At Balnakeil Village, take the right turn at the T-Junction towards Balnakeil Church, beach and golf course.
Continue on the single track road until you reach the church and here you will see the fabulous long stretch of pale sand that is Balnakeil Beach.
The church is a ruin and is a scheduled monument and is photogenic so worth a look.
Given that there is no large car park here and that the beach has become a popular stop on the NC500 itinerary, parking here can be tricky and is often haphazard on the grass verges, and may involve a bit of parking rage!
Please also note, should you be using Google Maps or similar to find your way around, the road shown leading north along the edge of the beach towards Faraid Head does not exist, at least not in any form of permanent, hard surface, beyond the little bit that leads through the gate to the edge of the beach, and is more a rough track through the dunes.
The walk to the beach from the road is gentle and relatively easy. Here a burn runs onto the beach and it can be fun for children or dogs to play here, and there are often interesting shells to collect here too.
If you love a long walk on a sandy beach, then this in an excellent place for you as the beach stretches out for over a mile in front of you. At low tide you can walk around the jut of headland in the middle of the beach, but please keep an eye on the tide, although you can get back via the sand dunes if necessary.
The sand dunes are a beautiful example of this unusual habitat and are home for plenty of specific flora and fauna. Enjoy a walk through them, but please respect them and try to avoid jumping or running in a way that may lead to erosion.
The bay itself faces west and on a bright day has alluring turquoise water. Although the sea temperature is never particularly warm, the sheltered location can make for some relatively safe bathing.
Notes for visitors with limited mobility:
The beach is close to the road and almost at the same level so is an easy walk down, but it is not suitable for wheelchair users.