Details
Region: Argyll & Bute / West Highlands
Location: Upper Glen Nevis Car Park, Fort William PH33 6SY, Scotland, UK
DEN Rating: 8/10
Trail Length: 2.3 miles total
Trail Type: out and back
Hike Time: 45 – 75 minutes total
Trail Difficulty: moderately difficult 6/10
Elevation Gain: 508 feet
Trail Surface: dirt, rocks, small stream crossings, optional cable bridge crossing.
Popularity: 8/10
Family friendly: yes
Pet friendly: yes
Handicapped Accessible: Yes on All Abilities Path at Ben Nevis Visitors Center, no on all other trails.
Swimming: yes
Camping: backpack camping in upper glen and on West Highland Way, paid campgrounds near Ben Nevis Vistors Center.
Restrooms: yes at Lower Falls carpark and Ben Nevis Visitors Center.
Open Hours: open 24 hours
Season: spring – fall
Pass or Permit: none required
Managed By: The John Muir Trust, Forestry and Land Scotland, The Highland Council
Select photographs in this article are available as custom prints. Click on the shopping cart icon to see print media and sizing options. Click on the square icon for a full-screen view of the image.
When I got up early for a pre-breakfast hike to Steall Waterfall in Upper Glen Nevis I was hoping for a “bonnie wee” trek to a noteworthy waterfall. I had no idea what was in store for me. Of all the hikes I did in Scotland, this was my absolute favorite! Glen Nevis is way beyond scenic – words like idyllic, inspirational, and iconic are more appropriate.
The Water of Nevis begins in the Highlands in a group of precipitous peaks known as The Ring of Steall, cascading down rocky cliffs and flowing down grassy slopes into Upper Glen Nevis, with it’s floor carved flat by glaciers thousands of years ago and lofty Steall Falls tumbling down the wall. The height of the falls appears to be debated, with various sources putting the height between 350-400 feet. Similarly, some claims state it’s the second tallest falls in Scotland while others place it at 3rd. Regardless this is truly one of the most beautiful places I have ever been and I absolutely will return.
Upper Glen Nevis is a paradise on earth – cool, green, dramatic, and absolutely stunning. It is well worth the fairly short hike to reach it.
Upper Glen Nevis
Steall Waterfall, one of the tallest waterfalls in Britian, breaks down the side of Upper Glen Nevis, a glacially-carved hanging valley in the stunning West Highlands of Scotland’s Argyll region. The hike to this lofty falls was a highlight of the trip for me. I got up early to beat the crowds as I had … Read more
The small river drops through Nevis Gorge below the upper glen, crashing down powerful cascades before emerging in the larger, lower valley of Glen Nevis. The glen turns to the northwest as it bends around the base of mighty Ben Nevis, the tallest peak in Scotland, before opening into The Great Glen at the village of Fort William. It’s seven miles from Fort William to the end of the road at the upper car park.
The Glen Nevis area is one of the most popular areas in the West Highlands for several reasons. The hiking here is just incredible, with the West Highland Way, Scotland’s signature long distance trail, passing through the glen en route to it’s northernmost trailhead in Fort William. The hike up to the summit of Ben Nevis is perhaps the most popular climb / day hike in Scotland. The hike that I did to Steall Falls is also on the popular side, not only because of the waterfall itself but because the falls was a filming location in the Harry Potter movies. Further down the glen is a location where part of Braveheart was filmed.
Visiting all of the major sites in Glen Nevis (with the exception of summiting Ben Nevis) can easily be achieved in one day at a fairly relaxed pace. My extremely strong suggestion is to start at the top of the glen and work your way down. Bring a lunch with you, or drive back into town for lunch then return to the glen after, getting to the Upper Glen Nevis Car Park / Steall Falls Trailhead as early as you possibly can. The itinerary below follows this general outline of starting at the top of the glen and working your way down. The other way could work also, reaching the upper glen and Steall Falls in the evening after an early dinner.
While the height is debated, it is clear that Steall Waterfall ranks amongst Scotland’s tallest waterfalls. The area in the trees to the right of the base of the falls was a filming location for the Harry Potter movies, which can be reached by crossing the cable bridge.
