Often touted as the most beautiful glen in the Highlands, remote Glen Affric boasts a quintessential blend of ancient forests, sparkling lochs, rugged mountains and stunning wildlife. It’s a landscape where golden eagles soar above towering Munro peaks, where pine martens and wildcats roam the remnants of the once great Caledonian pine forest and where hikers can find blissful tranquillity, far from the cares of everyday life.

Officially opened in 2015, the Affric Kintail Way is one of Scotland’s newest hiking routes. Starting on the shores of Loch Ness at Drumnadrochit, it ventures west towards the mountains of the North West Highlands. As it progresses, the landscape becomes wilder, leaving roads behind and journeying through Glen Affric, with the highest mountains north of the Great Glen for company. You end in Morvich, under the iconic Five Sisters of Kintail, on the eastern end of Loch Duich.

The official route is around 45 miles (72 km) in total, entails 3,800 feet (1,160 m) of elevation gain and explores some very remote Highland landscapes. Most complete it in four days, which is what I’ve opted for here. However, I’d also recommend spending more days and taking time off the main trail to explore the mountains that are accessible from some of the stage end points. If you wanted to extend your experience on the trail yet further, the Affric Kintail Way is designed to link to the Great Glen Way in the east and the challenging Cape Wrath Trail in the west.

I recommend sturdy hiking footwear, warm layers and waterproofs regardless of the season, while midge repellent is de rigueur in the summer months. There are opportunities to restock at the end of each stage but it’s worth carrying plenty of food and water. Perhaps the best time to tackle the route is in late spring or autumn, when the days are still long but biting insects aren’t such a nuisance. As it doesn’t take to the high mountains, the route is possible in winter, though the cold, short days and potential snow underfoot would make it quite a bit more challenging.

The Way follows signposted tracks and footpaths throughout and there are accommodation options at the end of each stage. However, the remote nature of the hike calls for some long-distance walking experience, as well as solid hillwalking nous if you decide to head into the hills as well.

You can use the 917 Portree to Inverness bus service to get from Allt a Chruinn near the end point at Morvich back to Drumnadrochit, although it only runs twice a day.

For my Collection on the Great Glen Way, see: komoot.com/collection/890014