Map showing the start point of wildlife focused walks in and around Lochaber. Each walk has a description describing the route and key points of interest together with a set of photographs capturing the essence of the walk. Routes are shown on Google and OS maps as a general guide.
A lovely walk (The North Side Trail) along the north side of Kinloch Glen with some stunning mountain views and traversing a mosaic of habitats including woodland, heath, wet meadow and bog.
The walk skirts around fields with some lovely wooded sections. The fields (mainly wet meadow/...
A walk to a beautiful beach on the Ardnamurchan peninsula with fabulous views of The Small Isles and Ardnamurchan Point. The beach is fabulous with white sands and clear turquoise seas, with an abundance of shells on the strand line. Look out for raptors, including golden eagle, in the...
A circular walk starting in the village of Portuairk, up through the hills and along to beautiful beach at Bay MacNeil and back along single track road and woodland.
This is a lovely coastal walk through some fine stretches of heathland and upland grassland, with some stunning coastal...
A fantastic walk to the beautiful white sandy beaches of Sanna bay on the Ardnamurchan peninsula, with the option of extending the walk to the hills beyond the dunes. The walk affords amazing views of Ardnamurchan Point and the Small Isles, as well as providing the opportunity to explore...
A little gem of a walk through hazel woodland to open heathland offering a real taste of wild Ardnamurchan. A great short and highly rewarding walk, providing an opportunity to explore some fine wood and open habitats and, if lucky, encountered some iconic species. There are spectacular views...
A stunning walk affording panoramic views of a volcanic ring dyke and caldera, the remains of an ancient volcano on the Ardnamurchan peninsula. The walk also offers an opportunity to explore the deserted village of Glendrian (option 1) and as well as a more challenging route (option 2) to the...
A lovely walk along a glen from Fascadale Bay to the shingle inlet of Port Eigin-aig on the Ardnamurchan peninsula, with good chances of seeing raptors and red deer.
There are some lovely views of the surrounding low hills of the Glen, dominated by Meall an Fhir-eoin and the surrounding...
Please note as of 2013 access to Mingarry Castle is not possible due to restoration work.
A short walk to Mingary Castle and to a lovely rocky shoreline and shingle beach. The route heads through rough grassland/pasture, and affords good views of Ben Hiant and Beinn na-h...
A short walk to Kilmory Beach on the Ardnamurchan peninsula, a lovely sheltered sandy beach on the north coast of the Ardnamurchan peninsula. The beach is punctuated by numerous rocky outcrops of heavily jointed igneous rocks, and fringed with green and purple hued boulders and shingle. The...
The austere rugged profile of Ben Hiant (528m) dominates the northern shore of Loch Sunart of the Ardnamurchan peninsula with its bare rock exposures and jutting outcrops.
Ben Hiant epitomises the complex geology of the Ardnamurchan region being a conglomeration of quartz-dolerite,...
This is a stunning walk across a wild rugged terrain to a beautiful beach. The walk passes through heathland with some stunning coastal and hill views, with particularly fine views to the Small Isles, Mull and Skye. Gortenfern beach is lovely sandy beach and a great...
A lovely walk to the small remote chapel of St Columba on the Morvern peninsula. The impressive cream rendered chapel with its attractive stonework and distinctive battlemented tower is perched on raised ground overlooking the Sound of Mull.
There are some lovely coastal views at the...
An interesting walk along the rocky shore line from the inlet at Camus nan Geall on the Ardnamurchan peninsula. The fertile ground on Camus nan Geall has a long history of settlement as evidenced by an ancient chambered cairn and standing stone. The site has also served as a burial ground...
Glenborrodale on the Ardnamurchan peninsula is the RSPB’s most westerly reserve and managed for its oak woodlands. This is a pleasant walk through deciduous woodland onto heath/moorland on the north shore of Loch Sunart, with excellent views over Loch Sunart.
A good spot for raptors on...
A rewarding walk to the magnificant beach at Port nam Murrach at the end of the Rhu peninsula near Arisaig, Morar with fabulous views on route of clear blue seas, dotted with small islands. A great place for a seashore safari, bird watching, botanising or just relaxing in this stunning location...
