Details
Region: Argyll & Bute
Location: multiple locations along A82
DEN Rating: 9/10
Trail Length: varies
Trail Type: varies. Mostly out and back, with a few loop hike options plus through hikes on West Highland Way.
Hike Time: varies
Trail Difficulty: varies, most are easy 2-4/10.
Elevation Gain: varies
Trail Surface: dirt
Popularity: 10/10 overall, individual trails vary
Family friendly: yes
Pet friendly: yes
Handicapped Accessible: yes at Glencoe Visitors Center and at roadside viewpoints, no on most trails.
Swimming: yes
Camping: campground near Visitors Center, backpack camping allowed.
Restroom: flush toilets at visitors center. Trails and trailheads do not have toilets.
Open Hours:
- trails open 24 hours
- Glencoe Visitors Center open 9:30AM – 5AM daily excluding holidays.
Season: year-round
Pass or Permit: none required
Managed By: Scottish National Trust
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Stunning scenery meets a famously tragic history in gorgeous Glen Coe, in the West Highlands of Scotland. The drive through this glacially carved valley is absolutely breathtaking, with myriad viewpoints en route. Trails trace the rivers and streams through the glen, while the Glencoe Visitors Center illuminates the human history of the area. Fully exploring Glen Coe takes a day, and trust me when I say it will no doubt be a day well spent!
The Glen Coe region includes all of Glen Coe itself, with the village of Glencoe at the lower end of the valley where it opens onto the side of Loch Leven (a long sea loch) plus the upper portion of wilder Glen Etive and the surrounding mountains. In accordance with Scottish tradition, the town is named Glencoe while the valley itself is Glen Coe.
We visited the area sporadically over three days, mixing it in with other nearby natural and historic sites, and following the fleeting patches of sunshine up and down the glen. On a day with decent weather it would be much easier to explore the entire area in one single day rather than returning over and over like we did. As it turned out we were in the area during a fairly wet spell so we hopped around, avoiding the rain or driving through it. One thing I will say is the weather here moved really fast and changed constantly, although I’m sure it does have its more stable days.
A Brief History of the Glen
The entire West Highlands region was formed by a mix of volcanic eruptions and plate tectonics. Rain and snow runoff carved the original valleys, but it was a period of glaciation around ten thousand years ago that created the wide glens with flat bottoms and steep sides that we see today. The forests of the glens were largely cleared by humans over the centuries for farming and pastureland, and to use the wood for fuel and building materials, resulting in open, grassy, pastoral scenery with tremendous views.
Glen Coe has seen human habitation for centuries, possibly thousands of years. In the 1600s the area was dotted with the turf huts of local sheep farmers and controlled by the MacDonald Clan. When, in early 1692, the clan chief was unable to appear at court to swear fealty to the new king due to severe weather, the king sent his men to occupy Glencoe, with members of the rival Campbell Clan eagerly joining the ranks. After twelve days of locals hosting the king’s army, the commander signaled for the slaughter to begin. Many of those who escaped the sword died of exposure in the winter cold. In all 38 residents perished in what is known today as The Glencoe Massacre. The glen was further transformed into a cattle ranching region in the 1800s, once again pushing local residents out. In the 20th century the land became part of the National Trust for Scotland, who now manages the land as a nature and cultural preserve.
The Skyfall Waterfall in Glen Etive: remote, utterly gorgeous, and well worth the fifteen minute journey down the dirt single-track road.
Skyfall Waterfall in Glen Etive – V
On our first day in the incredible West Highlands of Scotland we veered off the beaten path for a few miles, attempting a single-track road (which had zero traffic so it was easy) to reach this breathtaking view in Glen Etive. We had the whole place to ourselves and set about exploring and checking out … Read more
A General Plan For The Day
A day in Glencoe should include the Glencoe Visitors Center. Here visitors will find modern facilitiies including a large 3D map of the region, a well-made film on the history of Glencoe which highlights the infamous Glencoe Massacre, and a nice gift shop and cafe. I was surprised there were not more artifacts displayed as they surely exist. Outside there’s some delightful Highland coos with their reddish emo-kid bangs and a faithfully reconstructed Turf and Creel House which visitors can go inside of. Glencoe Visitors Center is free of charge but there is a few pounds charge for parking, with a few pay kiosks around the parking areas, all of which take cash and card payments.
The Turf and Kreel House at the Glencoe Visitors Center is a faithful reconstruction of a residential farmstead home of local residents from the 1600s, a far cry from the 10-story stone and brick plague-ridden tenements of the closes of Edinburgh at the time.
