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
Ben Tee is a prominent Corbett, visible from many points along the Great Glen and Glen Garry, and makes a fine, wide ranging viewpoint.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
Sgurr Mor, a rocky and steep peak between Loch Quoich and lonely Glen Kingie, must rank amongst the remotest Munros. Unless you have a kayak, the usual approach is from Glendessary to the south, involving a pass to Glen Kingie just to reach the foot of the mountain. The Corbett Sgurr an Fhuarain is easily included in the walk.
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
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
Cow Hill is the summit that blocks the view of Ben Nevis from Fort William. It gives an enjoyable circuit with fine views, both over the town and down Glen Nevis and Loch Linnhe.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
A pleasant leg stretcher through forestry, with a short section of riverside. This walk only has glimpses of the nearby mountain scenery as it is mainly in the trees.
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
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
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
A quiet walk through forestry, visiting a tract of ancient, hidden oak woodland. Good chance to see wildflowers and wildlife.
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
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
These are two of the highest mountains in Britain. Our route avoids the ski developments on the northern flanks of Aonach Mor, and gives a fairly long, remote hillwalk with superb views.
Walks in Fort William and Lochaber, Fort William and Lochaber, PH33
This circuit of remote Loch Ossian can be done in a day from the railway station at Corrour or by staying at Youth Hostel - it is a long walk, in forestry in places, but with good mountain views and a chance to view modern Corrour Lodge at the far end of the loch.
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
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
This route follows the river through the beautiful middle section of Glen Nevis before returning through the forestry.
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.
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
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.