FOREST WAY WALKS No.1

This is part one of an ongoing collection of walks that can be done immediately from Forest Way.

In recent years some of the local estates and forestry commission have been investing a great deal of time and money to help improve an ever increasing number of good standard paths and tracks.  So now there are quite a number of walks with varying terrain and difficulty all on our doorstep and I hope to showcase these all in the coming months.  To start us off I have detailed below a favourite walk of mine which is just across the road from Forest Way.

WALK 1 – LAEL FOREST GORGE WALK

This is a fabulous and varied walk which takes between 1-1.5hrs (not including stops for photos etc).  The circuit route is 3.5km long and roughly 250m ascent.

Starting at Forest Way, you cross the A835 road to the north car park for Lael Forest Gardens.  On the left hand side of the car park a path leads steeply alongside the gorge and waterfalls to join a forestry track next to a concrete bridge that crosses the gorge.  Don’t turn right or left once you get to the forestry track, just continue on the path immediately in front of you and continue up the open hillside which has been deforested.  After a few hundred metres you will pass a derelict wooden hut and now the path will head in the direction to another gorge.  You will now start to get great views of the surrounding hills.

View of Fannichs from the derelict wooden hut

Once you reach the other gorge the track continues uphill and zigzags back to the first gorge and once you reach it again you will find a wooden bridge crosses the gorge.  This is the highest point of the walk at just over 200m.  After the bridge the path continues into the forest and a dramatic change in scene.  You can just make out the path under the dark canopy of the forest and you follow this down for about 200m until you cross a tiny wooden bridge that joins a forestry track.  Turn right onto the track and follow this all the way down.  You will pass a clearing with a bench and table and this is a good viewpoint and place to stop and relax.

Viewpoint from the bench and table

Viewpoint from the bench and table

Once you reach the bottom of the forestry track you meet another track.  Continue straight ahead and down a marked path which takes you down to the south car park for Lael Forest Gardens and from here you just walk through the gardens to the north car park and back to where you started.  The gardens are particularly enjoyable with many different species and a nice waterfall at the north car park.  Keep an eye out for red squirrels and birds of prey as there are many.

More About Us…

Welcome to Forest Way B&B and Bunkhouse

Forest Way delivers quality Bed & Breakfast and Bunkhouse accommodation set in the stunningly beautiful area of the North West Highlands. We are located nine miles south of the idyllic fishing village of Ullapool and offer a peaceful rural setting for guests. The property is nestled between the Lael Forest Garden walks and the River Broom with an abundance of wildlife and delightful walks nearby. The spectacular Corrieshalloch Gorge and the Falls of Measach are just two miles away as well as the vast number of mountains and lochs.

Why Visit Forest Way?

Hillwalking/
Mountaineering

Climb one or more of the 26 Munros, 19 Corbetts and 16 Grahams all on our doorstep. The area has some of the most iconic mountains in the UK such as Suilven, An Teallach and Stac Pollaidh.

North Coast 500/Touring NW Highlands

Embark on one of the world’s most iconic coastal touring routes, and discover the breath-taking beauty of the North Highlands; a place where you’ll find white sand beaches, rugged mountains, hidden gems and a wealth of unforgettable experiences.

Road Cycling/Mountain Biking

Enjoy the stunning scenery from your saddle. Road cyclists and mountain bikers are spoilt for choice in this area with a number of routes for all abilities.

Cape Wrath Trail

Do the famous long distance walking route and immerse yourself in nature and some of the best landscapes in the country.

Eating Out

Ullapool is the nearest place to eat and it is famed for its fabulous seafood.  You will find no finer place than the award winning Seafood Shack plus a number of good restaurants to choose from.

Nature on our doorstep

See dolphins, seals, whales and many birds on a boat trip or take a walk in our wilderness and see deer, otters, red squirrels, eagles and many more birds.  The wonderful landscape is so diverse with mountain, forest, waterfall, loch, cliffs and beaches that this provides the perfect enviroment for a vast amount of wildlife and natural geological delights.

Photography & Dark Skies

Whether you are an individual photographer or organising a group course, our area offers some of the best landscape photography in the UK. Throughout the whole year the changing light and landscape are what makes this area so magical to capture on lens.  Occasionally we get to see displays of the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) and our dark skies are perfect for night photography and astronomical viewing.