Glencoe Turf and Kreel House
This building is a recreation of a Scottish West Highlands farm residence from the late 1600s. Known as the Turf and Kreel House, it stands at the Glencoe Visitors Center in Scotland’s incredible Argyll region. Guests can go inside the building, which has walls made of woven branches backed by blocks of turf. Inside are … Read more
If you arrive before the Visitors Center opens and the wet stuff is not pouring down then definitely hit some of the viewpoints on A82 first, as the lighting early in day is sublime and there won’t be as many folks around. Once the Visitors Center opens head there, check it out, get a mid-morning coffee or tea and some goodies, then head back out. Alternatively, if the afternoon forecast calls for rain, go to the viewpoints in the morning and the Visitors Center in the afternoon. If it’s clear out the viewpoints all get busy from mid-morning through until happy hour. There are far fewer folks around overall in the earlier morning and later afternoon. In the evening the place to the be is at the top of the glen near Kingshouse Hotel or in Glen Etive, which you will likely have almost completely to yourself.
If you do not bring food with you then you will wind up traveling up and down the glen a few times as all restaurants and services are at the bottom of the glen in the villages of Glencoe, Ballachulish, and Kinlochleven / Kinlochmore, all built along the shoreline of Loch Leven. It’s only 13 miles from the top of the glen to Glencoe, so driving up and down isn’t too big of a distance or time commitment. All three have food and lodging options. In addition, Kingshouse Hotel stands solo near the top of the glen, is quite nice, and is popular with backpackers due to its trailside location along the West Highland Way. If you head to Kinlochleven for a meal I highly suggest a quick hike to Gray Mare’s Tail Waterfall which is right outside of town.
Hikes and Viewpoints
Several trails can be found tracing the valley floor as well as traversing the sides of the glen up to viewpoints on top of the peaks. The trails on the valley floor are easy, while going up the sides means steeper terrain. If you want to hike but don’t know which trail to check out, either stroll the easy Glen Coe Trail along River Coe or go to the Visitors Center and ask them – staff are on hand to make a recommendation based on your alotted hike time and desired level of trail difficulty.
Here are all of the viewpoints and carparks in Glen Coe, starting from the bottom of the valley in Glencoe and heading up to the headwaters near Rannoch Moor, then heading down Glen Etive. If you’re coming from Glasgow or Edinburgh via Loch Lomond you will hit the viewpoints in reverse order. The names used are those found on Google Maps.
Three Hikes off Gleann Comhann
Glencoe Orbital Walk and Glencoe Lochan
This fairly flat and easy trail leads through pretty woods before arriving at views of Glencoe Lochan (a lochan is a small lake). Pick up the trailhead on the east side of the bridge over River Coe on Gleann Comhann / The Carnoch road in Glencoe Village.
Hagrid’s Hut
While the hut is no longer on site, the location is unmistakable. Park at the Clachaig Inn (just continue south up the glen from Glen Coe Orbital Walk, walk back north on the road once parked, then follow the scramble path up through the woods to the site. If you walk past the small loch on the left you’ve gone too far.) It’s a short trek up but it’s likely muddy. I did not eat at the Clachaig Inn but reviews are good. EV charging is available here.
Coe River Falls
Similar to Hagrid’s Hut, park at Clachaig Inn and walk south along the road for about 10 minutes, then follow the footpaths down to the falls. Expect some muddy or wet patches near the falls. The road meets A82 about 1/4 mile beyond the falls.
Glen Coe Viewpoints and Hikes on A82
Lowest Carpark
Just outside of Glencoe as you begin heading up the glen there’s a carpark / lay-by with a great mountain view on the right. If you reach Glencoe Visitors Center you’ve passed it.
Glencoe Visitors Center / Glencoe Camping and Caravanning Club Site
A must stop which takes up to an hour, longer if you’re eating at the cafe. The campground has full ammenities including on-site laundry.
Signal Rock and An Torr
A driveway on the north side of A82 (on the left if you’re heading up from Glencoe) leads to a free carpark. From there a trail leads to Signal Rock, with a side trail with switchbacks leading up through An Torr forest before connecting back to the main trail again, creating a loop.
Loch Achtriochtan
The parking area is directly across from the intersection with Gleann Comhann, and is frequently full. Very popular trails lead up along the side of the loch. The scenery here is just incredible.
Loch Achtriochtan Viewpoint Car Park
From here you get a view looking down onto Loch Achtriochtan from above.
Hidden Valley Bus Park
Regular passenger vehicles can park here too. Glorious views of the glen and the walls around it encircle you, with trails leading into the glen and then up the steep “hidden valley” alongside the Three Sisters formation.
Three Sisters Viewpoint
The view from here looking across Glen Coe to the hulking figures of the Three Sisters is one of the best in the area. This group of three highland peaks in the ridgeline separating Glen Coe from Glen Etive are immediately recognizable and immensely scenic. Similar to the Hidden Valley Bus Park just down the road, trails connect to the mid-glen trail and the trail up Hidden Valley.