A pleasant walk along a rough/coastal path to the ancient crofting village of Smirisary in Moidart and onto the silvery sands. Good views over the Bay of Arisaig and to the Small Isles. The species-rich coastal grassland, the sandy shell beach and clear blue seas make it an ideal spot for...
An enjoyable walk to the beautiful Singing Sands at Gortenfern in the Ardnamurchan, skirting around the southern edge of Kentra Bay and then through coniferous plantation. Kentra Bay contains a large expanse of mudflat at low tide and small fragments of salt marsh, sand dune and machair. The...
A lovely gentle stroll along farm tracks around the Strath of Arisaig with good views of the surrounding hills, canal and Loch nan Eala. There are also some fine views of the shoreline of a sea loch, Arisaig and the Small Isles.
Look out for a range of woodland and farmland birds on...
A lovely walk to explore the silvery beach at Camusdarach and the sandy bays beyond (at low tide). Take time to explore the coast, dunes and wildlife amidst stunning scenery.
The walk heads across beaches and through marram stabilised dunes, glowing golden with gorse and broom in Spring...
The walk follows the Savary River through sections of deciduous woodland and coniferous plantation along paths and forest tracks of Savary Glen, Fiunary Forest.
The deciduous woodland consists mainly alder, hazel, beech, rowan, sycamore, birch, ash, oak and cherry, with an understory of...
A short walk through Caledonian pine and Atlantic oak woodland with fine views over Loch Sunart on the Ardnamurchan peninsula. Other tree species on route include hazel, alder and rowan.
This is a popular spot to stop for a break when on route to Glenborrodale or Ardnamurchan point with...
A lovely walk through the gardens of Làrach Mòr on the Arisaig Estate in the former kitchen gardens and nursery of Glen House. The gardens were developed as a woodland garden by John Augustus Holms in the 1920s to support an extensive collection of rhododendronspecies. The gardens contain...
A lovely circular walk on a fine day around Loch an Nostarie across the hills to Mallaig. There are spectacular views of Loch an Nostarie with its pine studded islands, as well as the surroundings hills and crags. There is also an opportunity to explore the picturesque fishing port of Mallaig...
A short walk to the fantastic silver sands on Bourblach beach in Morar Bay between Arisaig and Mallaig. The beach is the real star of this walk. The beach is particularly lovely at low tide, with its rocky outcrops, surrounded by low, undulating heather-clad hills.
Look out for ravens on...
An easy and enjoyable walk from Castle Tioram at Dorlin along the banks of the River Shiel with good opportunities for spotting wildlife.
The walk gives an opportunity to enjoy heathland, woodland and coastal habitat. At low tide the large sandy beach by Castle Tioram is a good place for...
A very pleasant and interesting walk through woodland, heathland, moorland and along coastal tracks with stunning views over Loch Moidart with its many pine clad islands and Castle Tioram.
The route follows small water courses lined with mainly alder, birch, ash, willow and ash; the...
A short circular walk around the hills and village of the small picturesque fishing port of Mallaig with great views to the Skye and The Small Isles.
A very pleasant walk, ideal if you wish to explore more of the area or whilst awaiting your ferry trip. The fishing and ferry port of...
An easy walk along a private road on the North side of Loch Teacuis with an optional foray further along the side of the loch. The private road meanders through farmland, along the northern shore of Loch Teacuis and through Atlantic oak woodland to Rahoy House. Good opportunities to look out...
A short pleasant walk through and skirting a forestry plantation (mainly of Sitka spruce) with some good views of the surrounding hills and the Sound of Mull. Path well defined with some boardwalk sections on route. Look out for raptors overhead and a range of butterflies (including Scotch...
A circular walk on track and road across Kentra Moss with good opportunities for botanising and bird watching. Kentra Moss, together with nearby Claish Moss, is one of the few examples of eccentric mires in Britain being a fine example of oceanic blanket bog.
The walk provides good...
A lovely walk through woodland and then out onto open heath, skirting around the edge of Blain lochan with good views of the surrounding hills of Beinn Gheur and Beinn Bhreac and stunning views over Loch Moidart to the Small Isles. There is an opportunity to take a...
A lovely walk to Prince Charlie's Cave and Borrodale Beach with some fine coastal and mountain views on route. Take time to explore the beauty of the coastline and explore the bays and headlands keeping your eyes open for a range of coastal and grassland wildlife. You pass by some lovely oak...
