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
A fantastic walk taking in the beautiful oakwoods of Ariundle, the rugged open moorland with fine views of the surrounding mountains, and the lead mines which once employed 600 miners on these moors.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
A varied circular walk passed Kinlochmoidart House and its walled garden. The return follows the river to the old stone bridge and then back along the A861 for a short section.
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 short but rough walk has excellent views of the famous Parallel Roads which stand out as horizontal ridges on both sides of the Glen. There is not a path for the whole route so navigation skills are required.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in Britain. This route is the standard, so-called Tourist Route up the mountain. It is straightforward, if strenuous, by hillwalking standards, but the less experienced should read all the precautions.
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 is a classic short hillwalk; the Silver Walk being one of the special paths of the Highlands, a fascinating if very rough route through stunningly beautiful scenery. The return walk over the hill visits some attractive lochans and has a fabulous descent with views to the Isles.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
An easy circular route linking these two historic sites and passing through lovely woodland and alongside the River Spean - great views to Ben Nevis throughout. The ruins of High Bridge are very dangerous and must not be accessed.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
Ben Resipol is the westernmost of the big Highland peaks; it's position between Loch Shiel and Loch Sunart, looking out over Ardnamurchan and a wide sweep of sea and islands, makes it a classic viewpoint.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
This circular walk explores the environs of the village of Roybridge. It passes through a great deal of fine native woodland and visits an attractive lochan.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
This straightforward Corbett makes a good short day out. The ascent is not too steep and rewarded by a plateau traverse on springy turf to the summit trig point with excellent views to Ben Nevis, Loch Arkaig, Loch Lochy and all the surrounding mountains.
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
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
Binnein Mor is a graceful peak and the highest of the Mamores; its combination with Na Gruagaichean gives a superb ridgewalk.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
These two remote Knoydart Munros may be less celebrated than Ladhar Bheinn, but they still provide a superlative and challenging mountain walk. Rough, rocky summits packed with character and wonderful views.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
Sgor Gaibhre and Carn Dearg are a pair of unspectacular Munros in the heart of the wild area around Loch Ossian. They can be approached from the south, or alternatively from Corrour railway station which isn't accessible by road and has the advantage of a start at almost 400m.
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.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
This short and easy walk passes through beautiful ancient oak woodlands close to the shores of Loch Sunart.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
One of the few short walks in Glencoe, this ramble explores the woodland in the central part of the Glen, and visits Signal Rock, where according to legend the signal was given to begin the Glencoe Massacre.
Walks in Oban and Argyll, Oban and Argyll, PA34
A mostly easy walk to the cleared village of Inniemore - Aoneadh Mor, returning up a short but steep incline which affords views across Loch Arienas.