Ciaran Path to Loch Treig

Start location: Loch Treig (NN 320 687)
End location: Kinlochleven (NN 192 621)
Geographical area: Lochaber
Path Type: Rural Path, Drove Road
Path distance: 18.1km
Accessibility info: Suitable for pedestrians

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Route Description

From Corrour Station go northwest along the path and track as far as the south end of Loch Treig (1km before Creaguaineach Lodge). From there turn southwest up Gleann Iolairean, following the path up the Allt Feith Chiarain, which is the line of the old drove road from Spean Bridge to Kingshouse Inn. Pass Loch Chiarain and continue southwest across a level watershed along a path which goes on the north-west side of the Allt an Ruadha Dheirg and the Allt an Inbhir to reach the Blackwater Reservoir, 1km east of the dam. Finally, follow the path along the north side of the River Leven down a very attractive wooded glen to reach Kinlochleven.

OS Landranger 41 (Ben Nevis, Fort William & surrounding area)

Heritage Information

The Ciaran Path is so-called because it once ran from Kinlochleven to Ciaran, a lost change house and drove stance that lay between Lochan Inbhir and Lochan-na-Salach Uidhre, now submerged in the combined waters of the Blackwater Reservoir.

The drove road from Spean Bridge came through the Lairig Leacach to reach Loch Treig. From there the drovers headed up Gleann Iolairean, then down the Ciaran Water to Ciaran.
From Ciaran, a drove road ran east to meet the Road to the Isles near the ford over the Allt Eigheach; another route headed south by Allt nam Fuarean to meet the track across Rannoch Moor using it to reach Kingshouse in Glencoe.

The Ciaran Path also has a more recent history. Starting from Kinlochmore, this was the route to a First World War POW camp 2km from the village.

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