An interesting circular walk to explore the deserted township of Aoineadh Mor (pronounced Inniemore). There are three walks (Mary’s Path, James’s path and the Township Path) that can be combined into a circular trail. James and Mary’s path pass mainly through mixed pine plantations of spruce...
A lovely short walk from the banks of Loch Morar to the nearby low lying hill loch, Loch a’ Bhada Dharaich. The walk passes through a range of habitat types including heath, scattered with patches of Scots pine, and oak-birch woodland and then onto the Loch. Good views of hills and crags are...
A lovely walk through mainly coniferous woodland on a forest track with some fine glimpses of Ben Resipol on route, and of Loch Shiel towards the end of the track. There is an optional detour to the edges of Claish Moss approximately 2 miles from the start of the walk.
The forest track...
A pleasant, scenic walk and interesting walk along the old track on the north side of Loch Moidart that formerly connected Glenuig and Kinlochmoidart. There are excellent views of Loch Moidart on route.
The area has a long history and turbulent history of occupation, including an Iron...
This is a lovely walk along a tarmac track by the shores of Loch Aline through coastal deciduous woodland, affording some lovely views of the loch, surrounding hills and Ardtornish House.
The coastal woodland is stunning composed of hazel, ash, sycamore, alder, beech, rowan, elm, oak and...
An interesting and enjoyable way-marked circular woodland walk through a lovely section of Atlantic oak woodland on the northern shore of Loch Sunart, with good coastal views of Salen Bay and Loch Sunart.
The path is way marked and well defined, with a few small ascents and descents on...
The Salen Alphabet Trail provides an interesting introduction to the importance of nature and plants to the Gaelic culture. The information boards in the car park introduce the Gaelic alphabet which has eighteen letters, each of which is associated with a species of tree. The walk also...
The Bay of Flies, near Salen in the Ardnamurchan is a natural harbour formerly used to export goods, such as charcoal, oak bark and brushwood. The Viking's were also reputed to have stored their boats over winter in the harbour. The short, circular walk descends along a well-defined path...
An interesting walk to a an impressive waterfall, named in honour of Alfred, Lord Tennyson who was a regular visitor to Old Ardtornish House in the 19th century. The route follows a track along the shores of Loch Aline, passing by an old lime kiln, before ascending the lower flanks of Goirtein...
A lovely walk through oak wood and onto open heath, following the Beasdale Burn towards Bealach a Mhama. Stunning views of the surrounding hills of Aodam an t Sidhein Mhoir and Sidean Mor to the north, Drium Fiaclach and Glac Ruadh to the south and Beinn na Caorachand Beinn nan Cabar to the...
The Prince's Walk is an interesting circular walk through the grounds of Kinlochmoidart estate and woodlands (marked red on the map). The walk is named after the association of the original house with the 1745 uprising in support of Princes Charles.
The route passes...
A walk through oak woodland and heathland along the shores of Loch Arienas to the deserted village of Arienas in the Scottish Wildlife Trust Rahoy Hills Reserve. The Rahoy Hill Reserve is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Look out for golden eagle, buzzard, golden...
A pleasant, scenic walk along the north shore of Loch Morar to Tarbet. You can either return by the same route or, by pre-arrangement, catch the ferry (Bruce Watt) back to Mallaig via Loch Nevis. The walk to Tarbet is 12 km, but you can retrace your steps at any stage, making for a pleasant...
An easy walk along a good track into the hills and wilderness behind the Scottish Wildlife Trust Rahoy Hills Reserve along the banks of the Black Water River.
There are excellent views on route of the surrounding hills of Braigh Uladail to the east and Meall Achadh a’ Chuirn and Monadh...
An easy walk along road and track to the ruins of Ardtornish Castle on The Morvern Peninsula.
The walk provides a wonderful opportunity to explore a ruined castle and affords fabulous views over Loch Aline and the Sound of Mull. There are also some lovely mixed deciduous woodland on route...
A lovely, but fairly strenuous, and long coastal walk along the shores of Loch Moidart, with the possibility of seeing otters and a range of coastal birds. The walk is a ‘there and back’, although parts of the Silver Walk are incorporated into other routes, namely Blain Burn and Castle Tioram...
