Tomnahurich Bridge to Dochgarroch Lock
Distance 7.5 miles
Time 1.5 hours cycle, 3 hour walk
Map
This is a great cycle or walk from the outskirts of Inverness along the canalside out to Dochgarroch. Parking is available at the Bught Sports Centre or Whin Park. Join the canal at the Tonmahurich swing bridge on the A82 and take the nearside towpath. The canal takes a right turn around Torvean Hill, and continues along an impressive 1000m long embankment. The route continues through Dunaincroy, where the canal was lined with woollen mats and clay in 1820s to keep the canal watertight.
Its an easy 3.5 miles to Dochgarroch, so make time to take in the spectacular views, admire the engineering, and explore the interesting trees and hedegrows along the way. Dochgarroch Lock is extremely picturesque and the views of the surrounding hills are stunning. Picnic tables are available, and there is a restaurant, parking and toilets nearby. You can also walk or cycle out to the end of the peninsula to the weir were the river and canal join. Back at the lock you can cross (carefully) over the lock gates and return via a grassy path on the otherside, but this route is not really suitable for cyclists.
Parking - Bught Sports Centre or Whin Park
Points of interest
Dochgarroch is a regulating lock - accommodates the difference in level between Muirtown Reach and Loch Dochfour and Loch Ness
Torvean Quarry- silver chain
Construction challenges - leaks, embankment, re-routing river
Wildlife
Views
Great Glen Fault - earth tremors
Geochaches?
Wildlife? - lichens
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| Starting point |
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| Canal above river at Torvean |
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| Information about fault and earth tremors |
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| Torvean Hill behind |
