5 stars
Sid Cox - England
October 2011
The warden was very friendly and helpful, giving welcome and useful advice about walking routes. Was pleased to learn that we would not have to carry our waste (food packaging) out with us, as the warden would do it.
4 stars
Duncan - Scotland
4.5 stars
steve - Ireland (Northern)
September 2011
Enjoyable but quite strenous mountain bike ride in - be prepared to get wet!
Stephen - Scotland
This is a unique opportunity to experience the glorious wilderness of Scotlands countryside in very welcoming surroundings.
Glen Affric - Scotland
The cycle in from the Glen Affric car park is at least 2 hours not one hour as some guide books state. Great location with comfortable facilities.
MunroBagger06 - England
A fabulous place for a "get-away" experience with a very welcoming and friendly warden. The hostel is well-placed for climbing several of the Glen Affric munros, so a three- or four-night stay is recommended!
Rgds from Munich - Germany
Wonderful place in the middle of nowhere - don't expect the Ritz, but expect a cosy and inviting place with great staff running it.
Mairéad - Ireland (Republic)
If you are wondering about going to Glenaffric then you're half way there. Stay over at Alltbeithe because there is so much to do in the valley, I am only a lowley walker, no big scary Monroes for me but I wouldn't have missed Glenaffic for the world. Travel light, if you take the An Caorann Mor route in make sure you have waterproof footwear, can be very boggy! If you're not too tired after all that Monroe bagging, Fab. way out is to go from Alltbeithe to Morvich though it is a longer way and it depends on where you have left your transport. It took me from 8.50am to 2.30pm at a handy pace, It's an amazing experience and the two days I spent there were not enough. I'll be back.....
Pam Brown - Scotland
Make sure you take a WARM sleeping bag. Other than that, facilities are as good as other hostels
aj - Switzerland
beatiful path and romantic surroundings. A good chance to leave the car behind for a while!
pde - England
August 2011
hard to get to but definitely worth it. how youth hostelling used to be.
Gwen - Scotland
There isn't much space and it is definitely basic but it is impeccably looked after with a very well equipped kitchen and cosy fires. And what a location!
Sadoldpunk - France
Vicky B - Scotland
This is a wee gem of a hostel, in a superb location. I made a second visit this season and had another excellent stay. Colin the Warden is a most accomodating and amiable host. It was great to see some of his ideas for improvement taking place and I'm already looking forward to returning next season. I can't rate this hostel highly enough!
Ros - England
Victoria S - Glasgow - Scotland
Very friendly and welcoming. Cosy kitchen and atmosphere. Thanks Colin for a great stay.
D Wilkinson - Scotland
Bring midge repellant!
3.5 stars
George the fish - Scotland
Midgie net & deet reqd. If walking from/to Cannich take south or North path in and reverse on way out.
Scott&Lynda - Scotland
Pat - Scotland
Thoroughly enjoyed my short stay in Altbeithe, fabulour location, allowed me to do my 2nd last munro, without having to rush out, even more knackered than I was, also met some lovely people, to share the experience with, and the warden, Colin, is a very welcoming host, to many weary walkers, wonderful place to visit, would love to go back and just chill out.
Shades - England
This hostel is very remote but contributes to the adventure. Colin at the hostel is great and really works hard helping you to dry any wet gear as well as ensuring the fires stay lit so that there is sufficient hot water for Showering Everyone should try out this hostel once as a base to conquer some remote but fun munros
Sunshine junkie - Scotland
Only cycle in if you have a good mountain bike and are confident on rough terrain - quite bumpy; would say its not for casual cyclists (like me).
ddd - England
Hana - New Zealand
spbiggs - Scotland
July 2011
BlaBheinn - Scotland
Brian - England
Remote and basic, but stunning. One of the best places I've been to, but the weather was kind. I'll be back, this time with a sleeping bag! Colin is a brilliant host. Enjoy.
