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
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
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
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
This circuit through the Glen Duror forest plantations is pleasant enough, and interest is added by the bothy and the connections with the Appin murder.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
Buachaille Etive Mor is one of the best known and loved of all the Munro peaks. The epic view of the mountain from the main A82 road makes it appear quite unassailable and is one of the most photographed sights in Scotland.
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
An easy and almost level walk using with stunning views up the length of Loch Lochy and across the Caledonian Canal and River Lochy to Ben Nevis.
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
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
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
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
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
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
Well marked Forestry Commission walk which follows a delightful stream up through the forest, passing an attractive waterfall. The descent follows a track with more open 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
A lovely walk with great coastal views out to the Small Isles. Peanmeanach is a deserted village with a bothy and lovely sandy beach.
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 short walk visits the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct and has excellent views of Loch Shiel; the going however is steep and boggy.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
An easy circular route linking these two historic sites and passing through lovely woodland and alongside the River Spean - great views to Ben Nevis throughout. The ruins of High Bridge are very dangerous and must not be accessed.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
This forest walk climbs steeply through the trees, passing a fine waterfall and giving superb views across Glen Nevis.