Are you based in Inverness & training for the Highland Cross?
As a bit of fun to show support for the 2025 Highland Cross, we've created an almost inch-perfect simulation of their classic walk / run route - but starting from Inverness!
We received hugely generous grant funding from the 2023 Highland Cross, purchasing a brand new Renault Trafic 9-seater. That money was raised by all the hundreds of stalwart participants who trained hard to get ready for the challenge. Some of our own Àban staff team are taking part in the 2025 'Cross, and we continue to support the event with the van + volunteer driver each year. Here's something spice up your training as this year's event draws closer.
The distance and height gain profile are a near-perfect match for the real thing, but without heading into any really remote terrain.
- Start at Inverness Rowing Club, running along the canal all the way to Dochgarroch.
- Cross the A82 with care, then follow this route through Dochfour Estate, climbing steeply on landrover tracks until you reach the Blackfold road.
- At Blackfold itself, briefly cross the Great Glen Way (you'll be coming back here in a minute!) and follow this way through the woods up to An Leacainn trig point.
- Return the way you came, and turn towards the west when you hit the Great Glen Way. Are you ready for this? This is the sore bit - the equivalent of the infamous "Yellow Brick Road".
- Follow GGW all the way to Abriachan Forest Trust entrance, turn left and left again to follow the road all the way back to the finish line at Blackfold.
Now you'll just need a buddy to pick you up from the car park...
There's great phone signal the whole way. However map & compass and all your usual sensible hill safety precautions are still recommended for this route - you're never far from a road but accidents happen in the most benign of places. Take care and go safely.
View the full route here - and export to a GPS device
In 2023 we received a brand new Renault Trafic 9-seater from the Highland Cross. This transformed our ability to deliver our charitable outdoor youth clubs. There's simply no way we could have afforded an asset like this without the support of the Cross. We use public transport for a lot of our introductory sessions, but the vehicle has been all over the Highlands already, from Skye to Sutherland to Perthshire, with children who often have not had the chance to leave Inverness. We remain so grateful to the whole Highland Cross community.
If you're doing the 'Cross as a walker, don't forget you can borrow pretty much everything you need from our free-of-charge Gear Library. Boots, waterproofs, rucksack, clothing - it's all here at our base on Grant Street.
Most importantly, here's a shout out to the brilliant local charities in line for major grants at this year's event: