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
This long walk to Mam na Gualainn towering above Loch Leven provides great ridgewalking with extensive views of the Mamore and Glen Coe mountains.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
Beinn na Lap may be remote but the close proximity of Corrour rail station - at 400m - helps to make it one of the easiest of the Munros. The walk up is a plod up a trackless moorland but the views - taking in the higher mountains nearby as well as part of Rannoch Moor - are excellent.
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
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
The Grey Corries range gives a long and demanding but superb ridgewalk. The route as described takes in the main three Munros, leaving a fourth for a separate 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
This is a pleasant walk combining sea views with a visit to an attractive hill loch; the enjoyment is slightly spoiled by the very wet path.
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 pleasant leg stretcher through forestry, with a short section of riverside. This walk only has glimpses of the nearby mountain scenery as it is mainly in the trees.
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
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
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
The second section of the Great Glen Way is dominated by the expanse of Loch Lochy. It follows a minor road before reaching a fine section of path beside the loch, before more roadwalking but in beautiful surroundings. There follows a long section of forestry tracks just above the loch.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
The first section of the Great Glen Way starts in Fort William and passes through suburbs overshadowed by the great bulk of mighty Ben Nevis. It joins the Caledonian Canal where it issues into Loch Linnhe and then follows the canal for a fine, flat walk with great views of the surrounding mountains.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
This circuit of remote Loch Ossian can be done in a day from the railway station at Corrour or by staying at Youth Hostel - it is a long walk, in forestry in places, but with good mountain views and a chance to view modern Corrour Lodge at the far end of the loch.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
Famed as the narrowest ridge on the British mainland (though Liathach and An Teallach must run it close), the Aonach Eagach gives a thrilling and spectacular traverse for keen scramblers, linking the Munros of Meall Dearg and Sgorr nam Fiannaidh.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
These two Munros form the northeastern part the Black Mount range, rising above the head of Glen Etive opposite the better known Buachaille Etive Mor. This route ascends via the White Corries ski slopes. Meall a'Bhuiridh appears rather undistinguished seen from Rannoch Moor but its elegant west ridge is revealed from Creise, itself the high point of a dramatic ridge running from Sron na Creise in the north through Clach Leathad to Sron nam Forsair.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
This Forestry Commission waymarked walk keeps alongside the delightful River Garry at first before ascending through the forest.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
An attractive walk along a fascinating stretch of coastline; visits a sandy beach and interesting rock formations and archaeological remains.
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.