Elphin to Lochinver - Wednesday 9 April 2025
Route
A835 Elphin - Cam Loch - Druim nan Cnaimhseag - Lochan Fada - Gleann Dorcha - Loch na Gainimh - Lochan Buidhe - Suileag Bothy - Loch Druim Suardalain - Glencanisp Lodge - Lochinver
Parking
This was a linear walk therefore we parked in the village of Lochinver and caught the number 809 bus which is operated by Rapsons Highland. A link to the timetable is here - we caught the 0745 bus which dropped us off at 0820.
Mileage
13.6 miles
Terrain
Mostly good low level paths although intermittent in places
Weather
Gloriously sunny although cold at times
Time Taken
6hrs 30mins
Total Ascent
1155ft (352m)
Map
OS 442 Assynt & Lochinver (Kylesku & Inchnadamph)
Walkers
Dave & Angie
A835 Elphin - Cam Loch - Druim nan Cnaimhseag - Lochan Fada - Gleann Dorcha - Loch na Gainimh - Lochan Buidhe - Suileag Bothy - Loch Druim Suardalain - Glencanisp Lodge - Lochinver
Parking
This was a linear walk therefore we parked in the village of Lochinver and caught the number 809 bus which is operated by Rapsons Highland. A link to the timetable is here - we caught the 0745 bus which dropped us off at 0820.
Mileage
13.6 miles
Terrain
Mostly good low level paths although intermittent in places
Weather
Gloriously sunny although cold at times
Time Taken
6hrs 30mins
Total Ascent
1155ft (352m)
Map
OS 442 Assynt & Lochinver (Kylesku & Inchnadamph)
Walkers
Dave & Angie
GPX Files
From 1 March 2025 GPX files will not be available directly from the walk page as there is difficulty in using a downloadable version from the website. To that end, if you require a GPX File please get in touch via the Contact Form below and we will gladly forward it to you - thank you.
From 1 March 2025 GPX files will not be available directly from the walk page as there is difficulty in using a downloadable version from the website. To that end, if you require a GPX File please get in touch via the Contact Form below and we will gladly forward it to you - thank you.
Route Map
We drove over to Lochinver early to catch the 0745 Chuggaboom Express Bus to Elphin - 30mph top speed going downhill with the wind behind. Every bone in our bodies was shaken to within an inch of its life on the journey however we arrived in one piece. Fair play to the Bus Driver though - he did drop us off at the exact spot where the walk started from saving us a 30 minute walk up from the village.
The original Chuggaboom from the Wacky Races - complete with The Anthill Mob
The walk start point on the A835 which is approximately 1.5 miles east of the village of Elphin
The signpost at the start stated 19km (12 miles) to Lochinver however we would be walking a bit further as were visiting Suileag Bothy
A few yards from the start and we were straight into excellent views - looking down Cam Loch to Suilven. Our route would be heading down the eastern side of the loch which is over to the right.
Considering the remoteness of the route, there was a very good path along the loch's eastern shore
Looking across Cam Loch to Cul Mor with Cul Beag over to the left
Continuing along the loch, a fence comes in from the right which we handrailed for just under a mile
This really was a beautiful day and absolutely nobody here
Leaving the fence line the path cuts through the heather towards Creag a' Chaise ahead. The mountain in view to the right is Canisp.
Canisp almost in full view as we start to head away from the shore line for a short distance................
.......... to then rejoin it as we near Creag a' Chaise
Cul Mor across Cam Loch - the summit is still in low cloud unfortunately
Looking back down Cam Loch
A superb view of a smoking Suilven
At Grid Reference NC 214 143 the path splits - we turned to the right at the path fork in the direction of Canisp
The route passes above Loch a' Chroisg
Meall Beag at Suilven's eastern end
The cloud begins to clear over on Cul Mor
The route passes to the left of an unnamed lochan as we near Lochan Fada
Lochan Fada below Canisp
Lochan Fada (Click Play to view)
Approaching the northern end of Lochan Fada
A panorama of Canisp over Lochan Fada
Looking down Lochan Fada from the ford at the outflow
Crossing the ford over Lochan Fada's outflow. We would cross here and continue to the left along the northern bank of the Allt a' Ghlinne Dhorcha
Heading along the Allt a' Ghlinne Dhorcha
Suilven now in full view as we head along Gleann Dhorcha towards Loch na Gainimh
Gleann Dhorcha (Click Play to view)
A Suilven selfie in Gleann Dhorcha
Suilven's three summits now in view - left to right Meall Beag, Meall Meadhonach & Caisteal Liath
The path now heads along the eastern shoreline of Loch na Gainimh - and what a backdrop
A close up on Suilven across the loch. We climbed Suilven in April 2022 and a link to that walk is here.