David Crowley - Wales
a unique setting, very atmospheric and isolated. Well worth the trudge in and out. A visit to a crashed second war bomber coincides with seeing Golden Eagles.
seb - Germany
Colin Welsh - Scotland
honeymoon - Switzerland
June 2011
BRIANS - England
DMcG - Scotland
Walked in from the River Affric car park. Took just under 3 hours on easy to follow trail. Hostel is well equipped considering it's remote location. Would recommend bringing a sleeping bag even in summer months though. It was still quite chilly in June. Spent a lovely evening chatting and playing cards with some of the other guests- a very friendly hostel.
KW - Scotland
Affric - Scotland
Harrison - Scotland
Lovely hostel in a remote spot. Weather can be a bit unpredictable though, so take waterproofs, a warm sleeping bag, and spare clothes.
Florence - Peoples Republic of China
****** - England
SteveC - England
May 2011
Keltic Kelly - Scotland
Cycled in to hostel (in a manner of fashion from Glen Affric). South shore (5 miles) not too bad (pushed bike up most inclines). However second section from Altnamullach to Hostel (Murder!) It had been (was) raining a lot and many burns interesecting the path were running fast. The burn nearest the hostel was particularly nasty and with more rain could have proved extremely difficult to cross! Cycle (or rather push in ) took me about 3 hours with my bike, and about 2.45 hrs to get back out, but did save a good bit of time both ways. The Hostel was a very welcome sight with a very friendly and helpful warden (Mark?). Great camraderie experienced, a wee bit cold in the dorm (could have done with a couple of blankets) but I 'm probably too fussy! I did the two Munros behind the Hostel (took me about 9 hours - but I 'm not very fit!) Generally crap conditions for May but I still enjoyed my "excursion" . Snow showers on summits and care needed particularly on descents. A brilliant loca
Pensioner - Wales
Great hostel, pleasant and helpful warden, but don't forget to book - it is very popular.
Emma - Scotland
grannywalker - Scotland
Lovely hostel, great walk in...don't forget your camera
Ileach - Scotland
Alltbeithe is like an oasis. To make the best of it don't retrace your steps, walk on and enjoy the experience of mountain travel.
JAYBEE - Scotland
Johnny 99 - England
A remote hostel in a wonderful location. Recommended especially if you are doing the remote Munros in the area. It's great to see sustainable energy in action after all the talk about this subject.
wandering - Wales
we walked in and stayed a couple of nights just for the experience while we still could! well worth the effort. very enthusiastic and friendly manager. spectacular scenery at the hostel and on the walk there and back from the car park. only down side 2 large bunkrooms in a separate building without heat but the hostel itself was surprisingly cosy for a shed in the middle of nowhere!
Tommaso D'Odorico. - England
Staying in Glen Affric has been a truly wonderful experience, the guy managing it is very friendly and we kept chatting with him and other guests for hours while we were there... For such a location the hostel is brilliant, of course you need to adapt to circumstances: the hostel is small, water is from the river and you've got to take all the supplies with you (but we knew that already anyway)... but it is really worth the price! Keep it up, and I wonder if in the future it will be possible to go in the winter too... that would be even more spectacular I think!
emoney - United States of America
erbe - Germany
Had a fantastic stay at the Glen Affric YH. It's vital for gaining access to the Glen and beyond. Considering it's location, the hostel is comfortable with good facilites. The manager was very welcoming, providing information and advice and tick removal equipment! I walked from the Glen Affric car park, staying overnight before continuing to Sheil Bridge the following day. My only regret is that I didn't stay longer. It was a beautiful, remote walk and I can't wait to return.
Mayweed - Wales
gabi - Germany
September 2010
JE - Wales
Barry - Scotland
Caught the Citylink coach to Cluanie Inn and walked in over Ciste Dhubh. Spent a few nigjhts at the hostel and walked out over Beinn Fhada and A' Ghlas-bheinn to Kintail Lodge and the Citylink coach back south. Really efficient coach services from Glasgow.