A magical woodland walk through coniferous plantations to the hills beside Loch Moidart. This is a fairly strenuous, circular walk through mainly coniferous woodland into the hills, with some steep ascents on well defined paths. Excellent views afforded over Loch Moidart to the Small Isles...
A lovely scenic walk through Glen Màma ascending through Atlantic oak woodland and onto wet meadow and heath to access a small freshwater loch, Loch Màma. The walk follows the course of the burn, Allt a' Mhama, and combines sections of gentle ascents, steep ascents and level sections, as you...
Ben Resipole, a Corbett, is the highest peak on the Ardnamurchan, and affords spectacular views of Loch Shiel, Loch Sunart, the Small Isles and Skye on a clear day. The route is strenuous and the path is muddy and indistinct in places. However, the walk is enriched by the changing vegetation...
A starting point for two very pleasant walks-Dalilea to the Green Isle walk, and the Dalilea to Kinlochmoidart walk.
The Green Isle Walk
The Green Isle Walk is a short pleasant walk along a track along the shores of Loch Shiel through rough grassland and pockets...
A fabulous walk on a fine day with stunning views of the hill loch, Loch Doir a Gherrrain and the coastal loch, Loch nan Uamh. The walk passes through a range of habitat types, including heath, woodland, upland marsh grassland and reed beds. Look out for skylark and pipits on the heath, red-...
An enjoyable walk following a gravelled track with good views of the hill lochan, Loch nan Lochan, and ascending to the reservoir at Glen Forslan. Fine hill scenery and the picturesque falls of Glenforslan make this a very pleasant walk. In addition, devil's bit scabious (Succisa patensis...
An occasionally steep, but well surfaced, gravel path meandering through native woodland from Ardery to the Garbh Eilean Wildlife Hide. The walk takes you through oak and birch woodland with an understory of mainly heather and bilberry (Calluna vulgaris, Vaccinium spp and ...
A pleasant walk in the Glenhurich Forest mainly along a forest track from Polloch, near Strontian, to the shores of Loch Shiel. The route passes through coniferous plantation, heath, and woodland. There are two viewpoints on route providing fine views across Loch Shiel whose restless waters...
A lovely walk through plantation and heath to the remains of the Corrantee Lead mines and beyond. The route follows a watercourse for some of its way and affords some spectacular views of the surrounding hills of Ardnamurchan, Sunart, Moidart and Morvern. A great walk for views and wildlife...
A lovely circular walk over moorland, woodland and along the banks of the Strontian River to Scotstown and Ardnastaing. The walk provides a good opportunity to enjoy the fauna and flora associated with deciduous and coniferous woodland, heath land and riparian habitats. The ground flora is...
The Corrantee Lead Mine is the most westerly of the mines around Strontian and can be reached from either Polloch or Strontian on the old coffin route. The path over the hills is well defined and affords some excellent views over the craggy hills of Sunart and Ardgour. The walk from Strontian...
A varied walk with some lovely sections along the banks of the Strontian River, the surrounding hills and through the Community Woodland at Strontian. The Community Woodland is a policy woodland, planted by the Riddle family in the 1800s as a symbol of wealth and importance. It contains over...
This is a lovely magical short walk through a former policy woodland. The woodland was planted by the Riddle family in the 1800s and boasts over 60 exotic and native species of tree, including firs, spruces and pines, as well as a range of fine specimen deciduous trees. There is a particular...
The Ariundle National Nature Reserve is a lovely place to visit at any time of the year, and there are two lovely walks through the woods and hills. The Reserve is a fine example of ancient coastal Atlantic oakwood and is recognised for its old oaks supporting a huge diversity and abundance of...
A pleasant walk through coniferous plantation and into the hills around Kingairloch. The walk passes by some unroofed sheiling huts and an abandoned settlement.
Larch, pine and spruce plantation support an understory of bryophytes, including Common Tamarisk-moss(Thuidium tamariscinum...
Sgurr Dhomhnuill at 888m is a Corbett and the highest peak in Ardgour. It can be reached by a continuation of the walk from The Ariundle Oakwoods via The Bellsgroves mines. The start point of the walk is the carpark at Ariundle.
