VISITORS have been drawn to Strathpeffer ever since it became a spa town during the Victorian era. But as picturesque as this historic town is, take a look at its surrounding terrain – and in particular, the rising fin-shaped ridge of Knockfarrel with Cnoc Mor at its western end. This walk takes in the whole ridge, with brilliant views over the Black Isle as well as north to the great bulk of Ben Wyvis.
The paths are obvious and good underfoot, if a little overgrown and muddy in places. Wear boots and wrap up as you will be exposed to the elements. The ascent to the top of Cnoc Mor – passing through a forestry plantation and then open hillside – is
steep, so take your time.
The main reward of going up this way is that you are quickly on high ground and able to stride along the ridge with views over Loch Ussie and the Cromarty Firth. As the trees are left behind, the eye is drawn north, over rolling farmland to high mountains.
The descent from the top of Knockfarrel is gentle, and near the end you reach the Touchstone Maze. This rock labyrinth follows prehistoric patterns, complete with sun alignments. The rocks were taken from across the Highlands and Islands, and include Lewisian gneiss, some of the oldest in the world at 3,000 million years of age.
Distance: 41/2 miles.
Height climbed: 790ft.
Time: 21/2 to 31/2 hours.
Map: OS Landranger 26.
Park: From Dingwall, drive through Strathpeffer until you reach the west end of the town. At a house called West Park, go left along a track to the Forestry Commission's Blackmuir Wood car park.
In summary: A green waymarker indicates the start of a path through woodland. Go left at a reed-filled lochan to reach the track you drove in on, where you go right.
Walk past some log cabins and at the top of the track go left, at a metal gate. After a few hundred yards, ignore a path going left and continue straight on, following a sign for 'Stone Maze'. As the track bears left, go right, up a narrow path into a forestry plantation. The path veers right, levelling off to go roughly in a straight line to the edge of the plantation and a fence, where you go left.
Cross a stile next to a cairn and keep going up, following the fence on its other side. On reaching an area of bracken, the path veers right and is fairly overgrown before reaching another path at a signpost, where you go left. At another path, go left and then bear right on seeing the trig point to reach the top of Cnoc Mor.
Go right at the trig point, following a path with a fence on the left. Eventually you reach a track crossing the path. Go over a stile and take a path on the other side to walk up and along Knockfarrel's ridge. Pass a small sculpture of three people and at a fork go left to drop down to a wide bealach, next to a bench. Go up the other side to reach the top of Knockfarrel.
Retrace your steps to the bealach and take a path going down to the right, across the slopes of the ridge. The path rises slightly before reaching trees and a stile next to a wooden gate. Cross the stile and follow a wide path for about 200 yards, where you take a path going down to the right to reach the Touchstone Maze.
Follow a path to the right of the maze, then go straight on at a signpost. Keep on the main path after the signpost, ignoring turnings to the left and right, and on reaching the track you started on turn right to retrace your steps to the car park.
Refreshments: There is a wide choice of places to eat and drink in Strathpeffer.
While you are in the area: Head to the centre of Strathpeffer and enjoy the grandeur of this Victorian spa town. During the summer months, you can sample the waters at the Pump Room, just off the main street.
The full article contains 708 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