Grinner13 - Scotland
2.5 stars
Jen - England
A hostel that lends itself to a lovely walk from Cannich - stay overnight at Glen Affric - then walk out to Morvich the next day.
PTP - Scotland
A great lttle hostel with spectactular scenery, and surprisingly busy. It took about 3 hours to walk in from the car park in Glen Affric.
Dave - England
Enjoy the wilderness experience at this wonderful location, but ensure you come prepared with all of your food/drink requirements for your stay and be prepared for everything the scottish mountain weather can bring. Don't forget the midge repellant
Casanach - Scotland
None existant. Please observe my privacy. - England
Walk in from Affric. Good tracks, 3.5 hours for 65 year olds. Everyone coming from Cluanie said how awful the path was.
Anonymous - Scotland
cube - Scotland
ANN O'NIMUS - Ireland (Republic)
August 2010
IN AUGUST IT MAY BE MIDGEY!
Angus - Scotland
Dont get to the hostel late! Lights out and silence, (even in the communal areas) at 11pm!
Ali - Scotland
This really is the middle of nowhere so don't forget midge repellent, food and a sleeping bag!
xxx - Scotland
3 stars
Telima - Germany
If you plan a visit there, bring some fresh vegetables or fruits - the staff will apreciate it...
TGOer - England
A fantastic remote hostel
Ron McA - Scotland
traveller - Scotland
July 2010
Drumlin - Scotland
A wonderfully remote and 'primitive' hostel. Don't expect modern comforts like a microwave, fridge, or mobile phone reception, but isn't it lovely to realise you don't need those? Long may it stay this way, and maintain its inevitably friendly atmosphere. Excellent walking in all directions. The cycle in from Glen Affric end was exhilarating! But beware of midges at Glen Affric carpark.
PGR - England
Navigator21 - England
A long walk in, but well worth the effort: a brilliant location, friendly staff, and facilities surprisingly good for the remoteness of the location. Our only regret that we did not book for an extra night. June 2010.
Bob Evans - Wales
sylvsam - Scotland
keith - England
Approaching from the East on foot, the hostel appears deceptively close, but is a long slog of winding bends in the track until reaching your destination. On leaving and walking West we nearly missed our turning because we followed the track rather than cross the footbridge to the right. It's a vital hostel to enable the walk throught the Glen..Thanks SYHA.
merrick - England
Drumlanrig - Scotland
Enjoyed the hostel, staff were great and the location is superb. Humped in over high ridge with two Munro's from Clunie, a full pack , three days food and a bottle of shiraz. I'm not as fit as I thought I was!
steve miller - Scotland
Deekay - Scotland
June 2010
none
Old Codger - Scotland
A wonderful atmospheric place even and possibly even especially when it is raining. I will be back. Good facilities despite its remoteness. Walk in from the South in shorter, a bit boggy but a fairly easy 9km.
Mark - England
A unique UK hostelling experience - take Explorer map 398 Loch Morar & Mallaig (NOT 399 Glen Affric - which finishes just after the end of tarmac road) to find hostel. Cycling in from Cannich direction - path to south of loch is easier but goes up higher than that to the north - which is arguably more scenic - but more challenging to ride.
Ian - England
The route from the west is not really cyclable. We came from Ratagan and had a hard 2 hour push / carry over the pass before dropping down into Glen Afric but it was worth it for the adventure!
BTD - Scotland
Eeyore - Scotland
A sleeping bag is useful as only warm blankets are provided. There is no fridge.
ivan suys - Belgium
noname - Scotland
If coming by bike you can really only cycle as far as the bridge.
deerhunter - Scotland
Great hostel, great location. A visit is a must.
Geoff E - England
Erwin - Netherlands
Vicky - Scotland
verycloseshave - Scotland
May 2010
martbuchan - Scotland
Chris - England
Fabulous location really feel you are far from the madding crowd. True peace all around. Excellent wardens made you really feel at home.
