5k Run Inverness: Scenic Loop Around Craig Phadrig

Route Overview & Local Insights

This 5.3km loop offers a fantastic blend of paved surfaces and rugged woodland trails, making it a favorite for Inverness runners looking to escape the city streets. Starting from Leachkin Brae Road, you’ll tackle a challenging 185m of ascent as you climb toward the summit of Craig Phadrig. The terrain is notably hilly, providing a solid workout for the glutes and calves, but the effort is rewarded with sweeping views of the Beauly Firth. Expect a mixture of smooth asphalt for the first half and winding forest tracks as you circle back through the atmospheric Blackpark area.

Steeped in Highland legend, Craig Phadrig was once the site of a majestic vitrified hillfort, believed to be the seat of the Pictish King Brude in the 6th century. Local lore suggests that Saint Columba visited this very spot to convert the Picts to Christianity. As you weave through the Scots Pine and larch trees, you are quite literally running through ancient history. The forest is also a haven for local wildlife; keep your eyes peeled for red squirrels and roe deer that frequent the quieter stretches of the trail near the northern edge of the loop.