This short but steep walk visits the Grey Mare's Tail waterfall, which is one of the most impressive in the region. The route then climbs up the hillside and visits an old Lodge, now a hotel, before returning to Kinlochleven
Summary
Easy to follow paths though steep and rocky on the way up.
Terrain
NN188623
Grid ref
3.5km/2 miles
Distance
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Regular buses to Kinlochleven from Fort William
Open Traveline Scotland
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Pronunciation
and meaning
1. The walk begins from the car park adjacent to St Paul's Church in Kinlochleven; it is signed 'Grey Mare's Tail' from the main road. Follow the path from the edge of the car park into the woods; it is signed for 'Spean Bridge' and 'Corrour Station', and waymarked in several colours. The original path and car park were a gift from Alcan (the company that operated the Aluminium works that were the reason Kinlochleven was built); however the company recently pulled out of the town and a new path has been built using EU funds. Almost at once the path reaches a t-junction; turn left here (the right branch heads for Loch Eilde Mor).
Photo ©Richard Webb, under CCSA.
2. Keep on the gravel-surfaced new path as it winds gently uphill and between two gateposts, eventually crossing a footbridge. On the far side, turn left to detour and visit the waterfall, which is only a couple of hundred metres away. The thundering falls, known as the Grey Mare's Tail, are hugely impressive, with the Allt Coire nam Ba flowing off a sheer cliff in a single leap of almost fifty metres. Head back to the footbridge, this time going straight on.
3. The path follows the stream for a short distance until reaching another junction. Turn left here (following the white, yellow and green waymarkers and ignoring the red ones). Almost immediately the path begins climbing steeply uphill, with a rougher surface, rocky in places. The ascent is fairly short-lived however and there is soon a good view over Kinlochleven. At the next junction, turn left (white waymarkers).
4. The path now climbs gently up the grassy hillside, with stunning views down the length of Loch Leven to the Pap of Glencoe. The path then crosses a footbridge before climbing again and meeting a tarmac road. The Mamore Lodge hotel (refreshments) is situated just to the right along the road - a short detour. The lodge was built in 1903 for Capt Frank Bibby, who made his fortune in the Liverpool shipping industry. The aluminium works company built the lodge in return for the grant of additional land to house workers back down in the town. To continue the walk, head down the tarmac road to the left.
5. Follow the road downhill for almost a kilometre until a clear path crosses it. This is the West Highland Way, although it isn't signed at this point. Turn left down the path and follow it through the trees until it fords a small stream (stepping stones); just beyond it reaches the road on the outskirts of Kinlochleven. Turn left along the road, turning left again onto Wade's Road. Follow the road round to return to the start.
Photo ©JM Briscoe, under CCSA.
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