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
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
Sgurr Ghiubhsachan is a fine craggy mountain, certainly the most impressive peak in Ardgour and Moidart, especially when seen from the Glenfinnan monument at the head of Loch Shiel. Nearby Sgorr Craobh a' Chaorainn is less conspicuous, being hidden by the rocky heights overlooking the loch. The round of these tops from Callop is a grand and quite testing hill walk, which includes tremendous views from the lochside on the way in.
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
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
A gem of a walk following waymarked trails through ornamental woodland at the foot of Glen Coe.The picturesque and serene lochan and its wooded shores contrasts with the wild and dramatic mountains of the glen which are seen across it.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
A quiet walk through forestry, visiting a tract of ancient, hidden oak woodland. Good chance to see wildflowers and wildlife.
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 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
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
Meall a'Phubuill is a rather rounded Corbett in a little visited area of moors and rounded hills above the heads of Glen Loy and Gleann Suileag. This is a worthwhile walk with some interesting views.
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
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
The singing sands is a magical place at any tide or weather. This, there and back, walk on tracks has a delightful first half next to the water and then through forestry plantation before emerging at the white sands.
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
An easy but very pleasant walk which follows the Caledonian Canal between Loch Lochy and Loch Oich, returning via the old railway line.
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
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
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
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
There are three waymarked forest walks from Fassfern; this route combines two of them to make an enjoyable, straightforward circuit.