Dun Deardil, Glen Nevis

Dun Deardil is an iron-age fort whose outline can still be seen as grassy embankments. The fort has a spectacular hilltop location with stunning views and makes a worthy objective for a walk from Glen Nevis.

Terrain

Good tracks / paths throughout

Public Transport

Bus service between May and September.

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Start

Glen Nevis visitor centre car park. Map and directions.

grade grade
Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 9km/5.5 miles
Time: 2.5 - 4 hours
Ascent: 324m (Profile)
Grid Ref: NN123731

Maps / GPS

Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Park at the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre, where there is a parking charge. Head back onto the road from the car park and turn left along the pavement on the far side. After around 300m turn right onto a path marked by a West Highland Way marker post; from here until shortly before the fort the route follows the West Highland Way. After a short distance a gate gives access to the woods ahead. Go through this and continue until a track is reached; turn left along the track.

Stage 2

After just over half a kilometre the track forks; take the right branch, which gradually climbs to give good views looking back over the lower end of Glen Nevis. The track eventually zig-zags steeply right and then left before another fork; keep right here, on the main West Highland Way track.

Stage 3

Just before the track crests a rise there is a clear path heading off left, signed for Dun Deardail. Turn left onto this, and keep straight ahead when another path heads off right into the dense plantation. The path rounds the edge of the trees before curving uphill over grassy ground. It crosses a brief boardwalk before the final ascent of the grassy mound that marks the summit of Dun Deardail.

Stage 4

The iron age fort here had a vitrified wall around the outside - stones heated to such a high temperature that they fused together - though now they exist only as a circular grassy embankment enclosing the top. It is well worth walking right around the embankment to fully take in the superb views. Ben Nevis in particular is majestic, looking its full height across the deep glen. Once you've finished enjoying the summit, the return walk is a retracing of your steps.

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Route Profile

Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is each walkers' responsibility to check it and navigate using a map and compass.