📌 Loch Ness, Highland
★★★
Meall Fuar-mhonaidh (Cold round hill) is the domed summit rising above the west bank of Loch Ness, particularly distinctive in views from Dores. The name of the hill is a bit of a tongue-twister, but the appeal of the ascent is simple: almost the full length of Loch Ness is visible from the 699-metre top, with the panorama even extending as far as Ben Nevis on a clear day. Some parts of the path along the broad ridge are a little boggy and eroded, but we’re not complaining; having a path at all is a bit of a luxury in these parts!
📷 Chronological photo guide
View of the summit from near the start 
Wooded first section 
Wooded first section 
Views of Loch Ness once the path leaves the trees] 
Joining the ridge 
Meall Fuar-mhonaidh 
Hairy monster 
The hill path follows the top of a small ridge 
Loch Ness 
Loch Ness 
Approaching the first, eastern summit 
Loch Ness & Foyers 
Foot of Loch Ness from the east top 
Head of Loch Ness from the slightly higher, west top 
Looking northwest
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish at minor road end, Grotaig, 4 mi south of Drumnadrochit
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NH 491238
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 57.280035,-4.504769
❌ No public transport within 1 mi
🚗 Car park (gets full)
📝 Key info
▶ 9 km / 6 mi | ▲ 540 m | ⌛ 3.5-4 hr
Features: △ Meall Fuar-mhonaidh (699 m, “Torbett”)
⬤ Tough | Hill path throughout with quite a few eroded sections, sometimes boggy. Easy route for the grade given.
Download file for GPS➡️ Out-and-back walk: start – join ridge at 🧭 NH 477238 – Meall Fuar-mhonaidh – return by outward route
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Stonechats, a shrew, hairy caterpillars, small fish in Grotaig Burn.
Weather: Sunny with scattered clouds and temperature in high teens at the car park. Buffeting wind higher up.
July 2020
