through towering Norway spruce, larch and Scots pine, and look for squirrels, otters and water birds.

Uneven earth and grass surface with exposed tree roots. Some rough, narrow and muddy sections. Generally flat with some short steep slopes. Riverside path floods in heavy rain.

3 ¾ miles /
6.2 km
Allow
2 hours

More information...

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There's plenty of wonderful wildlife to spot on this family-friendly trail. Red squirrels forage for food in the woods and water birds like cormorants and goosanders visit the nearby canal. Walk quietly along the smooth grassy banks of the River Oich (just begging for a picnic!) and you may even see an otter. You can also follow the trail from the Torr Dhuin car park.

Cycling trails

Mountain biking trails

Through the trees you'll see the flat waters of the Caledonian Canal which runs almost parallel with the River Oich here. The canal is 60 miles long and links the west coast of Scotland with the east. It was built nearly 200 years ago to make a safer passage between Fort William and Inverness than the treacherous waters of Cape Wrath, on the north coast. It still carries hundreds of boats, yachts and canoes every year.

Contact: Inverness, Ross and Skye Forest District

Address: Tower Road, Smithton, Inverness

Postcode: IV2 7NL

Telephone: 0300 067 6100

Email: invernessrossskye@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

How to get here

From the centre of Fort Augustus head north towards Inverness. Before leaving the village you'll see a signpost to Jenkins Park and Auchterawe on the left hand side. Turn left up the steep hill and then left again after the play park. At the fork in the road keep left and continue for ½ mile (800 metres) until you see a green Forestry Commission sign for Torr Dhuinn and the River Oich trails. Turn left here: the River Oich car park is at the end of the road (grid reference NH 365 089).

Using SatNav?

PH32 4BW is the nearest postcode, just before the fork in the road.

Public transport

The Inverness to Fort William bus service stops in Fort Augustus, about 1½ miles (2.4 km) from the start of the trails. See Traveline Scotland for details of bus services.

Nearby places

There are many superb trails and viewpoints near Loch Ness and along the Great Glen, including three long distance walking, cycling and boating routes between Inverness and Fort William. Explore the Iron Age hill fort at Torr Dhuin, just a couple of miles along the road.

Find out more about walking, boating and fishing along the Caledonian Canal.

Old Military Road

Step back in time on the Old Military Road which lies 1 mile to the north. Walk in the footsteps of Highland cattle drovers and soldiers on this historical route that stretches 12km/7 miles from Glenmoriston to Fort Augustus. There’s plenty of wildlife to spot along the way too, from black grouse and crested tit, to pine marten and foxes.