GPS Cycle and Walking Routescycle iconwalk icon

Strathpeffer Walk - Blackmuir Wood, Cat's Back and Loch Ussie Walk

6.21 miles (10 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This circular walk explores the area around the village of Strathpeffer in Ross and Cromarty in the Scottish Highlands.
The route visits some of the area highlights including Blackmuir Wood and the Cat's Back Ridge where you can enjoy some splendid views to the nearby Loch Ussie. You'll also enjoy a climb to Cnoc Mor where there are more fine views over the area.
The walk starts in Strathpeffer and head south to Blackmuir Wood where there are some pleasant woodland trails, an Iron Age hill fort and the Touchstone Maze.  The maze is a wonderful collection of over 80 ancient rocks, laid out as a labyrinth.
From here you head east along the Cats Back Ridge (Knock Farril) where there are wonderful panoramic views from the elevated path.
The route then picks up a country lane heading west past Loch Ussie and back to Blackmuir Wood where you can climb to Cnoc Mor.
To continue your walking in the area head west to visit the wonderful Rogie Falls.
Please scroll down for the full list of walks near and around Strathpeffer. The detailed maps below also show a range of footpaths, bridleways and cycle paths in the area.

Strathpeffer OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Strathpeffer Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Walks near Strathpeffer

  • Rogie Falls - This short walk visits a series of lovely waterfalls in the Highlands
  • Loch Achilty - This walk visits the lovely Loch Achilty in the Scottish Highlands
  • Dingwall Canal Walk - This walk takes you along the Dingwall Canal in the town of Dingwall in the Highlands
  • Muir of Ord - This walk climbs to Ord Hill near the village of Muir of Ord, Easter Ross.
  • Beauly River Walk - This walk visits Beauly, one of the loveliest villages in Scotland
  • Caledonian Canal - Follow the Caledonian Canal from Inverness to Loch Dochfour on this waterside walk or cycle in the Scottish Highlands
  • River Ness - Enjoy a short stroll along the River Ness on this popular waterside walk in Inverness
  • Inverness Canal and Forest Walk - This varied walk from the city first takes you along the Caledonian Canal before heading to the nearby Craig Phadrig Forest
  • Loch Glass - This walk takes you along peaceful Loch Glass in the Scottish Highlands.

Photos

Loch Ussie - geograph.org.uk - 388568

View over Loch Ussie and its small islands. In the centre Eilean Beag, on the right side Eilean Mor. The picture was taken exactly next to a monument.

Stones of the Touchstone Maze

Stones of the Touchstone Maze in Blackmuir Wood. The stones represent the range of rocks which make up North Scotland, and include 3,000 million-year-old Lewisian gneiss, among the oldest rock-types in the world.

Blackmuir Wood - panoramio (7)

Blackmuir Wood

Where two paths divide on the Catsback Ridge

Where two paths divide on the Catsback Ridge.

Loch Ussie - panoramio (2)

Loch Ussie

Cnoc Mòr summit

Cnoc Mòr summit

GPS Files

GPX File

Strathpeffer.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)