Yes, there’s Ben Nevis, but not everyone has Ben Nevis in them. Or, you’ve done it and want to try something else. All 1,345 meters (4,413 feet) above sea level of Ben Nevis takes around 8 hours to go up and down, so it actually isn’t that bad if you’re used to hiking, but we just want to put people onto the hikes around it that don’t get enough credit.
Taking one of our Scottish motorhomes around the area and seeing what might, in some people’s opinions, be better could open your eyes to the fact that Britain’s highest mountain isn’t necessarily the most beautiful.
Read on to find out more.
Steall Falls and the Nevis Gorge
Best for: Short scenic walk with big rewards
Ability level: Easy to moderate
Start and end point: Car park at the end of the Glen Nevis road
Distance: Around 3.5km
Time: 1.5–2 hours
Route type: Out and back
Steall Falls and the Nevis Gorge are two of the best short walks near Ben Nevis. You don’t need to go on a full mountain hike, so it’s perfect for beginners and moderate walkers, and the views you get are out of this world.
The route starts from the car park at the very end of the Glen Nevis road and follows a rough, rocky path through woodland and gorge scenery before opening out into a wide meadow below Steall Falls.
The walk is not especially long, but it is more adventurous than a flat countryside stroll. The path can be rocky, uneven, and slippery in wet weather, and there are sections with steep drops, so we would say you need to be careful sometimes, but you definitely don’t need to be an expert hiker.
After walking through the narrow gorge, the landscape suddenly opens up to reveal one of Scotland’s most impressive waterfalls that’s backed by steep green slopes and rugged Highland peaks.
We’d recommend this route to families with older children, casual walkers, and anyone who doesn’t want to spend the day hiking.
Dùn Deardail Fort, Glen Nevis
Best for: A moderate walk with history and views
Ability level: Easy to moderate
Start and end point: Braveheart car park, Glen Nevis
Distance: Around 10km
Time: 2.5–3.5 hours
Route type: Circular / return-style walk
Dùn Deardail is a brilliant choice if you want something longer than Steall Falls but not as demanding as climbing Ben Nevis.
Starting from the Braveheart car park in Glen Nevis, the route follows good tracks and paths through forest before climbing gradually towards the site of an ancient hill fort.
The trail is generally straightforward underfoot, so we’d say it’s suitable for regular walkers and confident beginners who are comfortable with a few hours of walking. There is some ascent, but it is much gentler than the mountain routes in the area.
The main reason people love this hike is the hilltop position. From Dùn Deardail, you get excellent views across Glen Nevis, towards Ben Nevis and over the surrounding mountains. The remains of the fort are also cool to see, but you can’t actually see as much as you think.
Cow Hill Circuit, Fort William
Best for: Views over Fort William, Loch Linnhe and Glen Nevis
Ability level: Moderate
Start and end point: Fort William town centre
Distance: Around 11km
Time: 3–4 hours
Route type: Circuit
People don’t give Cow Hill enough credit because it’s always overshadowed by Ben Nevis. And we mean literally; Ben Nevis towers above it.
The circuit starts at Fort William and gives you stunning views without needing to take on a major summit. You’ll follow marked paths and tracks, with some steep ascent and descent, so we would say it’s slightly more difficult than the other paths we’ve mentioned.
It’s definitely a good leg-stretcher, especially if you want a half-day route and then to go and sit in the pub for the rest of the day. It also works well as a lower-level alternative when the weather higher up on Ben Nevis is poor.
From the circuit, you get views over Fort William, Loch Linnhe, Glen Nevis, and the surrounding hills, so it’s definitely worth doing in our opinion.
Ben Nevis Mountain Track
Best for: Reaching the summit of Ben Nevis by the most straightforward route
Ability level: Hard
Start and end point: Ben Nevis Visitor Centre, Glen Nevis
Distance: Around 17km
Time: 7–9 hours
Route type: Out and back
We’ve saved the biggest and the baddest until last. It’s such a long route, so we’d definitely say it’s for advanced and experienced hikers, but how could we do this article and leave out the actual Ben Nevis route?
This is actually the easiest of all the routes you can take to get to the summit, and it’s usually the one most first-time summit walkers use. It begins at the Ben Nevis Visitor Centre in Glen Nevis and climbs steadily towards Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe before continuing up long zigzags towards the summit plateau.
Although it is sometimes called the ‘Tourist Track’ or ‘Pony Track,’ that name can be misleading.
This is still a serious mountain walk with over 1,300 metres of ascent, rough stony ground and weather that can change quickly. In clear summer conditions, the path is usually straightforward to follow, but mist, rain, wind, or snow can make the upper mountain much more serious.
Whatever route you choose, treat the area with respect. Ben Nevis and Glen Nevis are beautiful, but they are also rugged, changeable, and exposed. Check the forecast, carry the right kit, know your route, and be ready to turn back if conditions are not right.