Glen Nevis and Steall Falls

The road to the start of the walk follows Glen Nevis, a beautifully wooded valley that is a classic example of glaciated scenery. Surrounding mountain scenery is impressive with the convex slopes of Ben Nevis to the left and the pointed summits of the Mamores Range to the right. At the car park a great waterslide tumbles down the mountain for more than 1,000 feet (350 metres), with a good viewpoint from the path leading from the road.

The Water of Nevis runs through a barrier of hills to form the Nevis Gorge. The narrowness and depth of the gorge, the huge boulders at its bottom, and the force of the water crashing against them give the place a Himalayan character unique in Scotland. The path climbs through a variety of trees (Scots pine, birch, rowan, oak) high above the river, which forms a foaming torrent called Eas an Tuill (Waterfall of the Hole).

Beyond the Nevis Gorge lies a plain — a mountain sanctuary encircled by high peaks. At the far end of this lost valley, Steall Waterfall plummets 350 feet (100 metres) from the cliffs above in one great sweep, making it the third highest waterfall in Britain.

The foot of the waterfall can be reached only by crossing a wire bridge spanning the river (featuring three cables: one for the feet and one on each side for the hands). Hillwalkers cross it regularly, while others admire the view from the bank. From the upland plain the walk returns via Glen Nevis to the start.

Acknowledgment: Text derived from the Out and Out Series; Discovering the Countryside on Foot.