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East Highland Way
Route map
Length	132 km (82 mi)
Location	Scotland
Trailheads	Fort William 56°49′03″N 5°06′35″W / 56.8175°N 5.1096°W / 56.8175; -5.1096 (East Highland Way, Fort William trailhead) Aviemore 57°12′00″N 3°49′23″W / 57.2000°N 3.8230°W / 57.2000; -3.8230 (East Highland Way, Aviemore trailhead)
Use	Hiking
Highest point	Glen Banchor, 390 m (1,280 ft)
Lowest point	sea level, 0 m (0 ft)
Difficulty	Moderate
Season	All year
Hazards	Weather

The East Highland Way (Scottish Gaelic: Slighe Gaidhealtachd an Ear) is a long-distance walking route in Scotland that connects Fort William (56°49′04″N 5°06′39″W / 56.8178°N 5.1109°W / 56.8178; -5.1109 (East Highland Way, Fort William trailhead)) with the ski and mountain resort of Aviemore (57°11′24″N 3°49′45″W / 57.1899°N 3.8292°W / 57.1899; -3.8292 (East Highland Way, Aviemore trailhead)). The route was described by Kevin Langan in 2007. The name is derived from the fact that the route terminates in Aviemore at the eastern edge of Highland region. The EHW route takes in a varied and wild landscape through deep forest plantations, passing many highland lochs and negotiating unspoilt marshlands. The route also explores the ancient Caledonian forests of Inshriach. The walk is 82 miles (132 km) long.

Route Description (from west to east)

Part 1: Fort William to Spean Bridge

19km, 4.5 – 5.5 hours

The East Highland Way (EHW) route begins in Fort William where it engages with both the West Highland Way and the Great Glen Way. On leaving Fort William the route follows the old Ben Nevis access track past the aluminium works and Ben Nevis distillery continuing through broadleaf forests on the lower northern slopes of Carn Beag Dearg. The route soon crosses the deep gorge of Allt a' Mhuilinn. From Torlundy the route continues through Glen Spean via the Leanachan forest plantation Archived 1 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine and ascends the open hillside past Tighnacoille farm. The route then utilises local walking trails through the woods of Mointeach Dhubh (meaning Dark Moor), heading east until descending northwards towards Spean Bridge station. Spean Bridge has many hotels, B&B's and a shop for supplies. The Commando Memorial and Highbridge ruin are only a short walk from Spean Bridge and are worth a visit if time permits.

Part 2: Spean Bridge to Tulloch

16.5 km, 5.5 – 6.5 hours

The route continues eastwards past Killiechonate and Corriechoille house, soon crossing the River Cour which has some great pools for wild swimming a few 100m downstream. On arrival at Insh Farm, the route then follows the River Spean east to Monessie Gorge when you can access accommodation via the suspension foot-bridge Archived 1 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine. The route is way-marked through the Inverlair forestry plantation which has a steep ascent and descent. On arrival at Inverlair Lodge continue left for bunkhouse style accommodation which can be found at Tulloch Railway Station (only a short road-walk to the north, 3.5 km).

Part 3: Tulloch to Feagour

34km, 7.5 – 8.5 hours

From your accommodation, re-join the route at Inverlair Lodge and continue along the single track road to Fersit (passing the An Dubh Lochan). The route is way-marked through the Corrour forestry plantation between Fersit and Moy Bridge. From Moy, the route continues along the south shore of Loch Laggan through the Ardverikie Estate, made famous by the BBC production Monarch of the Glen. From the stunning Falls of Pattack in Feagour, accommodation can be found via taxi/pickup in Laggan.

Part 4: Feagour to Laggan Village

8.8 km, 2.5 – 3 hours

From the Falls of Pattack carpark, continue to follow the route eastwards through Strathmashie, passing the ancient Pictish hill-fort of Dun da Lamh, situated in the Black Woods. The Wolftrax mountain bike centre can be found on-route with amenities for walkers in its cafe. After crossing the River Spey, Laggan Village can be seen only a short distance across farmland to the east. Laggan has many hotels and B&B's.

Part 5: Laggan to Newtonmore

15.5 km, 5 – 6 hours

From Laggan, the route leads uphill through the tiny hamlet of Balgowan where it soon departs the woods for the more open moorland of Strath an Eilich. After crossing the moor towards Binnein Mor, the route picks up the Cluny Estate track which leads to Dal-na-seilg bothy in Glen Banchor. The route then follows the River Calder eastwards and descends to Newtonmore via the Old Glen Road. Newtonmore has many shops, hotels and bunkhouses.

