📌 Inverness, Highland
★★★
The wooded slopes of Craig Phadrig rise steeply above the western suburbs of Inverness. You’d expect a summit so close to the city centre to have decent views over the town, but in fact this side of the panorama is obscured by trees. Instead, enjoy the glorious northwestern vista over the Beauly Firth with the dark mass of Ben Wyvis on the horizon. Craig Phadrig is also the site of an Iron Age Hill fort, later becoming the seat of a Pictish king; you can just about make out the vitrified walls surrounding a grassy void which used to be the middle of the fort. Reaching the top involves a steep but very short walk from a car park on the south side of the hill. There are several path options – the details below describe the most direct route, but longer and gentler alternatives are available.
📷 Chronological photo guide
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish off Leachkin Brae, Kinmylies, 2 mi west of Inverness city centre
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NH 639449
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 57.474055,-4.271951
🚌 Bus to Kinmylies
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
▶ 1 km / <1 mi | ▲ 60 m | ⌛ 30 min
Features: △ Craig Phadrig (172 m)
⬤ Easy | Steep woodland paths or tracks, with steps in places.
Download file for GPS➡️ Out-and-back walk using direct path to Craig Phadrig summit & fort. Area map 🔗 here – though our route doesn’t fully follow any specific waymarked trail
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: A jay, long-tailed & coal tits, a pair of buzzards screeching overhead.
Weather: Dry with sun & some clouds, temperature in mid teens.
September 2025