Trip Advisor Reviews

star rating  The bunkhouse facilities are as described. However, the point is there is no internet available and we are not allowed to use the lounge either. If you are lucky, you... read more

avatar thumb Eve L
July 19, 2016

star rating  We stayed in the B&B part of the house with a separate entrance. Breakfast you take at the owners dinnertable, wich is sympa. The place is nice, family friendly, has... read more

avatar thumb elarasolo
June 28, 2018

star rating  Owner very welcoming and showed me around. Lovely garden area to sit outside with tables and chairs, good kitchen, showers and comfortable beds. Good value for money and good location... read more

sarahc756
August 24, 2019

star rating  Stayed for a couple of nights in the bunkhouse. Beautiful surroundings - lovely garden and path down to the river. Friendly host who was able to make some great mountain... read more

jens172
September 7, 2020

star rating  We stayed in the B&B part of the house with a separate entrance. Breakfast you take at the owners dinnertable, wich is sympa. The place is nice, family friendly, has... read more

avatar thumb A TripAdvisor Member
June 28, 2018

Facebook Reviews

Top quality place to stay ....... Set in beautiful surroundings run by a real Gentleman with outstanding knowledge of surrounding area !! Highly recommended 😁

Graham Young Avatar Graham Young
March 29, 2017

Great little bunkhouse in a very convenient location for bagging loads of Munros and Corbetts :). Comfortable beds, a decent kitchen and an effective drying room. I've stayed a couple of times and will certainly return. Iain (the owner) is also an invaluable source of advice on hill routes.

David Pettit Avatar David Pettit
April 1, 2017

Great accommodation and base for exploring the hills around Ullapool.

Robin Wallace Avatar Robin Wallace
March 31, 2017

I've stayed here twice now. It's a fine wee bunkhouse, comfortable beds, good showers and ideally located for plenty of local hills, with the Fannichs, Deargs and An Teallach in easy reach, and not too long a drive to get into those lovely Assynt hills. The owner is a keen walker and has a lot of excellent local knowledge. You also get a free beer. Highly recommended 🙂

John-Paul Bell Avatar John-Paul Bell
March 29, 2017

Google Reviews

Nice place, very quiet. Clean. Friendly owner. Highly reccomended!

Gianni S. Avatar Gianni S.
August 24, 2017

Great value for money, very clean and tidy. Recommended!!

Caledonia Wanderer Avatar Caledonia Wanderer
November 18, 2018

I had just cycled DOWIS, Dover to Western Isles and this made a great change after a month in my tent. £20 was great with me. Comfy bed, good hot shower, nice kitchen and a warm welcome. Thank you

John Boardman Avatar John Boardman
August 2, 2018

Iain and his dad were some of the nicest people we met on our trip through and round Scotland we couldn't have asked for more! The room we stayed in we paid a little extra for to book it out, it was very clean and tidy with a lovely drive area to sit outside. The area around this site should be considered an area of outstanding natural beauty. I would highly recommend staying here if you are in the area!

Nicholas Rudd Avatar Nicholas Rudd
September 20, 2018

It is a nice little place. The bunk house is well maintained and it’s neat and clean. Host is really warm and helpful in nature. The kitchen is also well equipped. I would suggest this place to everyone who wanna go up to grave or Ullapool.

nichith ratheesh Avatar nichith ratheesh
January 9, 2019

Me and 2 friends bunked here for 1 night. Lovely little place surrounded by forests, very peaceful. You can hear the water flowing nearby which creates a tranquil environment. The owner, Ian is a lovely man. His family is also on the site who are also lovely people. The communal area in the bunkhouse was spacious and offered everything you need. Each guest room has an en suite with 4 bunks in each room. You can also rent these rooms so if you're with a small group you can create a private area. If I ever do the nc500 again I will stay here!

Zak Scutt Avatar Zak Scutt
September 7, 2018

Frequently Asked Questions

Guests can check in anytime between 4pm and 8pm.  If you wish to arrive outside these time contact us to let us know.

Breakfast is only provided as standard for guests staying in the B&B.  The Bunkhouse is self catering with full kitchen facilities which guests can use for evening meals and breakfast.

All linen is provided for all rooms.  Towels are provided in the B&B however guests in the Bunkhouse will need to bring their own towel or these can be hired for £1 each.

We can do a pick up service from Ullapool and the surrounding area.  Minimal charges will apply to cover petrol costs.  If you require a pick up service please notify us as early as possible as this service has limited availablity.

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