Part 6: Newtonmore to Kincraig

24.5 km,6.5 – 7 hours

From Newtonmore the route ascends past the dramatic Allt Laraidh waterfall near Strone. The route then continues northwards until it meets the sharp edge of a large forestry plantation north of Strone sheep fank. The route turns east where Loch Gynack soon comes into view. The route descends the along the Gynack Burn and arrives at Kingussie which has many shops, restaurants and accommodation options. From Kingussie, the route passes Ruthven Barracks and continues to follow the waymarked Badenoch Way to Kincraig, passing the Insh marshes and Loch Insh Watersports Centre.

Part 7: Kincraig to Aviemore

16.5 km,4 – 5 hours

From Kincraig the route passes the dramatic Frank Bruce Sculpture Park and soon arrives at Feshiebridge. From here – the route climbs through the Inshriach woods past Drakes Bothy and the Island Castle of Loch an Eilein. This area is very sensitive due to presence of capercaillie (a large rare ground nesting bird) and as such great care should be taken to reduce noise, human waste and to remain on the path at all times. The route then passes Lochan Mor and descends to the road triangle at Inverdruie. The finishing point of Aviemore is only a short road-walk north-westwards and this is where the East Highland Way connects with the Speyside Way.

Guidebook

The instructional guidebook to the East Highland Way by Kevin Langan was first published by Sleepers Hill Publications in 2010. The 2nd edition of the guidebook was published by Luath Press of Edinburgh on 1 May 2011. The 3rd edition of the guidebook by Luath Press was published on 1 August 2012 which included updated and alternative route sections.

Places along the way

A summary of some of the towns/villages en route (from west to east):

Fort William
Torlundy
Spean Bridge
Monessie
Tulloch Station
Strathmashie
Laggan
Newtonmore
Kingussie
Loch Insh
Kincraig
Feshiebridge
Aviemore

Trail Connections

The East Highland Way connects to three other long-distance routes:

West Highland Way at Fort William
Great Glen Way at Fort William
Speyside Way at Aviemore

Rare species

Some rare species that can be spotted along the route are as follows:

References

"East Highland Way". Walking Scotland. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
"Fort William to Spean Bridge".
"Spean Bridge to Inverlair".
"Inverlair to Feagour".
"Feagour to Laggan".
"Laggan to Newtonmore".
"Newtonmore to Kincraig".
"Kincraig to Aviemore".
"The East Highland Way | Luath Press Limited". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016.
"Wildlife".

External links

Map all coordinates using OpenStreetMap

Download coordinates as:

v t e Long-distance footpaths in the United Kingdom
National Trails (England and Wales)	Cleveland Way Coast to Coast Walk Cotswold Way Glyndŵr's Way Hadrian's Wall Path King Charles III England Coast Path North Downs Way Offa's Dyke Path Peddars Way Pembrokeshire Coast Path Pennine Bridleway Pennine Way The Ridgeway South Downs Way South West Coast Path Thames Path Yorkshire Wolds Way
Other trails (England and Wales)	Capital Ring Esk Valley Walk Lea Valley Walk London Outer Orbital Path Norfolk Coast Path Peak District Boundary Walk Pennine Journey Shakespeare's Way Vanguard Way Wales Coast Path Yorkshire Water Way
Scotland's Great Trails	Annandale Way Arran Coastal Way Ayrshire Coastal Path Berwickshire Coastal Path Borders Abbeys Way Cateran Trail Clyde Walkway Cross Borders Drove Road Dava Way Fife Coastal Path Formartine and Buchan Way Forth-Clyde/Union Canal Towpath Great Glen Canoe Trail Great Glen Way Great Trossachs Path John Muir Way Kintyre Way Loch Lomond and Cowal Way Moray Coast Trail Mull of Galloway Trail River Ayr Way Rob Roy Way Romans and Reivers Route St Cuthbert's Way Southern Upland Way Speyside Way Three Lochs Way West Highland Way West Island Way
Long-distance path (Northern Ireland)	Ulster Way

56°58′07″N 4°24′43″W / 56.9687°N 4.4120°W / 56.9687; -4.4120

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