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 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 forestry walk combines a visit to a fine series of waterfalls with a stroll along an ancient military road.
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
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 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
There are three waymarked forest walks from Fassfern; this route combines two of them to make an enjoyable, straightforward circuit.
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
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
On a clear day, this is perhaps the most dramatic section of the West Highland Way as it climbs to the highest point on the route with fabulous views of the Glencoe mountains. The high level mountain section can be exposed in poor weather but the long descent, with excellent views, to Kinlochleven is easy to follow. Kinlochleven has all services, including hostel and camping, and the Ice Factor climbing centre.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
This is a delightful riverside walk which can easily be extended to give a longer route if desired.
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
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
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 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
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 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
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
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
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
This very short walk heads down through some remnants of the Atlantic oakwoods to a bay that was once an important harbour.