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
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
Attractive and peaceful Loch Lundie, approached through fine mixed woodland, makes an excellent destination for a short walk from Invergarry.
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
The highest mountain in the old county of Argyll, Bidean nam Bian is the whole majestic range of mountains on the south side of Glen Coe. It's dramatic northern ridges are known as the Three Sisters, whilst the highest summits of the group are hidden away behind.
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
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 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 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
This solitary Munro in the remote area around Loch Quoich has a good stalkers path for the ascent and is a very fine viewpoint.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
This is really a combination of two very short and easy but contrasting walks. The first is a visit to the old Ballachulish slate quarries which supplied most of Scotland with slates for generations; after this look at industrial heritage the second part of the walk is a delightfully scenic stroll around the peninsula behind the Isles of Glencoe Hotel.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
This idyllic walk explores some of the fabulous beaches on the northern coast of the Ardnamurchan Peninsula. In good weather, there are great views out to the Small Isles of Muck, Eigg and Rum.
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
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
Straightforward walk on a track through the attractive woodland beside Loch Arkaig. The walk visits a bothy before returning the same way.
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
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 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
Known in Gaelic as Sgorr na Ciche, the distinctive Pap is a familiar landmark around lower Glencoe and Loch Leven. It is a fabulous viewpoint and gives a short but steep hillwalk.
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
An easy short walk through beautiful ancient oak woodlands; the walk visits an excellent wildlife hide on the shores of Loch Sunart.