Guided Walk: Glen Affric and Plodda Falls

Walking Tour to Glen Affric and Plodda Falls - Itinerary

We will collect you at your Inverness city centre accommodation around 09.30 for your hassle-free small group walking tour experience in the wonderful Highlands.

A one-hour scenic drive takes us out of the city, along the shore of the Beauly Firth and then up lovely Strath Glass as our route winds up country roads towards the mountains. First stop is the majestic Plodda Falls, close to the very quaint conservation village of Tomich (where Golden Retrievers were first bred). Our first walk of the day (2.5km) will last around 1 hour as we stroll downhill through impressive stands of huge Douglas Fir trees to reach the Abhainn Deabhag river.  We will then follow the river upstream to reach the impressive 46 metre high Plodda Falls. Gorgeous at any time of year, the falls are particularly awe-inspiring if you are lucky enough to visit during or after heavy rainfall. The final cantilevered viewing platform provids a stunning view of the Falls but can be challenging to walk out onto if you do not have a head for heights so it is entirely optional!

Driving for around 20 minutes we head right into the heart of the Glen Affric National Nature Reserve and up to the end of the puiblic road. This Glen contains one of the largest remnants of the ancient Caledonian Pine Forest that once covered 80% of Scotland. Today it is heavily protected and now forms the core of one of the largest re-wilding projects in Europe. This 'Affric Highlands' project is being led and co-ordinated by Trees For Life, an amazing charity that In Your Element have supported financially since 2018. Home to Golden Eagles, Sea Eagles, Black Throated Divers, Pine Marten and a host of other native flora and fauna this really is a very special place indeed that tends to touch people's soul.

After a picnic lunch and a visit to a truly stunning viewpoint of the upper glen and Loch Affric we will head to Dog Falls. In order to experience the glen, it's wonderful forest and (hopefully) it's wildlife up close we will take a 1.5-2 hr / 5 km circular guided walk to totally immerse ourselves in nature and gulp in the fresh air.

It will then be time to return to the minibus for the 1.25 hr return drive to Inverness, this time via Drumnadrochit and up the side of Loch Ness. And so ends a magical autumn/winter day out in breathtaking mountain and forest scenery, with many photo oportunities to help you leave with lifetime memories.

Why Choose an In Your Element Guided Tour?

• Small groups (max 8 guests)
• Lead by a qualified mountain walking leader
• Collected from your city centre accommodation
• Includes lunch of hot freshly made soup, oatcakes and cheese (dietary requirements catered for)