JB - England
Walk On - Scotland
Fantastic area and will be an experience to remember - dispite our time at the hostel!
peter - Scotland
April 2010
Sandy Macmillen - England
A really great experience in a fantastic location
Phil Whiting - England
Andy Hall - England
The route in from Loch Cluanie is shorter but very boggy. Excellent base for doing the remote Munroes north of Glen Affric
LHOON - Belgium
Simple but beautiful in an awe-inspiring location. Well worth the walk there, either from Cluanie (short, but boggy), Cannich (easiest, but long) or Morvich (the most scenic route)
PedroMac - Scotland
An excellent hostel which is well worth visiting.
Karen J - Scotland
Well worth a visit just to get away from it all for a few nights. Basic facilities, but very clean and welcoming - and lots of places to dry those inevitable rain-soaked clothes and boots. Some beautiful views on the walk in and out - if you are coming from the Cannich side anyway.
Les Hodgkinson - England
December 2009
Take some whiskey with you, even if you don't drink it yourself, as it's a guaranteed way to make friends in Scotland.
Pedro - Scotland
November 2009
all I'd hoped it would be arrived in dark around 1015pm after epic outing relief warden dave had ready supply of hot sweet tea, welcome shower and electric light, only needed sleeping bag really
dcd - England
September 2009
I don't know how they make this place work so well so far from any services. Good hostel, stunning location. Makes a 2 day (or more) trek easily possible. Wonderful.
Rutger - England
get the correct os map before you travel,
LongTooth - England
Bring lightweight flip-flops or other water-tolerant footwear for the 50m burnside commute between the sleeping hut and the kitchen/common room. It's a bore putting your boots on every time!
Steve - England
Apart from the above moan, I had a great time meeting like minded people. I went on the bike and found it a bit rocky in places.
zadoc - Scotland
One and half hours on bike, fork right when trck splits , head towards house , over bridge and straight on. Hotel is basic but excellent site for local Munros
- - England
Leo - Scotland
This is a great hostel for those using public transport. Citylink bus to the Cluanie Inn and walk in.
Nathan - England
A little oasis in midgey heaven.
Macc - England
jacqueline - Switzerland
August 2009
wonderful place in the middle of nowhere. even with shower! would go back there anytime. it's a pitty, that in scotland the hiking paths are neither marked nor have they any signs of direction or hiking time.....
happy hiker - Scotland
Munro Bagger - Scotland
The shower is not for the claustrophobic. Take a large towel to protect your modesty.
Westy - Scotland
great place, great atmosphere, great scenery, great company...
sjsscotland - Scotland
Wonderful place to stay, cycle ride in from Loch Affric was very rough but do-able with a bit of walking (would recommend front suspension!). Midgies were terrible though.
Tim - England
Graham - Scotland
Great location, but if you walk in from Clunie the first 2 miles are easy then the other 4 miles are on wet and boggy paths which are sometimes hard to find.
Sue - England
Fantastic hostel in fantastic location.
juergen - Germany
Anon - Scotland
awanderer - England
Jodie - England
Wonderful, cosy place to stay if you are walking in the West Highlands. Despite the remote location, the hostel is warm and comfortable with great facilities including a fully equipped kitchen, hot water, flush toilet and shower. You do have to boil water before you can drink it but this wasn't a great inconvenience. The beds have pillows and thin blankets but you may wish to take a sleeping bag. Bring all your food with you and bear in mind that it will take 4 or 5 hours to get to the hostel from the River Affric car park or from Morvich (good paths all the way); the route from Cluanie Inn is about 3 hours but boggy! You can do some great hikes in the area with several munros within reach. Also, with no TV, internet or phone reception it is the perfect escape for a few days!
Louis - Switzerland
neilmcc - Scotland
Dont wear shorts. The midgies are small but will leave your legs itching for days.
Keith Wright - England
Great ride in on a mountain bike takes about 1 to 2hrs ideal for bagging the nearby Munroes.
