Walking

Our hotel in Inverness is the perfect base for a walking holiday. Close to all the city’s amenities, yet on the doorstep of the wild and rugged Scottish Highlands. Here, you have the best of both worlds! From gentle city walks that take in the sights of Inverness, to challenging hikes with spectacular mountain-top views, and everything in between.

Inverness city walks

If you’re looking for great walks in the Inverness area, start right here in the city centre. Inverness is a beautiful place to explore, with wonderful architecture and so much history. The River Ness runs through the city, and you can enjoy lovely picturesque walks along the riverside, taking in sights such as Inverness Castle and Inverness Cathedral. The Ness Islands provide a tranquil haven, where you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped into the countryside. This is also the starting point for the Caledonian Canal, and there is a popular walk along the canal towpath to Dochgarroch Locks.

Loch Ness walks

Inverness is only a 15-minute drive from the northern tip of Loch Ness. If you’re looking for a challenge, you can walk the whole way around Scotland’s most famous loch on the Loch Ness 360° Trail, which takes around 6 days. Although there are plenty of shorter walks to enjoy around the loch. For example, the Falls of Foyers, the Three Lochs Circuit and the Abriachan Trails. Climb Meall Fuar-mhonaidh for a wonderful view down the great glen. Or, take a walk to Suidhe Viewpoint for spectacular panoramic vistas.

The Black Isle

The Black Isle is actually a peninsula, not an island, located just north of Inverness, across the Beauly Firth. Easy to reach by crossing the Kessock Bridge. There are lots of great walks on the Black Isle. You can stroll along to Chanonry Point, between Fortrose and Rosemarkie, to look out for dolphins leaping from the Moray Firth. Enjoy a different view of Inverness from the top of Ord Hill by North Kessock. And discover the beautiful Fairy Glen nature reserve, where fairies were said to protect the water supply.

Glen Affric

Often described as the most beautiful glen in Scotland, Glen Affric is a magnificent valley, around an hour’s drive south west of Inverness. It is definitely worth the trip, particularly for avid walkers. Made up of woodland, moorland, lochs and mountains, this is an important conservation area and national nature reserve. We’ve put together an Inverness to Glen Affric road trip itinerary, which takes in many of the highlights, such as Reelig Glen, Plodda Falls and the River Affric Trail.

Long-distance trails

Inverness is close to many amazing long-distance trails. So if you’re looking for a challenge, check out the Loch Ness 360° Trail, Great Glen Way and South Loch Ness Trail, which are based around Loch Ness. And the John O’Groats Trail, which follows the coastline from Inverness to John O’Groats in the far north of Scotland.