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 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 visit to a lonely loch hidden in the rough moorland southeast of Mallaig.
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
Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in Britain. This route is the standard, so-called Tourist Route up the mountain. It is straightforward, if strenuous, by hillwalking standards, but the less experienced should read all the precautions.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
This forest walk climbs up through the trees to a great viewpoint with views of Lochs Arkaig and Lochy as well as Ben Nevis. It then descends to an attractive waterfall with a perfect picnic site.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
An easy walk exploring the remains of the original settlement at Daingean. The walk has some nice views over Loch Garry and beyond.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
A fantastic walk taking in the beautiful oakwoods of Ariundle, the rugged open moorland with fine views of the surrounding mountains, and the lead mines which once employed 600 miners on these moors.
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
This circular walk explores the environs of the village of Roybridge. It passes through a great deal of fine native woodland and visits an attractive lochan.
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 idyllic walk explores some of the fabulous beaches on the northern coast of the Ardnamurchan Peninsula. In good weather, there are great views out to the Small Isles of Muck, Eigg and Rum.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
One of the best short walks in Scotland, this route heads through the dramatic and beautiful Nevis Gorge and leads to the awesome Steall Falls.
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.