Angie looking across at Suilven no doubt reminiscing about the fantastic day we had with Fudge climbing it - we thought a lot about him today, as we do every day particularly all the exciting adventures we had with him.
At the head of Loch na Gainimh the route crosses a footbridge over Abhairn na Clach Airigh
Abhairn na Clach Airigh (Click Play to view)
Looking back to Canisp
At Grid Reference NC 16761 19646 the path splits which is marked by a small cairn. We were heading straight on to Lochinver (in the direction Angie is heading in the pic) - the path to the right as we look heads to Suilven and the ascent via Bealach Mor.
Continuing along the Abhairn na Clach Airigh which is crossed once more via a footbridge
Canisp over Lochan Buidhe
Suilven over Lochan Buidhe
Canisp & Suilven - whilst it may not look it from here, Canisp is the higher of the two by 380ft (116m)
At Grid Reference NC 14748 20966 a small cairn marks the turn off to Suileag Bothy which is certainly worth a visit. The bothy is 300 yards from the path junction.
Approaching Suileag Bothy
The front door to Suileag Bothy - the building is on the Glencanisp Estate and is maintained by the Mountain Bothies Association
Angie outside Suileag Bothy
Not a bad view when waking up after a night in the bothy - Suilven in all its glory
As with all bothies, the accommodation is austere but perfectly acceptable for one night - and it's free
The bothies "front room" - it was nice to see it tidy and we did not have to remove any rubbish this time
Our visitor's book entries for 2022 & 2025 - same old, same old
We headed back to the path to continue the final few miles to Lochinver - should you not wish to retrace your steps back to the junction, a path can be taken north from Suileag Bothy turning west at Loch Bad an t-Sluic which rejoins the route at Glencanisp Lodge.
A last look to both Canisp & Suilven as we near Lochinver
The final approach to Glencanisp Lodge
Glencanisp Lodge
Designed by William Lewis, Glencanisp Lodge is a classic Victorian sporting lodge with a variety of old and modern buildings in its immediate environment. The original building was built in 1850 as a farm house for the Duke of Sutherland’s new sheep farm on Glencanisp. Having had various owners over the years, in 2005 the Vestey Family sold the Glencanisp and Drumrunie Estates to the Assynt Foundation, which mounted a community buy out on behalf of the people of Assynt. Today, Glencanisp Lodge is run as a hospitality business with a dozen bedrooms set in a unique location, and after substantial refurbishment is due to reopen under new management in 2026.
Designed by William Lewis, Glencanisp Lodge is a classic Victorian sporting lodge with a variety of old and modern buildings in its immediate environment. The original building was built in 1850 as a farm house for the Duke of Sutherland’s new sheep farm on Glencanisp. Having had various owners over the years, in 2005 the Vestey Family sold the Glencanisp and Drumrunie Estates to the Assynt Foundation, which mounted a community buy out on behalf of the people of Assynt. Today, Glencanisp Lodge is run as a hospitality business with a dozen bedrooms set in a unique location, and after substantial refurbishment is due to reopen under new management in 2026.
Suilven from Glencanisp Lodge over Loch Druim Suardalain
The main parking area for those wishing to walk the out and back to Suilven
The parking area is about a mile from the turning off the A837 in Lochinver to Glencanisp Lodge. The roadside parking is about half a mile from Glencanisp Lodge. The Grid Reference is NC 107220 and the nearest postcode is IV27 4LU. There used to be parking available at Glencanisp Lodge however it is worth checking with the Estate Office or calling the Lodge direct.
The parking area is about a mile from the turning off the A837 in Lochinver to Glencanisp Lodge. The roadside parking is about half a mile from Glencanisp Lodge. The Grid Reference is NC 107220 and the nearest postcode is IV27 4LU. There used to be parking available at Glencanisp Lodge however it is worth checking with the Estate Office or calling the Lodge direct.
Daft photo time as we approach the centre of Lochinver
Heading into Lochinver the route passes the entrance to Inver Lodge
Loch Inver - the sea loch from where the village gets its name
The impressive Lochinver War Memorial at the end of a simply stunning walk
Back at our holiday cottage and only one thing for it - a refreshing tin of Apples