Loch Arkaig, Chia-aig Falls & main forests MORE TO EXPLORE Many of the Explore the glens Allt Mhuic Butterfly Reserve mountains around Enjoy a picnic by magical Chia-aig 1 Lochaber have Gaelic around Fort William Glencoe Lochan (say: Kaig) Falls on the names. Gaelic was Follow an easy-access trail shores of secluded Glengarry widely spoken in this through bluebell woods to Loch Arkaig and visit Explore ancient Caledonian area and the names of hills and places are nearby Allt Mhuic pine forest at Glengarry, Rannsaich na glinn Glencoe Lochan, an enchanting very descriptive. Victorian designed landscape. (say Allt-Vooik) for where red squirrels, crossbills timcheall a’ Ghearasdain a chance to spot and wood ants find sanctuary. The most famous of all, Ben Nevis, is an the rare chequered anglicised version of ‘Beinn Nibheis’, thought skipper butterfly. 2 to mean ‘the terrible or poisonous mountain’. Glen Righ Is this because it’s so dangerous in bad Experience the power of the Loch Oich picnic site weather? No one knows for sure and the Inchree waterfalls, best just Don’t miss the chance to get down to mountain is often known simply as ‘THE Ben’. after rain. The nearby 18th- the water’s edge. Enjoy a walk on the century Wade’s Road was built shore, lovely views and easy access Meall an t-Suidhe (say Myowl-un-too-yuh, to help suppress the Jacobites. Fort William lies at the centre of a to the water if you fancy a paddle. pronounced locally as ‘Mel-an-tee’), Hill of the stunning highland landscape that’s seat – this is said to be because it resembles steeped in evocative history. Leave the the seat of a chair with Ben Nevis as the backrest. usual stops on the tourist trail behind and 3 Glen Nevis explore a wealth of wonderful trails Stob Ban – meaning and viewpoints for a real feel of See Highland cattle grazing on LeaNachan Forest This is a popular spot for walking, running white peak. From a the highlands in the glens Cow Hill above Glen Nevis and the amazing panorama over and cycling, where you can explore miles distance the silvery around Fort William. Loch Linnhe and the Great Glen. of trails through a large working forest. quartz and schist peak n a m e Enjoy the views or test your bike skills at at the top of Glen Nevis g a H nearby Nevis Range mountain resort. looks like snow. ie m Ja by Photo 4 North Face, Torlundy Càrn Mòr Dearg (say carn- mor-jerrag, meaning ‘big red hill’) The North Face trail leads you uphill for stunning views of the Sgurr a’ Mhàim (say scoor-a-vain, rugged cliffs on Ben Nevis and Loch Linnhe picnic site meaning ‘peak of large rounded hill’). a taste of the open hill. Pull off the A82 for a great picnic This peak is easy to see from stop with beautiful loch views. Braveheart car park. Buzzard Sgorr Dearg 5 Glenfinnan (say scorr-jerrag) – this impressive pointed Reproduced by permissionDiscover of Ordnance a secret Survey side onto behalf of HSMO. © Crown copyright and database right [2017]. All rights peak can be seen reserved. OrdnanceGlenfinnan Survey Licence numberon a peaceful [1000212242]. walk among Scots pine with framed by the trees Sgurr a’ Mhàim stunning views over Loch Shiel. Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of at Glencoe Lochan. from Cow Hill HSMO. © Crown copyright and database right [2017]. All rights Photo by Ruari Watt reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number [1000212242]. 1 Take time out to enjoy stunning Highland scenery in a 2 Glen Righ / (say glen ree - Glencoe Lochan / tranquil setting at Glencoe Lochan. Towering redwoods and Trail information meaning ‘Glen Trail information Lochan Ghleann Comhainn wild mountain peaks reflect in the still waters of the lochan, Gleann Ruighe of the king’) giving a distinctly North American feel. Stroll around the Waterfall Trail water’s edge, explore the woodland or stretch your legs on Lochan Trail the mountain trail. It’s an ideal spot for an easy-going outing. Climb up beside the Abhainn Righ gorge to the A gentle trail around the tranquil Glencoe lochan remarkable Inchree Falls and look out across and woodland, created by Lord Strathcona for his Loch Linnhe. homesick Canadian wife. 1 ¼ miles / Uneven gravel surface. 2 kms A wide, firm and 1 mile / One long steep slope smooth surfaced path, 1.6 kms Allow with some rocky steps. 