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
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 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
The third section of the Great Glen Way is one of the finest. Two beautiful sections of the Caledonian Canal sandwich the lovely walk along the wild side of Loch Oich with its magnificent natural woodlands.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
This short and easy walk passes through beautiful ancient oak woodlands close to the shores of Loch Sunart.
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
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
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 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
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 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
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 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
Sgurr na Utha is a rather sprawling but extremely rocky mountain to the northwest of Glenfinnan. It gives a fairly short hillwalk; the summit offers superb views of the nearby mountains and along the length of lonely Loch Beoraid.
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
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
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
There are three waymarked forest walks from Fassfern; this route combines two of them to make an enjoyable, straightforward circuit.
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
Ben Resipol is the westernmost of the big Highland peaks; it's position between Loch Shiel and Loch Sunart, looking out over Ardnamurchan and a wide sweep of sea and islands, makes it a classic viewpoint.
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.