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
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
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
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
An all-abilities trail with picnic tables and benches through beautiful woodland and then up to a viewpoint below the mountain of Creag Meagaidh. The gentle uphill section can be omitted to make the route completely flat.
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
This circuit explores the industrially-exploited but today very beautiful and peaceful Glen Leven, including a visit to the bleak Blackwater Dam.
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
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
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
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
Sgor na h-Ulaidh is the forgotten Munro amongst the Glencoe peaks, being out of sight for most of the road through the glen. Combined with the Corbett Meall na Lighiche, it gives a day with superb views - but with a very steep ascent.
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
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 Ring of Steall is a real classic mountain route combining the traverse of four Munros with scrambling along narrow, rocky aretes. The route takes in An Gearanach, Stob Choire a Chairn, Am Bodach and then follows the Devils Ridge to Sgurr a'Mhaim.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
This pleasant circuit has good views over Mallaig harbour and across Loch Nevis to Knoydart. A good way to spent spare time whilst waiting for a ferry.
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 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 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
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
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.