📌 Glen Elchaig, Highland
★★★
The Falls of Glomach are the UK’s third highest waterfall when measured by single (not unbroken) drop: 113 metres, since you’re asking. Although most easily reached by walking from Morvich, this route along Glen Elchaig is a much more exciting (though long) approach, with hills and valley sides steadily growing in stature and steepness until the first glimpse of the top of the falls, backed by barren moorland. The full plunge is hidden from the main path even at close quarters, but can be seen by descending carefully on a zigzag path down to a natural balcony. This isn’t recommended for those uncomfortable with heights – and neither is the last mile leading to this point, which has several scrambly obstacles above big drops.
📷 Chronological photo guide
Track near Camas-luinie 
Woodland below Creag na Caorach 
Coille-righ 
Crossing the River Elchaig at Coille-righ 
Highland cow 
Waterfalls beyond Coille-righ 
Upper part of the glen 
Upper part of the glen 
View back to Coire na Coille (in the sun) 
River Elchaig below Loch na Leitreach 
Footbridge over the River Elchaig 
View downstream from the footbridge 
Loch na Leitreach 
Allt a’ Ghlomaich footbridge 
View back down Glen Elchaig 
Rough path up the glen 
Allt a’ Ghlomaich 
Fording the Allt na Laoidhre 
Distant views of the Falls of Glomach 
Approach to the falls 
Falls of Glomach from the main path 
Path to the lower viewpoint 
Lower viewpoint 
Lower viewpoint
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish at minor road end, Camas-luinie
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NG 948283
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 57.298898,-5.407673
❌ No public transport within 1 mi
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
▶ 19 km / 12 mi | ▲ 560 m | ⌛ 6-7 hr
Features: 💧 River Elchaig; 🌊 Falls of Glomach ★★★★
⬤ Tough | Track & path to Coille-righ has some boggy stretches, then excellent track to footbridge below Loch na Leitreach. Narrow path beyond: steep with unprotected drops & very mild scrambling over rock outcrops – care required especially if ground is wet. Crossing Allt na Laoidhre is usually on boulders, but could be impossible in full spate. Drier & longer alternative approach suitable for cyclists follows north bank from Killilan, 🧭 NG 940303 / 🛰️ 57.316827,-5.422357 – joining the other route as it crosses to the north bank at Coille-righ.
Download file for GPS➡️ Out-and-back walk: start – track / path along south side of glen to Coille-righ – cross to north side – track to footbridge below Loch na Leitreach – path southeast soon crosses to south bank of Allt a’ Ghlomaich – viewpoint above Falls of Glomach – branch path descends to lower viewpoint – return by outward route
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Highland cows & calves, sheep & lambs, roe deer, cuckoos calling.
Weather: A little sunshine especially at first, but mostly cloudy with a brief rain shower near the falls. Temperature in mid teens.
May 2022
Also on this walk
Falls of Glomach ★★★★
🌍 Location
📌 On Allt a’ Ghlomaich 5 mi east of Camas-luinie
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NH 019256
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 57.278346,-5.288702
❌ No public transport within 1 mi
🚗 See info for walk route above
📝 Key info
⌚ Always open
🎫 Free
💬 The recommended route to the falls is the one described above. There is a slightly shorter but less scenic alternative starting from Morvich in Strath Croe, following paths over the Bealach a’ Sròine. This may be more suitable for those less comfortable with exposure (but still requires navigation skills).