The main falls at The Meeting of Three Waters is the easiest waterfall to see along A82.
Meeting of Three Waters
Meeting of Three Waters in Glen Coe is the point where three separate streams all converge into one…two larger streams which are almost small rivers plus one smaller stream that spills into the canyon from the side. This gorgeous waterfall is on the middle fork of the three and is certainly the show stopper, especially … Read more
Aonach Eagach Car Park
We stopped here. The views aren’t as good – the road is in the way. Drive on.
The Meeting Of Three Waters / Parking Place
There’s a small parking area just uphill of The Meeting Of Three Waters, an absolutely gorgeous waterfall found where three streams meet. There is a sidewalk down to the developed viewpoint adjacent to the falls. A small scramble path leads down to the base of the falls and then along the waterside to Saowanee Waterfall. This one is more difficult.
Lairig Eilge Car Park
A honeycomb cairn stands right across the road from this carpark.
Parking Place With Waterfall
The waterfall is a short set of pretty slides and horsetails viewable from the parking place.
Parking Lay By
Nice overall views at this one. Halfway between this one and the previous one is a trail that leads along the north side of the glen down to Ralston Cairn near The Meeting Of Three Waters.
Glencoe Viewpoint
This view looks over the divide from where River Coe begins flowing west while River Coupall begins flowing east. Just beautiful!
Buachaille Etive Mor Car Park
This is one of the best car parks. From here the West Highland Way heads up Devil’s Staircase before descending down to Kinlochleven. The view south across the glen features a wee white cottage residing in the middle of the glen with Buachaille Etive Mor rising skyward behind it. There is a restroom at this carpark. We waited to get a picture here for about twenty minutes but the rain was just coming down relentlessly so we eventually moved on.
Kingshouse Hotel and Cauldron Falls
Parking here is paid via The Ring parking app, which requires a UK telephone number to use. A short stroll up the West Highland Way leads past Cauldron Falls. Deer sightings are common here and songbirds are plentiful.
Glencoe Mountain Resort and Altnafeadh Viewpoint
Follow the road west (it’s also the West Highland Way) to Glencoe Mountain Resort, where you can take a chairlift up to the top of the peak for stunning views looking over the moors and down the glen. Altnafeadh Viewpoint is at the intersection with A82.
The view from Glencoe Viewpoint is one of the most dramatic. It doesn’t get anymore Scottish than this!
The Soul of Scotland
Lofty green peaks brush the clouds as they rise above the sea of emerald grasses and heather in Glen Coe, Scotland. Stunning, dramatic landscapes surround you here as clouds race by, bringing ever-changing moments of rain and sun. History has played out here as well over the centuries, sometimes quite tragically. If I had to … Read more
Glen Etive
The road down Glen Etive is found between the Wee White Cottage and Kingshouse Hotel. The road is a paved single track with passing places, becoming gravel a little ways down. When we visited in the evening on the 1st of July we only saw a few other people in the entire glen. It’s every bit as stunning as next door Glen Coe and absolutely worth the time. Trust me on this one, Glen Etive is one of the prettiest places I have ever seen!
Stob Dearg Car Park
This car park is found almost immediately after turning onto the Glen Etive road, and has a fantastic view of conical Buachaille Etive Mor.
Glen Etive Waterfall Viewpoint
There’s space for a few cars, with scramble paths leading onto the rocks next to the waterfall. This spot is really beautiful and fun to explore.
Skyfall Scene / Skyfall Waterfall
Park at the bridge over River Etive. You can walk up the road to the next passing place, which is where one of the scenes in the James Bond film Skyfall was filmed. The Skyfall Waterfall is quite scenic, with various boot paths leading all around it to different views. Watch out for muddy spots as you explore.
Lochan Urr
A small side road leads to parking for little Lochan Urr. Like the rest of Glen Etive, this is a gorgeous spot, especially when the winds are still and the lochan reflects the beautiful scenery and skyscapes of the Scottish Highlands.
Loch Etive
The road eventually becomes a web which branches off here and there to various pretty viewpoints. If you manage to follow the main road all the way down the glen it ends at the top of Loch Etive. I did not travel all the way down to the loch.
