In the Forsinard Flows National Nature Reserve, you can experience the Flow Country on foot and enjoy views of its lochans. The nature reserve is part of the Flow Country, which was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2024—the first World Heritage Site in the world for peatlands. Trails, viewpoints and birdwatching offer different ways to shape your stay.
Moorland and birdwatching
The nature reserve is an extensive landscape of blanket bog, protected straths and mountains. Depending on the season, you may spot golden plovers, dunlins, greenshanks, hen harriers, skylarks and meadow pipits along its trails. A walk is therefore about more than reaching a destination: the landscape along the trails also offers opportunities for seasonal birdwatching.
On foot to the Flows Lookout
The Dubh Lochans Trail is one mile long and takes approximately 45 minutes. It leads through peatland areas with lochans to the Flows Lookout. The viewpoint offers views over the system of lochans and the surrounding landscape. Its length and approximate duration provide a practical framework for planning this walk.
The boardwalk on the Dubh-lochain Trail offers relatively easy access for a wide range of people. Together with the route to the Flows Lookout, this makes the trail an option for focusing a walk on both the lochans and the views across the landscape.
Getting there and finding your way around
The nature reserve’s visitor centre and toilets are in the old railway station building in Forsinard, next to the level crossing. The surfaced Forsinard Car Park serves the visitor centre, the Flows Lookout and the Dubh Lochan Trail; it is also shared with the railway station. The RSPB Forsinard Flows National Nature Reserve can be reached by train, car or bicycle.
In summer, RSPB Scotland staff regularly lead guided walks in the area. If you are planning to join one, it is worth checking the dates for your travel period. This lets you choose between exploring independently and joining a guided walk.
More trails and landscape history
Near Forsinard, the waymarked Forsinain Trail passes through peatlands and forest areas in the heart of the Flow Country. Along the way, you can see peatland restoration in progress. This adds another perspective to the moorland and birdwatching: the changing landscape and restoration of peatlands.
The Forsinard Flows and Tower trail also offers a historical perspective on the landscape. The channels and mounds along the trail were formed over the years by peat cutting. The trail descriptions therefore each have a different focus: the Dubh Lochans Trail combines lochans with a viewpoint, the Forsinain Trail combines forest areas with the opportunity to see peatland restoration, and Forsinard Flows and Tower draws attention to a landscape shaped by peat cutting.
Discover more destinations: Nethy Bridge, Forres, Wick, Dalwhinnie, Torridon, Invermoriston, Spean Bridge, Contin.
For the main travel overview: Highland.
