Knockan Crag Walk
This walk visit the wonderful Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve within the North West Highlands Geopark in the Assynt region of Scotland.
On the walk there's some spectacular limestone scenery with a variety of interesting plant species to look out for too. Keep your eyes peeled for birds including kestrels and ring ouzel as you make your way through the area.
The site includes a car parking area where you can pick up a circular trail for just over a mile. Just to the west there's also Lochan an Ais where you can enjoy some stunning views over the clear waters to the surrounding mountains.
To continue your walking in the area you could head north to visit the waterside trails and the 15th century Ardvreck Castle at Loch Assynt. Also not too far is Eas a' Chual Aluinn, the highest waterfall in the UK.
Knockan Crag Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Knockan Crag Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Knockan Crag OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Knockan Crag Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
The Lochinver River Walk will take you along the River Inver which flows between Lochinver and Loch Assynt. You can also visit the peaceful Culag Woods and enjoy some interesting sculptures in Lochinver.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Knockan Crag. The plant life at Knockan Crag is significantly shaped by the area's geology. Soils in regions underlain by limestone, fucoid beds, and salterella grits are nutrient-rich and support diverse vegetation, including species like mountain avens and rock sedge. In contrast, areas where the bedrock is Moine schist typically feature wet heath and blanket bogs, with a distinct transition between these two types of vegetation evident on the plateau above the crags.
Rock Art. The site also hosts artworks such as 'The Globe' by Joe Smith (pictured here) and 'Pipeworm’ by Susheila Jamieson that were commissioned to highlight the inspiration that the landscape has had on artists and poets. Lochan an Ais is in the background.
Lochan an Ais.
Permanent visitors
Sculpture on Knockan Crag. "Thrust" without the scarlet-clad figure
Crag Top Trail, Knockan Crag. The plant life at Knockan Crag is heavily shaped by its underlying geology. Areas with limestone, fucoid beds, and salterella grits support richer vegetation, including species such as mountain avens and rock sedge. In contrast, regions underlain by Moine schists primarily host wet heath and blanket bog. This variation in vegetation is particularly evident on the plateau above the crags, where small limestone knolls are interspersed with peat-filled areas. Knockan Crag is also home to a variety of bird species, including kestrels, ravens, and ring ouzels, alongside songbirds like dunnocks, wrens, stonechats, and meadow pipits. Red- and black-throated divers are frequently seen at nearby Lochan an Ais during the winter and spring, making them observable from the crag. Additionally, red deer are a common sight as they traverse the site.