A walk along a track following the banks of meandering Glengalmadale River to Glen Galmadale Dam with its fish ladder. There are lovely views of the surrounding high ridges, with the peaks of Beinn na Cille, Fuar Bheinn, Creach Bheinn, Maol Odbar, Meall nan Each dominating the landscape; part...
An interesting walk affording some great views of the Glenfinnan monument, Loch Shiel and the surrounding hills and crags. The walk passes through a range of habitat types, including woodland, heath and bog.
Look out for otter and dippers in the rivers, black throated diver on Loch Shiel...
National Trust for Scotland (NTS) Viewpoint
Park at the National Trust for Scotland car park (pay and display). Take the path by the interpretation board to the viewpoint. The short route ascends steeply on a stepped gravel path by the back of the...
A lovely short coastal walk along a promontory at Port Appin. Good views are afforded of Loch Linnhe, the Lynn of Lorne, the Isle of Lismore and the distant hills of Morvern and Mull.
The walk initially follows a gravelled track along the coastline, with cliffs to the left. The track...
Shian Wood is a Scottish Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve on the southern shores of Loch Creran. There is a lovely short walk through a variety of habitats, including rush pasture, wet heath and oak-hazel woodland. The path is well marked with some boardwalk sections over the wetter sections, but...
The Jubilee Bridge was built in 1898 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee and was designed to provide easy access to the Free Church from Portnacroish and, later, to the Railway Line (Ballahulish to Oban). The bridge spans the saltmarsh, known locally as The Marach, and has been...
A lovely walk around the shingle beaches of Cuil Bay on the Ardsheal peninsula. Good views are afforded of Loch Linnhe and the islands of Balnagowan, Shuna and Lismore, as well as some fine views of Ardsheal hill and beyond.
Most of the walk is through damp grassland/heathland, although...
A lovely walk through Glasdrum National Nature Reserve, a woodland reserve renowned for it’s exceptional bryophyte and lichen flora, as well as one of the top sites for chequered skipper and pearl border fritillary butterflies. The walk affords some stunning views of Glen Creran and the fjordic...
There are three walk short way marked routes through the Fassfern Estate. This walk combines sections of all three to produce an interesting and scenic walk through deciduous woodland, coniferous forest and moorland. The route is mostly along well-defined tracks with some small ascents and...
A lovely walk to an impressive series of waterfalls, with fine views of Loch Linnhe and the hills of Ardgour.
The route passes mainly through coniferous woodland and heath with a lovely section of deciduous woodland at the start of the walk. The deciduous woodland includes hazel, holly,...
A very pleasant walk from plantation with some fine views, historical connections and good wildlife spotting opportunities. The walk is signposted and on a good gravel path.
The walk mainly passes through coniferous plantation of Sitka spruce and birch/willow scrub. However, there are...
A lovely walk, mainly through plantation, on a well defined path, with some stunning views of the surrounding hills and of Loch Leven and Loch Linnhe. The route starts at the former Ballachulish Slate Quarry and returns through the lovely village of Ballachulish.
The walk passes...
This is a lovely woodland walk in Ardgour, near Fort William, through ancient semi-natural woodland and then out onto heath. There are some lovely coastal views over Loch Linnhe towards Fort William, Corpach, Inverlochy and the Ben Nevis Range on route, as well as at...
The walk starts at the lower loch at Corpach (Corpach Sea Loch), at the foot of the Caledonian Canal and heads along the towpath to Neptune’s Staircase. The route returns on the towpath on the opposite side of the canal
The Caledonian Canal is a 62 mile long waterway between Corpach in...
A pleasant walk between the Old Fort in Fort William and Old Inverlochy Castle along the banks of the River Lochy. The return route is through the village of Inverlochy, with its tribute to Aluminium Industry, the main employer of the region. The walk includes a section along Wade’s Road (...
This is a fabulous walk, affording some stunning views of the Ben Nevis Range , Loch Linnhe and Loch Eil and the township of Fort William and its environs.
The walk passes through some lovely sections of deciduous woodland, forestry plantation and heathland. The deciduous woodland...
An interesting walk around a lochan and through planted coniferous and native deciduous woodland. There are lovely views of Bidean Nam Bian and The Pap of Glencoe, which dominate the landscape.
