green tourism and walking Loch Ness from Shenval B&B

There is more to Loch Ness than its famous and elusive inhabitant. Your holiday accommodation at Shenval organic B&B, very close to Loch Ness, in the Highlands of Scotland, yet far enough to escape the crowds, allows you to get off the tourist trail. With green tourism and walking in mind, we can help you discover "the other" Loch Ness while keeping your carbon footprint to a minimum!
Below is a small sample of the many off-the-beaten track outings available around Loch Ness, ideal for activities such as walking, cycling, mountain biking, horse riding, wildlife and bird watching.
Highlighted in green are destinations accessible on foot, mountain bike or by public transport, leaving your car behind at your accommodation base at Shenval BandB.

IN GLENURQUHART (Gaelic Gleann Urchadainn: The wooded glen)

Shenval B&B to Loch Ness. Way marked cycling and walking trails through Glenurquhart Forest with fine views to the hills of Strathglass and Glen Affric, over Loch Meiklie, the picturesque 19th century village of Milton and over Drumnadrochit to Urquhart Bay and Loch Ness from the Craigmonie viewpoint. 3-4 hours walk each way. Bus service back from Drumnadrochit to your accommodation at Shenval bed and Breakfast.

Glen Affric hills from near Shenval B&B in winter

ON THE NORTH SIDE OF LOCH NESS

Abriachan Forest. Purchased by the local community in 1998, these woodlands, high above Loch Ness, cover 534 hectares of planted conifers, native broadleaves and naturally regenerating open hill. Of interest at any time of year, way marked footpaths and mountain bike trails of various levels of difficulty. Bird watching from the lochside hide : heron, slavonian grebe, tufted duck, whooper swan … Golden plover and black grouse inhabit the moorland and natural woodland fringes. Imaginative tree houses, reconstructed Bronze Age hut, 19th century shieling, illicit whisky still, timber sculptures… Superb views over Loch Ness and to Glen Affric hills. Close to Shenval B&B, a great green tourism day out for all the family.

Dhivach Falls. Above Loch Ness, delightful waterfalls in ancient oakwoods. 2 hours return walk from Drumnadrochit village centre or 1 ½ hour return walk from nearest bus drop-off on the Shenval Bed & Breakfast to Inverness route.

Abriachan shieling above Loch Ness walking near Shenval B&B

Loch Ness from Abriachan near Shenval B&B Highlands of Scotland

Craigmonie woodlands walks, Drumnadrochit. Walking and cycling in typical ancient estate ornamental woodlands. Home to one of Scotland's largest grand firs measuring 180 ft (60 m) in height and 25 ft (8 m) in girth. Tree species include : oak, chestnut, elm, lime, maple, beech and larch, many over 200 years old. Fine views of Loch Ness from Craigmonie Iron Age fort, 30 minutes from nearest bus drop-off on the Shenval B&B to Inverness route.

Urquhart Bay woods, Drumnadrochit. Way marked paths in a unique alder woodland (a Site of Special Scientific Interest) take you to the shores of Loch Ness where seals have been seen by some of our visitors. Bluebells, wild garlic and many more wild flowers in spring and summer. Dippers, dragonflies... Bus service back to Shenval B&B from Drumnadrochit.

Meall Fuar Mhonaidh. A perfect introduction to hillwalking with a little bit of geology thrown in. This walk takes you to the summit (696 m) in less than 2 hours. Extensive panoramic views over Loch Ness, the Great Glen, the Monadh Liath, Ben Nevis and the hills of Glen Affric. Glorious in mid/late August with heather in full bloom.

Great Glen Way, Drumnadrochit to Invermoriston. One stage of the long distance trail, spectacularly overlooking Loch Ness for several miles. Handy bus service back to your accommodation base at Shenval B&B from Invermoriston.

Invermoriston Falls. An easy short walk best done in May or late October for beech trees colours. The path follows the river through delightful woodlands all the way down to Loch Ness. Return bus to Shenval B&B service available.

Urquhart Bay, Loch Ness close to Shenval B&B

Meall Fuar Mhonaidh, above Drumnadrochit, Loch Ness a walk from Shenval bed&Breakfast

Near Shenval B&B Loch Ness from Meall Fuar Mhonaidh © Jean Poujade

Fort Augustus. The south end of Loch Ness offers a variety of forest and river walks and cycle routes. Among our favourites : the Jenkins Park circuit up the old 18th century military road over the moorland to Dalchreichart and the Torr Dhuin Iron Age fort walk. A walk or cycle ride along the Caledonian Canal towpath can be rewarded with unusual bird sightings. Return bus service available.

Dochfour-Inverness-Dochfour. An easy and peaceful 12 km return walk or mountain bike ride on both sides of the Caledonian Canal with a handy snack/cup of tea break halfway at the subtropical oasis of Inverness Floral Hall. Fine views over the fast flowing River Ness and its broadleaved wooded banks, teeming with birds in spring and summer. Enjoyable at any time of year. Return bus service available.

ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF LOCH NESS

Foyers and Inverfarigaig. Several way marked trails are suitable for walkers and cyclists. This quieter side of the loch is characterized by an abundance of wildlife : roe and red deer, badger, red squirrel and pine marten, while birdwatchers may see golden eagle, osprey, red kite or red grouse.

The Loch Ruthven RSPB Reserve. It is home to the rare slavonian grebe best observed in April/August from a very discreet hide by the shore. Our guests have seen ospreys fishing there.

Dores Bay. Offers the rare opportunity for the more daring to try and have a swim in Loch Ness while the more timorous can satisfy themselves with scanning the entire length of the loch.

Dores Bay, Loch Ness, near Shenval B&B in winter

Beinn a’ Bhacaidh above Loch Ness. 40 minutes’ drive from Shenval B&B, possibly the only spot where you can see the whole uninterrupted expanse of Loch Ness, 36.3kms from end to end. With magnificent vistas towards Ben Nevis, the hills of Knoydart, Glen Affric and Strathfarrar, this is a short walk above Loch Tarff near Fort Augustus in rank heather and rewarded with the likely sighting of a herd of feral goats.

A walk from Shenval B&B Loch Ness end to end