Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve, near Loch Laggan, Scottish Highlands
Lochan a' Choire
Lake
Place photograph
6.2
Wildland
Half day
Time
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Cost
Wild
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.2A tucked-away Highland lochan reached on foot, with the route following the Allt Coire Ardair through a glen towards the base of Creag Meagaidh. The destination is the payoff for a substantial walk, not a roadside stop.
The appeal here is the journey into a quieter mountain setting: a sustained walk beside a stream, through woodland and heath, ending at a lochan beneath the surrounding hills. It offers a more immersive Highland outing than a quick waterside visit.
Wild · Secluded · Dramatic
Find your way
Open mapCreag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve, near Loch Laggan, Scottish Highlands
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The experience
The sourced outing is an out-and-back walk from the Loch Laggan area, following the Allt Coire Ardair through a glen, woodland and heath to Lochan a' Choire. Allow around 3.5–4 hours for the 7.5-mile route and check weather and trail conditions before leaving.
Things to do
Walk the Allt Coire Ardair route to the lochan
Follow the out-and-back trail from the Loch Laggan area, alongside the Allt Coire Ardair and through woodland and heath, to Lochan a' Choire. The route is listed as 7.5 miles with 1,361 ft of ascent; allow around 3.5–4 hours.
3.5–4 hours
Make a day of it
Quick escape · 3.5–4 hours
The walk to the lochan
- 01
Start from the Loch Laggan area and follow the route beside the Allt Coire Ardair.
- 02
Continue through the glen, woodland and heath on the described out-and-back trail.
- 03
Reach Lochan a' Choire and return by the same route.
Hidden details
The changing route landscape — The approach is described as passing beside a stream, through woodland and then across heath before reaching the lochan. These shifts in terrain are a useful part of the experience, not just the final destination.
When to go
· No place-specific recommendation is established by the supplied sources.
The supplied sources do not establish a best season. The route is in a Highland mountain setting, so check the forecast and trail conditions before setting out.
Conditions may be changeable on the route. Bring suitable layers and check the forecast and current trail conditions before setting out.
The route
- ascent
- 1,361 ft
- surface
- Mostly gravel, with some sections of unknown surface and a very short section with steps, according to AllTrails.
- distance
- 7.5 miles
- duration
- 3.5–4 hours
- difficulty
- Listed as hard by AllTrails; the route description notes a steady incline and some steeper sections.
- waymarking
- The route is described in a video account as following a clearly marked path; confirm current waymarking before setting out.
- route shape
- Out and back
- start point
- Loch Laggan area; exact start point not confirmed in the supplied source details.
- parking start
- Parking arrangements and the precise route start are not confirmed. Check before visiting.
- Follow the Allt Coire Ardair through the glen.
- Pass through woodland and heath.
- Reach Lochan a' Choire beneath the surrounding mountain landscape.
What to look for
Notice the change from streamside walking to woodland and then heath as the route climbs towards the lochan. The supplied sources do not verify particular wildlife species or historical features to look for.
Best time to go
Not established by the supplied place-specific sources; check conditions before travelling.
No best month or time of day is established by the supplied place-specific sources. Check the forecast and current trail conditions before setting out.
How long to spend
Half day
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · Wildlife lovers
Practical information
Opening & access
A walking route to the lochan is described from the Loch Laggan area. Check current access, route conditions and parking arrangements before setting out; no parking location or access conditions are confirmed by the supplied sources. Access arrangements are unconfirmed. Check before visiting; do not enter private land or restricted structures.
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Parking
Parking arrangements are not confirmed for this route. Check before visiting.
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Toilets
Check before visiting.
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Food & drink
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Dogs
The source row marks this as dog friendly, but route-specific rules are not confirmed. Check before visiting.
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Accessibility
The described route is 7.5 miles (12 km) return, with a steady incline and some steeper sections. It is not described as wheelchair accessible. Check current trail conditions and your ability to complete the walk.
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Cost
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Check before visiting
Water
Lochan
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Lochan a' Choire
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