Glencoe Estate was acquired in the 1895 by the Scottish born Donald Alexander Smith (later...
Alt Mhuic Butterfly Reserve is on the north shores of Loch Arkaig in Lochaber. The reserve is managed jointly for the conservation of butterflies by the Forestry Commission and Butterfly Conservation.
This pleasant scenic short walk passes through grassland, heath and open deciduous...
A short, but steep hillwalk up this distinctively shaped landmark.
Dun Deardail is a vitrified iron age Highland hill fort on a prominent knoll on the north facing spur of Sghorr Chalum in Glen Nevis. It is thought to have been built at sometime between first millenium BC and the first millenium AD. The fort occupies 1250 square metres and dominates the south...
Several paths in The An Torr Woodland will be closed from 5th October 2015 whilst forestry work takes place. Please see the information link below.
A lovely short walk through coniferous plantation to Signal Rock; reputed to be a gathering place for the MacDonalds of...
The track ascends through coniferous plantation (mainly firs and spruces) with some sections of mixed woodland consisting of willow, hazel, birch, cherry, beech, sycamore, whitebeam and rowan. The grassy verges support creeping and field buttercup (Ranunculus acris and R. repens...
The walk includes a lovely section along the Caledonian Canal passing between two aqueducts (Shengain Aqueduct and Glen Loy Aqueduct), and incorporates part of the Great Glen Way. The road section provides good views of Caledonian Canal and the River Lochy, as well as some lovely hill views,...
A walk through spruce plantation to a lovely remnant of oak woodland.
Most of the walk is on a forest tracks through a plantation of mainly Sitka spruce with scattered rowan, bird cherry, willow and hazel. The verges support bluebell, creeping and meadow buttercups, tormentil, greater...
A lovely short walk along the banks of the River Lundy and through the plantation woodland of Leanachan Forest with some botanical interest.
The route passes through sections of spruce plantation. The plantation is skirted on route by fringes of mixed woodland of alder, goat willow and...
A lovely walk through the steep-sided Nevis Gorge to an impressive waterfall, An Steall, cascading from a hanging valley (Coire A’ Mhail). This is a very impressive short walk with much geological and botanical interest, as well as stunning mountain views of the slopes of Ben Nevis, and some of...
A lovely walk along the southern shores of Loch Arkaig to the mountain bothy on the banks of the River Mallie. The walk takes in Chia-aig waterfalls with a deep plunge pool which has been liken to a Witch's cauldron. The Chia-aig falls featured in the Hollywood film, Rob Roy. The walk affords...
A pleasant short circular walk along the towpath of the Caledonian Canal to Moy Bridge, returning along a minor road (B8004). The route along the canal follows the Great Gen Way.
The Caledonian Canal is a 62 mile long waterway between...
An interesting walk in heathland and woodland through Glen Spean, with good views of the Nevis Range. The route includes a section of Wade’s military road with its historic High Bridge (built in 1736 over the River Spean), as well as part of the disused railway line between Invergarry and Fort...
A lovely walk to the wooden statue of the Wee Minister, a cedar wooden replica by Peter Bowsher of a former stone statue that stood on a nearby site.
The route initially follows the River Spean for a short distance on a minor road which is fringed with birch, hazel, oak, hazel, alder, ash...
A very pleasant walk through a lovely section of mixed woodland along the banks of the River Spean in Glen Spean. The walk affords some fine views of the Spean Gorge, an impressive channel cut by turbulent glacial waters.
Most of the route is through mixed deciduous riperian woodland...
There are two lovely short walks in the Forestry Commission Glen Garry Native Pinewoods (Ciste Dubh Trail and Alt na Cailliche). Both routes pass through deciduous and pine woodland in The Glen Garry Forest Area, following the River Garry for part of the way, and affording some lovely views....
A stunning walk with fabulous hill views to lochan a Choire in Coire Ardair, following the watercourse, Allt Coire Ardair, in the Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve.
The route has some steep sections but for much of the way rises fairly gently to the lochan along a very good gravel...
Three lovely short walks from the car park in Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve providing an opportunity to experience various habitats, including meadow, ancient alder woodland and heath land. The walks offer some stunning of views of Creag Meagaidh massif and Loch Laggan.
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