Steall Waterfall
It was cool and misty the morning I hiked to Steall Waterfall in Scotland’s epic Upper Glen Nevis. I reached the falls as the misty clouds began descending down the slopes surrounding the falls. A pair of backpackers had set up their tent right in the middle of the main view of the falls, so … Read more
The trail to Steall Falls and Upper Glen Nevis is fairly rocky with uneven footing and streams flowing on the trail through the beautiful forest. You’ll reach an area about 1/3 of the way up the trail where several cascading creeks cross the path in rapid succession, with a spur trail heading up to Water of Nevis Point. After this the trail turns south and increases in difficulty as is crosses rock ledges and tributary streams above the boisterous Water of Nevis canyon. Suddenly, at the 2/3 mark, the trail turns and emerges in Upper Glen Nevis, where the path becomes far easier and the surroundings suddenly change from forest to open alpine slopes framing the meadows in flat glen. Steall Falls soon appears, and little spur trails lead down to rocky bars with great views along the now placid little river. Near the falls there is a challenging cable bridge to cross if you want to reach the base of the falls. There is a small shelter tucked into the trees near the falls base. Beyond the falls trails continue up both sides of the glen, eventually leading up into the highlands to views looking over the glen.
After returning to the car, drive down to the road bridge over Water of Nevis (where the pavement begins) and park. Walk onto the bridge to view Lower Falls. On the south shore of the river is an easy trail which heads up the lower glen before eventually crossing at Paddy’s Bridge and ending on the road. Walk back on the road for an easy 2 mile loop. Below the road bridge is a really cool canyon area with gorgeous warm-toned rock that can be explored – there are a lot of squishy / muddy spots around so watch where you step. If you want to swim there are a few small but deep enough pools here. There is a nice restroom at the Lower Falls Car Park, which has a donation-based pay station ($4 per day suggested) should you choose to support the John Muir Trust in the conservation, infrastructure, and accessibility of the glen.
The canyon below Lower Falls is a fun area to explore – look for the steps that go over the little fence, found on the downstream side of the far end of the bridge then weave your way down the bootpaths. Just watch out for boggy spots!
Glen Nevis Steall Canyon
Scotland’s epic Glen Nevis drains the beautiful West Highlands. This glen is especially distinctive due to its salmon orange stone. We drove to the top of the glen and visited Lower Falls, then found a way to follow the Water of Nevis canyon below the falls downstream. This point was particularly scenic. Right after taking … Read more
Continue down the road to Braveheart Village, a parking area with access to several paths in the heart of the glen. This is an immensely pretty area with idyllic views in all directions. If you’ve got time for a stroll down the Riverside Path or up the Ben Nevis Trail a ways you will be happy with your decision to spend an hour or two here.
Further down the road are some wonderful views of Glen Nevis with massive Ben Nevis in the background – just pull off the road at one of the little turnouts. Near the bottom of the glen is a large complex of campgrounds and cabins: Glen Nevis Self-Catering Park, Glen Nevis Holiday Park, and Glen Nevis Caravan & Camping Park, plus two restaurants. Next door are Ben Nevis Car Park and Ben Nevis Visitors Center ($2 per hour to park) which offers trail and weather information, restrooms, and picnic tables. The all-abilities path along the river is accessed from here as well.
Further down the road is Braveheart Car Park ($1/hr and $3/day) which provides access to the West Highland Way. Above the glen on its north side are two more areas worth checking out if you’re looking for hikes to viewpoints – Dun Deardall Fort (an ancient Celtic and later Pictish hill fort that eventually burned to the ground, with views over the middle of Glen Nevis) and Cow Hill Viewpoint (views of Loch Linnhe and surrounding villages). Trails to both begin at Braveheart Cart Park.
