Contin

Home to squirrels, pine martens and a beautiful mixture of trees

There’s something for everyone in this popular woodland to the west of Contin. From a lovely flat, short trail and picnic benches under tall pines, to tough uphill climbs and long views over Strathconon.

In winter, Contin is busy with mountain-bikers, as they prepare for the annual 24-hour endurance race held here each year. You can ride a forest road to Rogie Falls, or go foraging in quiet groves of native birch and oak. The forest stretches on for miles and is home to roe and red deer, red squirrels, butterflies and birds.

Walking trails

Contin route card (PDF)

Walking

Black Water Trail

Soak up the sounds of the forest and the Black Water river on this gentle stroll through the pines.

Mostly flat, wide and smooth gravel surface. Includes a few short gentle slopes.

½ miles / 0.7 km

Allow
¼ hour

More information

This short trail is ideal if you have limited time. Small children love spotting red squirrels and gathering pine cones, dogs like the dark mysterious conifer groves and exotic smells. It's definitely one for the whole family to enjoy.

Walking

View Rock Trail

Climb through classic pine and heather woodland to reach a rocky viewpoint with lovely views over Strathconon.

Long steep slopes for up to half a mile. Firm gravel surface throughout. Short optional section to viewpoint is rough and rocky.

2 ¾ miles / 4.5 km

Allow
2 hours

More information

You'll pass through different areas of forest including mature oak and birch groves, pine woods where red squirrels scamper and open heather where blaeberries hide in the undergrowth.

Activities

Go play!

Cycling or walking through the forest from Contin to Rogie Falls is very popular but you can also make up your own mountain bike route using the network of forest roads and informal paths. You'll come across slippery tree roots, lumpy rocks and some lovely twisting singletrack.

Go wild in winter

If you delight in attempting the impossible on a bike then the Strathpuffer 24 is right up your street. It's probably the only 24 hour mountain bike endurance event where you'll need studs for your tyres and a spare headtorch. Why? Because it takes place in January, when there are fewer than 8 hours of daylight and the trails can be thick with snow.

Facilities and access

Walking

Toilets

Mountain biking

Parking (charge)

All ability trails

Viewpoint

Picnic area

Toilets at Contin are open from April to October.

There is a small shop less than a mile (1.6 km) away in Contin and you'll find other toilets, shops and places to eat in nearby Strathpeffer, where there's also an excellent bike shop.

Car parking information 

Parking charges will be introduced at Contin on 1 April 2024.

The charges to park at Contin will be:

• £2 for up to 1 hour
• £3 for up to 3 hours
• £4 for all day – car (up to 7 seats)
• £12 per minibus or coach all day

Payment can be made using RingGo.

Please park with care and consideration. In particular please park in designated parking areas only and do not block entrances or gates. Nearby car parks with free parking can be found in our local forest list without the £ symbol. 

Annual parking pass available:

Available in advance by downloading the relevant application form and emailing to the Regional Office. Please read our Annual Pass terms and conditions before applying.

More parking info

Getting here

From Inverness, follow the A9 north to the Tore roundabout. Take the second exit onto the A835 (for Ullapool and Dingwall) and stay on this road for 11 ¾ miles (18 km). On the far side of Contin you'll see the forest signs on your right. Turn here and follow the road through buildings to the car park.

Using SatNav?

Nearest postcode: IV14 9EF

Public transport

There's a regular bus service between Inverness and Contin village, about ¼ mile (1.2 km) from the forest. You'll find timetables at Traveline Scotland.

Get directions