River Glass and Strathglass Valley Walk
Highlands
Strathglass is the fertile valley of the River Glass south of Beauly, running from the confluence of Glen Affric, Glen Cannich and Glen Strathfarrar to the broader Beauly Firth. The river itself is one of the clearest and most beautiful in the region, running over a gravel and boulder bed through a mix of riverside woodland, farmland and open Highland valley. The walk from Struy follows the river upstream and returns via a higher path through the hillside birch and alder woodland above the valley floor, with views south towards the Affric hills and north across the Beauly basin.
This is a relaxed and genuinely dog friendly walk in a part of the Highlands that sees far fewer visitors than the nearby famous glens. The River Glass provides outstanding swimming access at multiple points along the route, with deep green pools and shingle beaches that are ideal for dogs. Off-lead potential is moderate, with leads needed through the farmland sections where sheep are regularly grazed. The woodland sections above the valley are more open. The walk is well-suited to dogs of all ages given the flat riverside character of the valley floor. A quiet, deeply pleasant outing that rewards those willing to look beyond the more signposted attractions of the area.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 9.0 km (5.6 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 3 hr
- Walk Type
- River, Woodland, Forest
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
Been here? Check these facts for us
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to River Glass and Strathglass Valley Walk, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
The Highlander's Rest - Affric Lodge
Sleeps 4 · 3 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £494 / 7 nights
Booking links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices are a guide only and change with dates and availability.
All dog friendly stays in HighlandsDog Friendly Hotels Nearby
The closest dog friendly hotels to River Glass and Strathglass Valley Walk. Every dog fact comes from the hotel's own website.
Booking links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.
All dog friendly hotels in HighlandVisitor Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience.
What’s Nearby?
Walk6.1 mi awayFalls of Foyers, Loch Ness
Highlands
A compact woodland walk on the eastern shore of Loch Ness to a spectacular 30-metre waterfall that inspired Robert Burns, with good off-lead forest paths and a Loch Ness shoreline section for dogs to swim.
Walk8.4 mi awayPlodda Falls Circular Walk
Highlands
A short but dramatic forest walk to a spectacular 46-metre waterfall in Glen Affric, set among towering Douglas firs and with an overhanging viewpoint platform above the falls.
Walk10 mi awayDog Falls and Coire Loch, Glen Affric
Highlands
A pine-shaded loop for dogs to roam and paddle in the River Affric, past Dog Falls to a lochan and glen views for their humans.
Walk11.1 mi awayReelig Glen Tall Trees Walk, Moniack
Highlands
Shade, a burn to drink from and soft paths make this easy Reelig Glen loop good for dogs, while humans get Britain's tallest tree and a famine-relief bridge.
Walk13.1 mi awayLoch Ness Great Glen Way Section (Fort Augustus)
Highlands
A lochside and woodland section of the Great Glen Way along the southern shore of Loch Ness, offering easy flat walking with iconic Highland water views and good off-lead potential through the trees.
Walk16.9 mi awayRogie Falls Circular Walk
Highlands
A compact woodland walk to a spectacular salmon-leap waterfall on the Black Water, with wide forest paths and the spectacle of salmon clearing the falls in autumn.