1 hr generally flat, but with Allow Occasional rocky section short gentle gradients, ½ hr and exposed tree roots. Includes two bridges. broken up with rest points. Wade’s Road Trail Woodland Trail Welcome to waterfall wonderland! The Abhainn 0 0.25 km Follow the route of an 18th century military road Righ (say Aa-win-uhn-ree, meaning ‘river of the king’) 0 1/4 mile Meandering through huge North American through the shady larch forest. You’re rewarded cascades down the hill in a series of steps, forming conifers - an impressive woodland path. Enjoy with great views towards the Atlantic from the eight mighty waterfalls: they’re particularly spectacular the loch views and in spring, carpets of bluebells. open hillside above. after heavy rain. 2 ¼ miles / A firm path with some 1 mile / Long steep slopes for 3.6 kms rough rocky and rooty 1.6 kms Walk uphill for sweeping views over Loch Linnhe and 400m. Uneven gravel the hills of Ardgour. If you’ve never seen a red squirrel, Allow sections. Constantly Allow surface, with some 1 ½ hrs undulating, with short ¾ hr visit the special accessible viewing area by the car park exposed tree roots steep sections. Can be for your best chance of seeing cheeky red squirrels and rocky sections. Includes two bridges. muddy in places after rain. leaping among the trees. For a longer walk explore the attractive birch woods beyond the falls. Cross ‘An Drochaid’ (the bridge - say An Droch-itch) for lovely views over the loch. Red squirrel Mountain Trail viewing screen A short but tough path. The view from the slopes Meet some of Inchree’s of Stac a’Chlamhain (the steep hill of the buzzard) most popular residents is just superb. at the red squirrel viewing A loose gravel path, with 1 mile / screen close to the car park. uneven stone steps and 1.6 kms The screen is at the end of a rooty sections. Long Allow short (5 metre path), with a wide, very steep gradients. ¾ hr firm and smooth gravel surface. © Crown copyright and database right [2017]. All rights To Glencoe reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number [100021242]. Village 3 Glen NEVIS / 4 North Face, Torlundy GLEANN NIBHEIS Discover the forests and glens around Fort William Forest trails with stunning views to the lochs and hills around the Outdoor Capital of the UK Take on the Peat TracK Photos by Ruari Watt From Braveheart Car Park Take the very steep Peat Track Follow the way-marked trail in the shadow of mighty up Cow Hill from Glen Nevis Ben Nevis for a feel of the open high country and for a strenuous walk with great spectacular views of the north face’s towering cliffs. views back over Ben Nevis. Climbers from around the world come to test themselves This track was used by local on the classic routes here. Listen for the soothing sound crofters when they cut peat of the Allt a Mhuilinn (say allt-a-voolin) meaning ‘the mill from the hillside to use as fuel. stream’ as you head uphill. The stream once powered an old mill and now supplies hydro-electric power to the aluminium smelter in Fort William. Trail information Trail information Tucked away just behind the bustling town of Cow Hill Circuit North Face Trail Fort William is one of the most gorgeous and easily West HighlandsWest accessible glens in the highlands. The visitor centre A loop all the way round Cow Hill, the wee hill with A steep climb is rewarded with magnificent views here is where most walkers start their Ben Nevis ascent, big views. There’s also an option to branch off the into the towering North face of Ben Nevis, over Fort but there’s lots to explore in the glen without tackling circuit to visit the top of the hill. Great views of lochs, William and out west towards the road to the Isles. Britain’s highest mountain! Ben Nevis and the Mamores. A good smooth surface, 2 ¼ miles / Braveheart car park is the gateway to the glen and the Mostly wide, firm path 4 miles / with long steep slopes 3.5 kms starting point for many of the best woodland trails in the although some short 6.5 kms throughout. The upper Allow area including Cow Hill (the wee hill behind Fort William). sections can be narrow, Allow path is narrow and 1 ½ hrs There’s also plenty of space for kids to play among the loose or rough. 2 ¾ hrs can be slippery when damp. trees and pleasant spots for a picnic. Dun Deardail Trail From Achriabhach Walk up through the forest to the open summit of this (say Acch-ree-u-vuch, meaning ‘The Speckled Field’) important iron age hill fort. Great views, enjoyed by people here for thousands of years. 5 Glenfinnan / A long, moderately steep 6 ¼ miles / Gleann Fhionnainn climb. The path to the fort 10 kms is steep and rough, with Allow uneven stone steps. 3 ½ hrs Contact details: West Region Tel: 0300 067 6650 Photo: Caledonian Air Surveys Email: [email protected] Dun Deardail Fort (say Doon-jee-ard-dall, meaning ‘Deirdre’s fort’) For more ideas of great days out in the forest, visit our website: This longer trail has a real sense of adventure Venture further up the road to discover a quieter and and takes you to an exposed summit where you Follow us on forestryandland.gov.scot wilder side to Glen Nevis.