The Silver Walk (Ardnamurchan)

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The Silver Walk (Ardnamurchan): Loch Moidart's rocky coastal classic

Published 17 July 2025 Updated 5 June 2026

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HikeList Score

The Silver Walk (Ardnamurchan) scored 82/100 on HikeList's trail-quality metrics.

Great Hike

See score breakdownHide breakdown

Ideal length 55
Balanced challenge 100
Scenery & wildness 98
Varied terrain 77
Accommodation 83
Food & support 61
Path quality 98
Season flexibility 89

Computed from length, challenge, scenery & wildness, terrain variety, accommodation, food & support, path quality and season flexibility.

The Silver Walk is a 6.5 km one-way coastal path on the north shore of Loch Moidart in Lochaber, north-west Highlands of Scotland. It is a 1-day, moderate walk, but feels strenuous in places for its length: expect rocky steps, exposed drops, boggy ground and slippery sections after rain. It suits confident day hikers who want a short, wild west-coast route with sea-loch views, Atlantic oakwoods, ruined settlements and Castle Tioram at the finish.

Route Overview

The classic line runs between the Forestry car park near Ardmolich / Kinlochmoidart off the A861 and Castle Tioram / Dorlin car park at the mouth of Loch Moidart. It can be walked in either direction, but it is linear: most walkers either retrace their steps for a roughly 12.6 km outing or arrange a pick-up at Dorlin. The path passes above small pebble bays, salt marsh, oak and birch woodland, Port a' Bhata deserted township, and views across Eilean Shona, Riska, Shona Beag and Eilean an Fheidh. For longer Scottish coastal itineraries, compare the Arran Coastal Way, Assynt Coastal Path or Beinn Eighe Mountain Trail.

Silver coins, clearances and Castle Tioram

The Silver Walk was built in the late 19th century as an engineered estate path, cut into the rocky shore and built up above Loch Moidart in places. Its name comes from a reported hoard of Elizabethan silver coins found during construction, though a local legend links it to stolen silver hidden along the route. At Port a' Bhata, ruined house outlines and field walls reflect mid-19th-century Highland Clearances. Castle Tioram, on tidal Eilean Tioram, was a Clanranald stronghold and is now a fenced ruin closed internally.

Notable highlights

Castle Tioram (tidal island fortress): A 13th-century Clanranald stronghold at the mouth of Loch Moidart, reached across a sandbar at low tide. The interior is closed for safety, but the ruined exterior is the walk’s set-piece.
Port a' Bhata deserted township: This cleared coastal settlement, meaning “bay of boats”, has visible house outlines and field walls beside the path. It is a direct, sobering trace of the Highland Clearances.
Loch Moidart and Eilean Shona: The route gives repeated views over a quiet sea loch dotted with wooded islands, including Eilean Shona. Watch for otters, sea eagles, herons, cormorants and waders along the shore.
The engineered Victorian path: Sections were blasted from the hillside or built above the water, making the route far more dramatic than its short distance suggests. This construction is also tied to the silver-coin origin story.
Atlantic oakwoods: Mossy oak and birch woodland fringe parts of the shore. These Atlantic woodland sections are especially rewarding in spring and early summer.

Challenges to expect

Do not judge this walk by distance alone. The path has steep rocky steps, exposed unprotected drops, boulders, fallen trees, muddy or boggy ground, and slippery shale after rain. West Highland weather is wet and changeable year-round, so waterproofs and sound footwear matter. Castle Tioram’s tidal access also requires care: the ruin can be viewed from outside, but entry is not permitted.

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Ranked #388 of 974

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