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
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
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
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 canal-side walk that visits the entrance to the Caledonian Canal from Loch Linnhe as well as the famous Neptune's Staircase flight of lochs.
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
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
Stob Ban is one of the finest peaks in the Mamores, its quartzite summit giving magnificent views. An enjoyable ridge traverse joins it to the lesser peak of Mullach nan Coirean, giving an excellent walk.
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 final stage of the West Highland Way climbs up through the woods above Kinlochleven before following the route of the old Military Road through an empty glen flanked by grand mountains. There is then a stretch through forestry before a gradual descent into stunningly beautiful Glen Nevis - with the highest mountain in the UK towering ahead. The town of Fort William beckons for a deserved celebration.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
These two Munros are the easternmost of the Mamores range. They stand apart from the rest of the ridge as isolated cones of scree, giving arduous ascends but wonderful views.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
These three Munros are quite isolated in the wilds south of Loch Laggan. Beinn a'Chlachair is a massive whale-like ridge with steep sides, Geal Charn a sprawling mass and Creag Pitridh a pointed summit on its northern slopes.
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
The Silver Sands of Morar are a celebrated series of beautiful sandy beaches which pepper the coastline from Arisaig to Morar. Most are easily accessible from the roadside but this walk visits one of the least frequented beaches, crossing some wet ground on the way.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
This forest walk climbs steeply through the trees, passing a fine waterfall and giving superb views across Glen Nevis.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
Regarded by many hillwalkers as amongst the finest mountains in Scotland, Ladhar Bheinn enjoys a superb position on western seaboard in the remote Knoydart peninsula. It has dramatic ridges, huge crags falling into Coire Dhorrcail and amazing sea and mountain views from the summit.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
Well marked Forestry Commission walk which follows a delightful stream up through the forest, passing an attractive waterfall. The descent follows a track with more open views.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
Gulvain (more correctly known as Gaor Bheinn) is the highest mountain in this area but is little known and remains hidden from the roads. A long approach walk is repaid with fine views from the summit.
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 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
Cow Hill is the summit that blocks the view of Ben Nevis from Fort William. It gives an enjoyable circuit with fine views, both over the town and down Glen Nevis and Loch Linnhe.