Glen Nevis is a real paradise on Earth – breathtaking, captivating, and iconic. The very essence of Scotland. A magical place I will never forget. It certainly gives nearby Glen Coe a run for it’s money. If you have any time and you are near the area or passing through Fort William I highly encourage you to at least take a drive through this gorgeous glen. No matter where you stop you will be surrounded by the quintessential emerald slopes and abundant waters of the fabled Scottish Highlands. I dare any visitor to not be inspired by the glory of Glen Nevis.
It just doesn’t get any more Scottish than this view from a small roadside turnout found about halfway up Glen Nevis. The summit of Ben Nevis, Scotland’s highest point, is lost in the growing clouds above the glen.
Glen Nevis – Limited Edition
Emerald slopes rise from the side of Glen Nevis up to Ben Nevis, Scotland’s highest peak, with its summit lost in the clouds. This right here is quintessential Scotland in summer: foxgloves and heather blooming in the meadows and a few sheep grazing here and there near the lazy stream, when the entire countryside is … Read more
Cautions
Overall, midges are probably the biggest nuisance here, especially in spring and summer. These tiny biting flies can reach unbearable levels at times. Definitely bring S’midge or another repellent. Winter snow is both a draw and a caution as well. The road tapers down from a big paved highway to a dirt single track. Watch / move for cars when on the bridge at Lower Falls and at the small roadside turnouts if you stop to snap a picture, which you should!
Cautions on individual trails vary from basically none to many depending on the difficulty of the trail. Some area trails, like Riverside and Paddy Bridge are fairly easy. In general most area trails are moderately steep and somewhat rocky, especially where trails traverse slopes. The trail to Steall Falls has a few trickier areas of navigating over rock as well as water on the steep trail creating slippery conditions plus some trailside dropoffs. Do not attempt to cross the cable bridge if you don’t feel comfortable – you can cross the little river pretty easily about 100 yards above the bridge (not without getting your feet wet).
Getting There
Glen Nevis Road breaks off the A82 in Fort William at the traffic circle just souht of the A82 bridge over River Nevis. All sites listed are directly on the main road.
Photographer’s Tip
With so much to see and photograph, bring all the lenses and gear you’ve got! In my opinion Steall Falls looks better from across the river or from downstream than it does up close – there are trees near the falls base as well as foreshortening which combine to make it hard to really see the falls fully from the base. You’ll likely want a wider lens at Lower Falls because the bridge is really close to the falls (watch for cars when on the bridge).
Reaching Upper Glen Nevis involves a moderately difficult hike up a rocky trail along the side of a forested gorge before reaching the open, winding valley which was carved flat by glaciers around 10,000 years ago.
Misty Morning In The Glen
I did the hike to Upper Glen Nevis early, before breakfast. It was raining a bit as I followed the rocky trail along the side of a steep gorge. It was honestly fairly miserable – cold and wet. Just as the rain stopped I reached the glen, and I couldn’t believe my eyes. Behold…Paradise! The … Read more
Links
Steall Waterfall Hikes:
https://www.alltrails.com/ar/trail/scotland/highlands/steall-falls-path
https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/fortwilliam/steallfalls.shtml
https://www.wandersomewhere.com/travel/steall-waterfall-walk-guide
https://www.walkingenglishman.com/scotland15.html
https://www.abfabtravels.com/steall-falls-two-ways-to-hike
https://www.nevislandscape.co.uk/latest/35-paddys-bridge-to-steall-falls-a-new-nevis-path
Dun Deardall Fort and Cow Hill:
https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/glen-nevis
https://forestryandland.gov.scot/learn/heritage/visit-heritage-sites/dun-deardail-fort
https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/fortwilliam/dun-deardail.shtml
https://www.alltrails.com/ar/trail/scotland/highlands/cow-hill-circular-from-braveheart-car-park
https://www.alltrails.com/ar/trail/scotland/highlands/cow-hill
https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/fortwilliam/cowhill.shtml
https://fatmap.com/discover/route/united-kingdom/highland/hiking/cow-hill-hike/3089156
All Abilities Path:
https://www.alltrails.com/ar/trail/scotland/highlands/river-nevi-glen-nevi
https://www.highland.gov.uk/news/article/10122/new_bridge_and_all-abilities_path_open_to_the_public