Alan - Ireland (Northern)
July 2009
Weather was good when I was there but a sleeping bag would be good.
John - England
Lizzy - England
many people use the hostel to visit the top of Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan. We used an old map and 1:50 000 to boot, to go up Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan, which only marks one cairn, when there are in fact two. On the old map, the name of the summit obscures the detail needed to navigate down in poor visibility......as we discovered too late! There was a munroe book in the hostel - perhaps a note to that effect left in the book would save someone else being benighted!
Donald - Scotland
M.Pratt - England
June 2009
Skelpit - Scotland
This is a great place to tackle some of our most remote hills. Facilities are basic but exceptional considering the location.
Paul - England
Enjoy the silence, the big skies and the deer around the hostel!
What's a screen name? - England
Non-walkers need not apply.
JohnF - England
1761er - England
Great Hostel, very comfortable and relaxed. Shower and a loo! Luxury. Not to be missed.
Issie - England
although warm and cosy in the common rooms, the dormitories are unheated and can get cold at night even in summer. Warm clothing and extra blankets were needed at night.
histon Nikki - England
Used mountain bikes to cycle in and out from Cannich end - the track really is very bumpy in many sections.
WILLIAMRANKINE - Scotland
Beware on a bike particularly if the ground is flooded as there are large boulders under the puddles!
Norman Gibb - Scotland
Make sure that you take your own food with you as there is no hostel shop.
munro bagger - England
Könich - Germany
Wanderer - England
johnroberts - England
We are in our mid sixties and this was our first experience of youth-hostelling so we have no others with which to compare the Glen Affric hostel. It provided us with a comfortable base to climb one of the hills. We made the mistake of carrying cooked food - increasing the load to carry in - which was not necessary as the facilities for cooking are very good. A very worthwhile experience.
Jimbo - England
Staying in Glen Affric is a unique experience and one not to be missed. Don't make the mistake I made and try to take too much with you, after 3 hours in your backpack a jar of jam feels like a ton of coal! Take the absolute minimum and you'll enjoy the experience even more.
Susan, Edinburgh - Scotland
Hostel was very full and welcoming - the location is unbeatable!
pdg - England
A remote hostel which offers a warm safe haven.
walkon - Scotland
Cornish Bagger - England
If Munro bagging, make sure you have plenty of food, but also note that there is no refrigerator. Some turned up carrying milk which only lasted for one day due to the hot weather. There are no main supplies, the power comes from a wind turbine and a fire provides hot water, while the cooking is done on stoves supplied from gas canisters.
RUSS - England
May 2009
des - England
mikek - England
Pirouel Dickson - Scotland
A superb place away from the madness of the world Warm and well equipped kitchen great warden and excellent views Do not forget your sleeping bag Please be aware that this hostel although being remote can be busy and if you are seeking solitude you may not get it at the hostel You will however get plenty of it on the hills
David - Scotland
The walk-in from the Cluanie Inn was tediuos and quite boggy. Took 2.5 hours.
NeilB - Wales
A great hostel in a great setting, well worth the walk in except perhaps from Cluanie the route is very boggy.
Hampshire Hog - England
I always like staying at this remote hostel for getting a unique experience of a wilderness area.
nick - England
cgwyllie - Scotland
Peter Hoy - Germany
April 2009
Eine richtig gemuetliche Wanderhuette in einer wunderbaren Landschaft ich komme wieder Danke Peter
Emmanuel - France
marie - France
Neil S. of Inverness - England
An amazing hostel literally in the middle of nowhere The cycle in from Glen Affric is hard but achievable Everything you could want is there including a lovely hot shower at the end of a good day in the hills The kettle is always on for a welcome cuppa.
David Nicol - Scotland
November 2008
Eric Davies - England
I recommend the walk-in from the Cluanie Inn. It is a bit boggy in places but the highlight is when the Glen Affric SYH comes into view and you realise you will be staying in comfort in the wilderness.