Glen Nevis Attractions
Fort William and Lochaber are known as the Outdoor Capital of the UK in the Scottish Highlands. Our Lochaber Group Duty Manager (covering our Youth Hostels in Glen Nevis, Glencoe and Loch Ossian) has given us some hints and tips about what to get up to in the area, including some facts, must see or do’s and hidden gems that are well worth discovering.
Facts about the area
Glen Nevis is situated at the foot of the UK’s Highest Mountain – Ben Nevis. Ben Nevis attracts an estimated 125,000 complete ascents per year. The summit, at 1,344 metres is no leisurely walk, with the normal time taken to climb to the top by the tourist path three and a half to five hours, coming down is much faster, between one and a half to two hours.
Steall Falls is also situated in Glen Nevis. As the second highest waterfall in the UK, Steall Falls has a single drop of 120 metres. For those looking for something other to do than climb Ben Nevis, there are various routes you can take depending on the length of time you have, to see these magnificent falls.
Fort William and Lochaber have been named Outdoor Capital of the UK for a very good reason. With excellent routes for biking, hillwalking and mountaineering, it is a dream destination for those seeking adventures in Scotland. This area is also ideal for water sports in the spring/summer and water sports in the winter.
Must Do’s/See’s
The Nevis Range mountain gondola is the only of its kind in Britain. It is a highly acclaimed visitor attraction, allowing sightseers to enjoy a scenic ride, whilst absorbing the stunning views and clear mountain air. The 12-15 minute journey allows breath-taking views of the Scottish Highlands, including the Great Glen, Ben Nevis and surrounding areas.
From May until October the Jacobite Steam Train runs from Fort William to Mallaig. Described as one of the greatest railway journeys of the world this 84 mile round trip take you past a list of impressive sights including Ben Nevis. ‘The Jacobite’ also provided the steam engine and carriages for the ‘Hogwarts Express’ as seen in the Harry Potter films, some of the carriages were even used in the films. The Jacobite also travels the line used in the films, you can see the famous Glenfinnan viaduct, an unmistakeable landmark for all Harry Potter fans.
For those who enjoy an active lifestyle, a trip to Glen Nevis would not be complete without climbing Ben Nevis. Though there are literally hundreds of routes to the summit of Ben Nevis, the vast majority of these are for climbers only. For the walker that are just two recommended routes. During the winter, a high level of fitness required for all of the routes.
The walk to Steall Falls is through the stunning and powerful Nevis Gorge to the tranquil glaciated Steall meadows, where you can risk a very wet drop by attempting the ‘Steall Bridge’, a single strand of wire which spans the river.
Hidden Gems
There are many hidden gems around the Lochaber area, Cille Choirill is a very sacred 15th century church in a tranquil area which also boasts being used during filming of ‘Monarch of the Glen’. This lovely church sits high above the road, about a mile beyond Roy Bridge. For centuries Cille Choirill has been the ancestral burial place of the MacDonells of Keppoch, many of whose monuments still survive. The famous warrior bard Iain Lom MacDonald who died in 1709 is also said to lie here.
Find out more about Glen Nevis YH, Glencoe YH, Loch Ossian YH
