Clais Fhearnaig Circuit

Clais Fhearnaig is a 10.1-mile (16.25 km) loop from Linn of Quoich through Glen Quoich, over the Clais Fhearnaig pass, down Glen Lui and back beside the River Dee. Allow 4–4.5 hours for about 321 m of ascent. The route changes from pine-fringed tracks to a narrow, open pass, then finishes on long glen and riverside paths with a short road section. The mapped line follows connected paths matched to the written turn-by-turn description; a full downloadable track was not available, so keep an offline map handy for the upper pass and the return junctions.

From the car park, walk toward the Linn footbridge and take the sharp left path before it, climbing diagonally to the main glen track. A short optional out-and-back reaches the footbridge and the Punch Bowl, a round basin carved into rock; it is outside the mapped circuit, and the route directions say not to cross the river. Water can hide the basin. The main walk rises above the river through scattered Caledonian pines, with views toward Beinn a’ Bhùird. At the first burn, turn left almost immediately onto the narrower uphill path. If you reach the much larger river, you have gone too far.

The tread crosses open moorland toward the narrow cleft and its lochan, then follows the lochan’s right side before crossing a stream and passing a smaller pool. The upper path is narrower and often boggy; expect wet ground and small water crossings, with little shelter from wind on the open slope. The cleft’s name may mean “hollow of the alders,” though no alders remain there. A dam at the lochan recalls its use as a trout-fishing spot.

The descent opens wide views down Glen Lui and across the surrounding hills. At the Derry Lodge–Linn of Dee track, turn left down the glen. At Black Bridge, stay on the river-side track; later climb away from the water through Doire Bhraghad’s pines and heather, keeping to the main line at junctions toward Claybokie. The return follows a lane toward Mar Lodge, then paths along the raised River Dee bank, small bridges and tracks past Cragan before the final minor-road walk to the start. Victoria Bridge and views toward Mar Lodge mark this last stretch. Young pines among older trees show the gradual regeneration of the Caledonian woodland.

The start is the Linn of Quoich car park at the end of the public road, about 6 km beyond Linn of Dee. Parking is limited and can be busy on weekends; charges apply to non-members, while National Trust for Scotland members park free. The nearest toilets are seasonal at Linn of Dee; there are none listed at the Quoich start. Dogs are welcome: keep them under close control near livestock and on a lead during ground-nesting bird season, especially April through July.