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 Oban and Argyll, Oban and Argyll, PA34
A mostly easy walk to the cleared village of Inniemore - Aoneadh Mor, returning up a short but steep incline which affords views across Loch Arienas.
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
This long walk to Mam na Gualainn towering above Loch Leven provides great ridgewalking with extensive views of the Mamore and Glen Coe mountains.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
Sron a Choire Ghairbh and Meall na Teanga soar steeply above Lochy Lochy, and are commonly known as the Loch Lochy Munros. Their ascent from Kilfinnan has a long approach through the forest but the views are excellent.
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
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
An attractive walk along a fascinating stretch of coastline; visits a sandy beach and interesting rock formations and archaeological remains.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
Coire Gabhail is the hidden valley where the MacDonalds of Glen Coe hid their rustled cattle. A visit involves a very rough but intensely dramatic and scenic walk.