Upper Glen Nevis

Upper Glen Nevis is staggeringly beautiful, a climb through lovely woodland of birch and other deciduous trees, dotted with ancient Scots pines, across a steep gorge side, emerging into a beautiful wide grassy upper valley, with the Steall waterfall, Scotland's second highest, falling down the opposite hillside. 

Even the drive to the beginning of the walk is beautiful, winding up stunning Glen Nevis, between  sparkling woodland and verdant pasture, one's neck creaking as one gazes up to Ben Nevis dour granite summit directly above. Parking at the road end can be difficult, as this is a popular walk. Walkopedia found a place at 12:30, but a prompt or late afternoon start must generally be advisable.

You spend half an hour or so in beautiful woodland, traversing the steep hillside. Way below, the river in the sheer gorge bottom is a distant conversation, which becomes a roar as the river rises steeply towards the path. You emerge quite suddenly into a gorgeous wide, boggy valley through which the river meanders amiably. The Steall waterfall tumbles down its crags on the far side.

The wider upper glen recedes away eastwards towards it's oblivion, fading into Rannoch Moor at is far end, at this lower end between major peaks on each side, including glimpses of Ben Nevis to the north between lesser outlying peaks. Further up, the hills decline, although maintaining some pyramidical vestiges of their glacial origins.

This is really magical walking, especially once you get away from the single cable bridge at the bottom of the wider glen, beyond which most walkers don't venture.

Walkopedia was lucky to be here on a bright day, when the colours were particularly vivid.

For more information and photos, including detailed practical information and some warnings, see our Ben Nevis and Glen Coe Area page.