Glencoe Itineraries
It would be nearly impossible to visit all of the viewpoints and destinations in the Glencoe area in one day unless you got an extremely early start in the morning. Assuming you’re more on the average side you’ll need to pick and choose a bit. Here’s what I suggest:
Easy Street: Glencoe for families with young children and folks with mobility concerns
- Glencoe Visitors Center (get a beverage and a snack)
- Loch Achtriochtan
- Three Sisters Viewpoint (Hidden Valley Trail is quite easy)
- The Meeting Of Three Waters
- Glencoe Viewpoint
- Stob Dearg Car Park (top of Glen Etive)
- lunch at Clachaig Inn
- Glencoe Orbital Walk to Glencoe Lochan
- Gray Mare’s Tail Waterfall
- dinner at The Tailrace Inn in Kinlochmore
Glencoe for Waterfall Hunters
- Gray Mare’s Tail Waterfall
- Coe River Falls
- lunch at Clachaig Inn
- The Meeting of Three Waters – hike down to Saowanee Falls
- Parking Place with Waterfall
- Cauldron Falls
- Glen Etive Waterfall Viewpoint
- Skyfall Waterfall
- dinner in Glencoe or at Kingshouse Hotel
Glencoe for Movie Fans
- Glencoe Visitors Center
- Hagrid’s Hut
- Coe River Falls
- lunch at Clachaig Inn
- Loch Atriochtan
- Three Sisters Viewpoint
- The Meeting Of Three Waters
- Glencoe Viewpoint
- Skyfall Waterfall in Glen Etive
- dinner in Glencoe
Glencoe For Hikers & Solitude Seekers
- Gray Mare’s Tail Waterfall
- Glencoe Orbital Walk
- Hagrid’s Hut and Coe River Falls
- lunch at Clachaig Inn
- Signal Rock and An Torr
- Hidden Valley Trail (park at Three Sisters Viewpoint)
- trail to Ralston Cairn
- Cauldron Falls
- Glen Etive locations
- dinner in Glencoe
Glencoe for Photographers
If the day has changing conditions, your best bet is to go where the sun is or at least where the rain is not. Hit some of the A82 viewpoints early, then come into town around lunchtime, eat and check out the Visitor’s Center. Then head back up the glen, then down Glen Etive later in the afternoon, where every viewpoint and stopping spot are spectacular all the way down to Lochan Urr. If it’s open take the chairlift to the top of Glencoe Mountain as well. If you have time to hike, Hidden Valley Trail is one with amazing views and is quite easy.
The epic view from Stob Dearg Carpark, right at the start of the road down Glen Etive, looks across the blooming meadows to mighty Buachaille Etive Mor (on the left) which divides Glen Coe from Glen Etive.
Cautions
The biggest danger is the A82 itself. Vehicles are constantly pulling off and getting back on, and the traffic gets heavy at times with a 50 mph speed limit. Add to it possible pedestrians walking on the side of the highway or running across the road from their car to the viewpoint, slow tour buses, faster vehicles attempting to pass slow-moving vehicles, and a few corners with limited line of sight and you’ve got a recipe for danger.
The majority of the Glen Coe area is very environmentally safe, with wide and fairly flat trails. There are a lot of muddy spots, especially near the waterfalls. Please watch your step to protect the little plants. Rain, dropping temperatures, and high winds can all come up quickly so be prepared for the “in Scotland you experience all four seasons in the same day” concept to play out here. Currents can get strong in the rivers when the water is high. Midges (little biting flies) can be anywhere from absent to swarming – S’midge and Avon Skin So Soft are two popular products to fend them off. If winds are high the midges will stay hunkered down in the grass. Apparently ticks are a small possibility in the brushy ferns but not in the short grass.
Getting There
A82 is the main highway between Glasgow and Inverness through Fort William and the Great Glen / Loch Ness. The majority of viewpoints and trailheads are right on A82. Most are signed. The road down Glen Etive heads west from A82 in between Glencoe Mountain and Buachaille Etive Mor. To get to Hagrid’s Hut and the other locations on Gleann Comhann, turn north onto B863 (signed for Kinlochleven) then immediately turn right onto The Carnoch which soon becomes Gleann Comhann.
Photographer’s Tip
There is a lot to photograph throughout the area, so bring it all! I used everything focal length from 12mm to 300mm here. A polarizing filter and a neutral-density filter could both be useful as well. One thing I used when I was here was a cover for my camera to keep it dry. Lens cleaning supplies could also be helpful to deal with rain droplets and condensation. Be prepared for shifting light levels and quickly changing conditions. The evening light at the top of the glen near Kingshouse Hotel is fantastic.
The Skyfall Waterfall in Glen Etive was a filming location for the James Bond movie. Beware of muddy patches when you explore down near the waterfall.
Skyfall Waterfall in Glen Etive – H
On our first day in the incredible West Highlands of Scotland we veered off the beaten path for a few miles, attempting a single-track road (which had zero traffic so it was easy) to reach this breathtaking view in Glen Etive. We had the whole place to ourselves and set about exploring and checking out … Read more
Links
https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/glencoe/highlights/visitor-centre
https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/glencoe
https://www.visitscotland.com/places-to-go/glencoe
https://ohwhataknight.co.uk/blog/the-best-things-to-do-in-glencoe
https://www.highlandtitles.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-glencoe
https://www.wandersomewhere.com/travel/glencoe-scotland
https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/glencoe/glencoe/index.html
