Fort William and Lochaber contains some of the most scenic and diverse walking country in the whole of the UK, including Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the UK, the incredibly beautiful Glen Coe with the wilderness of Rannoch Moor and the romantic islands of Mull, Rum and Eigg.
Possible walks range from strenuous and exhilarating scrambles, to stiff climbs to the tops of Munros (peaks over 3000ft), to short but delightful strolls. Not all our hills demand super fitness, nor is age necessarily a deterrent; many people in their 70s and 80s and whole families enjoy regular walks and climbs in the area.
The famous West Highland Way winds its way from Milngavie outside Glasgow, crossing Rannoch Moor, past Buachaille Etive Mor to the head of Glen Coe, climbing the Devil’s Staircase, descending to sea level to cross the River Leven at Kinlochleven before entering Lairigmor and Glen Nevis and finishes at Gordon Square in Fort William.
Special-interest walks are often organised and include hunting for orchids and rare Scottish butterflies, watching eagles and bats and deer rutting and, in the autumn, collecting edible fungi. Others lead to sites of archaeological importance, which are particularly rich in Lochaber.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
An easy walk exploring the remains of the original settlement at Daingean. The walk has some nice views over Loch Garry and beyond.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
Creag Meagaidh is a magnificent massif, a bare plateau fringed by some of the grandest cliffs in Scotland. This traverse takes in two neighbouring Munros and makes for a memorable day.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
Carn Dearg is one of four Corbetts accessible from Glen Roy, no less than three of which are called Carn Dearg. This Carn Dearg probably makes the best hill walk of the four; although the summit is undistinguished there is a fine ascent through Coire Dubh with some optional easy scrambling, whilst the descent offers grand views of Coire Reinich.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
A pleasant figure of eight walk combining forest, mountain views and riverside on the outskirts of Spean Bridge. Can also be started from Spean Bridge railway station.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
A visit to a lonely loch hidden in the rough moorland southeast of Mallaig.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
This moderate walk makes a circuit around attractive Loch Oich utilising the Great Glen Way along the southern shores and the Great Glen Cycle route higher above the loch on the northern side. NOTE: Suspension bridge at Invergarry is currently closed until Summer 2010, detour on road required.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
For experienced, fit walkers who do not mind easy scrambling but are not climbers, this is the finest way to climb Ben Nevis. This is a truly spectacular route incorporating two Munros. It will live long in the memory and does true justice to the mountain.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
This excellent circuit from Portuairk visits an excellent sandy beach; Ardnamurchan Point lighthouse can be visited by a two kilometre detour along its tiny access road.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
Sgurr na Utha is a rather sprawling but extremely rocky mountain to the northwest of Glenfinnan. It gives a fairly short hillwalk; the summit offers superb views of the nearby mountains and along the length of lonely Loch Beoraid.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
These are two of the highest mountains in Britain. Our route avoids the ski developments on the northern flanks of Aonach Mor, and gives a fairly long, remote hillwalk with superb views.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
A fabulous mountain ridgewalk taking in two Munros with stunning views; the route is marred however by the ascent and descent from the ridge on pathless heather and eroded paths.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
An easy short walk through beautiful ancient oak woodlands; the walk visits an excellent wildlife hide on the shores of Loch Sunart.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
Sgurr Mor, a rocky and steep peak between Loch Quoich and lonely Glen Kingie, must rank amongst the remotest Munros. Unless you have a kayak, the usual approach is from Glendessary to the south, involving a pass to Glen Kingie just to reach the foot of the mountain. The Corbett Sgurr an Fhuarain is easily included in the walk.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
This short but steep walk visits the Grey Mare's Tail waterfall, which is one of the most impressive in the region. The route then climbs up the hillside and visits an old Lodge, now a hotel, before returning to Kinlochleven
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
Climb up to the lochan in Coire Ardair to view the magnificent cliffs of Creag Meagaidh. The first part of this moderate walk, which follows a very good path, passes through the regenerating woodland of the National Nature Reserve.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
This waymarked trail climbs high above the old Ballachulish Slate Quarries giving stunning views; the return walk is through dense forestry plantations but visits some hidden ruins.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
This very short walk heads down through some remnants of the Atlantic oakwoods to a bay that was once an important harbour.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
This circuit through the Glen Duror forest plantations is pleasant enough, and interest is added by the bothy and the connections with the Appin murder.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
A lovely walk with great coastal views out to the Small Isles. Peanmeanach is a deserted village with a bothy and lovely sandy beach.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
This route follows the river through the beautiful middle section of Glen Nevis before returning through the forestry.