The Black Water walk from Little Garve to Silverbridge

A walk · Garve

The Black Water – Two Old Bridges and a River in Spate

2 miles1½ hoursa loop

free parkingtoilets

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North of Garve the Black Water comes down through woodland in a run of peaty pools, rapids and small falls, with an old stone bridge at each end.

Forestry and Land Scotland's Two Bridges Trail is a loop of 3.3 km, up one bank and back down the other between them, and it says to allow about an hour and a half. It's a walk for autumn, when, Forestry and Land Scotland says, the native trees are particularly colourful and high water makes the river roar.

Where it starts

Little Garve car park, signed off the A835 about two miles north of Garve: free.

Walk it now Directions to the start

Is it for me?

Tap who is coming, or the day you have, for the answer on this walk.

Before you go

Getting there

IV23 2PU is the nearest postcode. There is another car park at Silverbridge, a mile further up the A835.

On the path

About an hour and a half by Forestry and Land Scotland's Two Bridges Trail, a round of 3.3 km. A riverside walk with steps. Moderate and steep slopes, several flights of uneven steps, and rough, narrow stretches of earth and rock. Steep steps beside a fast river: older children, kept close.

Good to know

All year in daylight, and at its best in autumn after rain. From November to January set off by 1.30pm. Forestry and Land Scotland asks you to keep dogs under control and in sight, on the lead when in doubt: the steps are steep and the river is fast. Public toilets at the Silverbridge car park, at the far end of the walk, run by the Highland Council and usually open all year, Forestry and Land Scotland says; disabled access, no baby changing (the council's record). None at Little Garve. Open water beside the path: watch children closely. Forestry and Land Scotland also warns of ticks: check for them afterwards.

The walk

Park at Little Garve, which is signed off the A835 about two miles north of Garve. The Forestry and Land Scotland car park is free, and IV23 2PU is the nearest postcode. The Two Bridges Trail is a waymarked round of 3.3 km beside the Black Water, and Forestry and Land Scotland says to allow about an hour and a half. It runs between two old stone bridges, up one bank of the river and back down the other. The high arch at Little Garve carried a military road built about 250 years ago from Contin to Poolewe on the west coast.

The single high stone arch of Wade's Bridge over the river at Little Garve, white water over rock ledges below and birches in yellow leaf behind.

It's known as Wade's Bridge, though it was built by his successor, Major William Caulfeild. At the far end is Silverbridge, which Forestry and Land Scotland says is part of an ancient route used by cattle herders on their way to the markets in the south. Between the two, the river drops through dark, peaty pools and rapids, and it's at its loudest in autumn, when the water is high and, Forestry and Land Scotland says, the native trees are particularly colourful. Look for brown trout in the pools below the bridge. The trail is graded strenuous: there are steep slopes, several flights of uneven steps and some narrow, rocky stretches, so wear boots.

Silverbridge, an old stone bridge of two arches, with the Black Water pouring white through a rocky gap beneath it, pines and yellow birches on the banks.

Watch children closely beside the fast water, and keep dogs under control and in sight, on the lead when in doubt, as Forestry and Land Scotland asks. It also warns of ticks here: check for them afterwards. There are no toilets at Little Garve, but there are public toilets, usually open all year, and another car park at Silverbridge, so you can start from that end if you'd rather. The nearest places to eat are in Strathpeffer and Dingwall. From November to January, set off by 1.30pm.

The Black Water running white over rocks below a steep bank of pines, heather and birches turning yellow, mist on the hill beyond.

If it rains

The river is at its best after rain, but the path is earth and rock with steps, Forestry and Land Scotland's grading warns of rocky and muddy stretches, and no shelter is mapped along the round, so take the steps slowly. In a downpour, see the bridge at Little Garve from the car park and leave the round for another day.

After the walk

Coffee and cake, something to do with the rest of the day, and dinner, nearest the end of the walk first.

Straight after

Café tables and shelved shop goods beside large windows overlooking the coast

28 min by roadA restaurantHighland Farm CafeA timber eco-café on a farm above the Cromarty Firth near Dingwall, with local food and home baking, a deli of Highland produce, a play area and firth views.

Bakery counter with pastries under glass and a chalkboard drinks menu

23 min by roadA caféBad Girl BakeryA cake shop and café on the main street of Muir of Ord, baking by hand, with breakfasts, soups and sandwiches, and vegan and gluten-free choices.

Café interior with green banquette seating, wooden tables and wildflowers in vases

28 min by roadA caféCafe BiagiottiAn Italian pasticceria and coffee bar on the square in Beauly, with bread, pastries, cakes, salads and soup all made in house, and Tuscan coffee.

With the rest of the day

Waterfall cascading over rocks, framed by autumn trees and mist

8 min by roadThings to doFalls of RogieA tumbling waterfall on the Black Water near Contin, crossed by a suspension bridge, where wild salmon leap the falls in autumn.

For dinner

Corner on the Square in Beauly, 28 minutes by road. A licensed deli and eatery on the square in Beauly since 2003, with food made from scratch, cheeses and wines to take home, and a greengrocer next door.