Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve is a national nature reserve located within the North West Highlands Geopark. This area is defined by its unique "cnoc and lochan" landscape, featuring ancient crags and pools that expose some of the world's oldest rocks. The terrain, shaped by significant geological features like the Moine Thrust, offers varied elevations and expansive views across the Assynt mountains, making it suitable for several sports like road cycling, touring cycling, and hiking.
The Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve provides opportunities for outdoor activities focused on its distinctive geological landscape. Hikers can explore waymarked trails that lead to key geological features and offer views of the surrounding mountains. For those interested in cycling, the reserve is situated along the North Coast 500 route, making it a notable stop for touring cyclists exploring the Scottish Highlands. The surrounding roads offer scenic routes for road cycling. Across these activities, more than 2,000 visitors have shared their experiences, resulting in an average rating of 4.44 out of 5 stars for the routes in the area. To discover specific options, explore guides such as Hiking around Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve, Road Cycling Routes around Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve, and Cycling around Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve.
18
Routes
4.7
(238)
Average rating
2519
People visited

4.8
(197)
1,512
hikers
4.24km
01:57
440m
440m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(26)
252
hikers
2.05km
00:47
90m
90m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

16
hikers
8.84km
03:35
590m
590m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.0
(1)
9
hikers
7.01km
03:44
670m
670m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
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5.0
(2)
114
riders
106km
05:03
1,360m
1,360m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(2)
73
riders
76.3km
03:29
850m
850m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

200
riders
104km
05:08
1,630m
1,630m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

73
riders
141km
07:02
2,260m
2,260m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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4.7
(3)
41
riders
107km
06:50
1,330m
1,330m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(2)
27
riders
75.9km
04:46
820m
820m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

45
riders
104km
06:56
1,630m
1,630m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

5.0
(1)
52
riders
64.7km
04:19
980m
980m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve is a geological site located within the North West Highlands Geopark. It is renowned for its unique "cnoc and lochan" landscape and the Moine Thrust, a significant geological fault. The reserve offers insights into Earth's ancient history and views of the Assynt mountains.
Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve provides opportunities for hiking, road cycling, and touring cycling. The reserve features waymarked trails for walking, and its location along the North Coast 500 makes it a stop for cyclists. More than 2,000 visitors have shared experiences, with routes averaging 4.44 out of 5 stars on komoot.
Yes, Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve offers several waymarked hiking trails. These include a path to the Rock Room, the Thrust Trail leading to the Moine Thrust, and the Quarry Trail. The steep Crag Top Trail provides expansive views across Coigach and Assynt. For more details, see Hiking around Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve.
While the reserve's internal trails are for walking, the surrounding area offers scenic roads for cycling. Knockan Crag is situated along the North Coast 500 route, popular with touring cyclists. Specific road cycling routes can be explored through the komoot guide Road Cycling Routes around Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve.
Yes, Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve is a notable stop for touring cyclists. It is located along the North Coast 500 route, a popular choice for exploring the Scottish Highlands by bike. Cyclists can dismount to experience the geological site. Find more information in the guide Cycling around Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve.
The primary geological feature is the Moine Thrust, where older rocks were pushed over younger ones. This site was crucial in understanding continental collision. The area also features a "cnoc and lochan" landscape with crags and pools, exposing some of the world's oldest rocks. Views of the Assynt mountains are also prominent.
Yes, the reserve offers trails suitable for various fitness levels, including the easier Quarry Trail. The Rock Room visitor center provides an educational experience for all ages. The sculpture and poetry trails also enhance the visitor experience for families.
Information regarding dog-friendliness is not explicitly provided in the available data. Visitors are advised to check the official NatureScot website or contact the reserve directly for current policies on dogs.
Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 2,000 visitors sharing their experiences. The routes in the area have received an average rating of 4.44 out of 5 stars from over 200 ratings. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among users.
Komoot offers several guides for the area, including Road Cycling Routes around Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve, Cycling around Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve, and Hiking around Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve. These guides provide specific options for various activities.
For official information, visit the NatureScot website, which manages the reserve. The official website is NatureScot. You can also contact them by phone at +44 1463 701600 for direct inquiries.
The Moine Thrust at Knockan Crag is globally significant for its role in understanding how continents collide. It demonstrates how older rocks were thrust over younger ones due to tectonic action, a discovery that revolutionized geological understanding in the 19th century. It is a key site in the North West Highlands Geopark.
Yes, the reserve integrates art and nature with stunning sculptures and evocative poetry. Poetry by Norman MacCaig is carved into the rock, enhancing the visitor experience. These artistic elements complement the natural beauty and geological significance of the site.

