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Lochan a Choire below the cliffs of Coire Ardair, Creag Meagaidh

Autumn Gold at Creag Meagaidh: Our Moderate Walking Week Begins in Coire Àrdair

Oct 12, 2026 | Scottish Highlands, Hiking, Walking Breaks, Walking Holidays

by

Distant Hills Guest House B&B Spean Bridge

A new week, a new group and a favourite walk to begin with. Our second autumn Distant Hills Walking Holiday is under way, and our Moderate Walking group started in style at Creag Meagaidh, on the path to the lochan in Coire Àrdair.

After last week’s Harder Walking week, it was lovely to welcome a brand new group through the door. Introductions were made over breakfast, boots were laced, and after the short drive along Loch Laggan we gathered at the reserve car park for the first group photo of the week.

Distant Hills moderate walking holiday group at the Creag Meagaidh car park
Welcome to Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve sign
Walking group getting ready at the start of the Coire Ardair path

Through the Birch Woods

Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve is about 25 minutes from the guest house, and it is one of our favourite places to start a moderate week. The walk to the lochan is around 12km there and back with about 430m of ascent, on a good path that climbs steadily all the way. You can see the route on Walkhighlands.

The first part of the path winds up through the reserve’s regenerating woodland, where birch and rowan are steadily reclaiming the hillside. In October it is a blaze of colour: golden birch leaves, copper bracken and rowans heavy with bright red berries. When we were last here in March, on a wintry start to the 2026 season, the same path was buried under knee-deep snow. What a difference a few months makes!

Walkers on the path through autumn birch woods at Creag Meagaidh
Rowan berries at Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve
Woodland path in autumn at Creag Meagaidh

Into the Glen

Above the trees the path swings round into the long glen that leads to the heart of the mountain. With the woods behind us, the views opened out back down towards Loch Laggan, and ahead the great cliffs of Coire Àrdair slowly came into sight, their tops wrapped in cloud. It is the kind of path that lets you find your rhythm, chat to your new walking companions and simply enjoy being out.

Walking group on the path to Coire Ardair
Two walkers on the Coire Ardair path in autumn
Looking back down the glen from the Coire Ardair path

Lochan a’ Choire

And then, quite suddenly, you are there. Lochan a’ Choire sits right at the foot of the cliffs of Creag Meagaidh, a dark, still lochan in a huge amphitheatre of rock. It is one of the great sights of the Central Highlands, and a perfect spot for lunch.

For most of us that meant sandwiches and a flask. For one brave member of the group it meant a swim! We watched, well wrapped up, with a mixture of admiration and disbelief.

Lochan a Choire below the cliffs of Coire Ardair, Creag Meagaidh
Walking group beside Lochan a Choire
A walker taking a swim in Lochan a Choire

A Great Start to the Week

The walk back down gave us all those views again in reverse, with the autumn colours glowing even on a grey day. Best of all were the smiles. A first day is always about getting to know each other, and by the time we were back at the cars it felt as though this group had been walking together for years.

Smiling walker among the autumn bracken at Creag Meagaidh
Two walkers smiling on the Coire Ardair path
Smiling walker in a blue hat among autumn colours

What’s Next?

Walker on the path with the glen behind
Walker striding along the Coire Ardair path
Loch Laggan from Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve

One walk down and three still to come, with tea and cake waiting back at Distant Hills.

As always in the Highlands, the big question remains: what do the weather gods have in store for us tomorrow?

The Distant Hills Difference

A walking holiday is about more than just the trails. With Distant Hills Guest House as your base, you’ll enjoy:

  • Comfortable 4-star rooms with luxury bedding
  • Delicious cooked breakfasts every morning
  • Packed lunches for walking days
  • Homemade cakes and afternoon tea after your hike
  • Our outdoor hot tub to relax sore muscles
  • A friendly, sociable atmosphere with like-minded walkers

Join Us in 2027

Want to join us for a week of mountain magic? Our 2027 Walking Holiday dates are now live. With a maximum of just 10 places per holiday and no single supplement for solo travellers, these weeks fill up incredibly quickly.

Spring 2027 (Moderate Hill Walking)

  • Sunday 4th April – Saturday 10th April
  • Price: £945 per person

Autumn 2027

  • Sunday 26th Sept – Saturday 2nd Oct (Moderate)
  • Sunday 3rd Oct – Saturday 9th Oct (Moderate)
  • Sunday 10th Oct – Saturday 16th Oct (Harder)
  • Price: £945 per person

Whether you are looking for a spring awakening or an autumnal challenge, we offer the full package of professional guiding, award-winning 4-star accommodation, and the best walking company in Scotland. Check out our Walking Holidays page to secure your spot!

Distant Hills Guest House, winners of Four in a Bed
Walking holiday group on the hillside at Coire Ardair

Dani Mackinnon

Hi, I’m Dani, the author of this blog and the lucky co-owner of Distant Hills Guest House in the glorious Scottish Highlands. I love sharing my passion for life, the mountains and the great outdoors.

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