The Falls of Balgy – A Pinewood Walk and Lunch at The Torridon
About 5 miles on foot.
On the south shore of Upper Loch Torridon, a loop of about five miles runs out through the Caledonian pines of the Aird Mhòr peninsula, with Beinn Alligin and Liathach across the water.
It turns up the River Balgy past its falls to the foot of Loch Damh, and lunch is a few minutes along the shore at Bo & Muc, The Torridon's brasserie.
- Time
- About two and a half hours: a loop of about five miles (8.1 km) round the Aird Mhòr peninsula and up the River Balgy to its falls below Loch Damh, with about 170 metres of up and down.
- The path
- Tracks and paths through the pines, then a rougher path beside the river.
- Where to start
- No car park at the start; a few parking spaces about 500 metres on, towards Torridon.
- Set off
- About 10am, to be at lunch at about 12.45pm.
- Dogs
- Keep dogs away from fields with cattle, and look out for mountain bikers on the tracks.
- Children
- A family walk on paths and tracks; keep children close by the river and the falls.
- Toilets
- Public toilets at Bo & Muc.
- Before you set out
- Tracks and paths, rougher beside the River Balgy.
The walk
The walk starts where a track leaves the A896 for the Aird Mhòr peninsula, between Balgy and The Torridon. There's no car park at the start; a few parking spaces lie about 500 metres on, towards Torridon. The loop is about five miles (8.1 km) with about 170 metres of up and down, so allow about two and a half hours.
It runs first through the Caledonian pines of Aird Mhòr, with Beinn Alligin and Liathach across the loch. Then it turns up the rougher path beside the River Balgy, where the water drops over a run of rocky falls below Loch Damh. In summer and autumn, watch for salmon leaping them.
Keep dogs away from fields with cattle, and look out for mountain bikers on the tracks.
If it rains
Bo & Muc's Beinn Bar, beside the restaurant, is under cover.
Afterwards
About 5 min by car
Bo & Muc Brasserie
Lunch
Lunch is four minutes' drive east along the A896 at Bo & Muc, The Torridon's brasserie, 100 metres from the hotel. It serves lunch from noon until 3pm, with dishes such as a seasonal soup, fish and chips, a Mull cheese toastie or smoked trout, and beef and pork from the resort's own farm. Its winter hours differ, so ring 01445 791242 to check them; booking is recommended, online or by phone. It's cashless and accessible. Dogs are welcome in the Beinn Bar beside the restaurant.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
The nearest of ours is The Net Store in Ardheslaig. Sleeps 4.
Then Rhuroin in Shieldaig, a mile away. Sleeps 3.
Book lunch at Bo & Muc Brasserie
Book a table for lunch at Bo & Muc Brasserie, online or on 01445 791242, for about 12.45pm after the walk.
Make it a weekend
More days out in Wester Ross.
For further reading, before you go.
Photographs by Clark Hamilton and Bo & Muc Brasserie via Google