Fort William to Glenfinnan

Summary

The Cape Wrath Trail begins in a boat, by taking the small passenger ferry from Fort William to Camusnagaul. The route then follows the shoreside road for 9km along the Ardgour side of Loch Linnhe (you could alternately begin from the Corran Ferry for a shorter road walk). The tarmac is left behind for the long walk up beautiful Cona Glen, with plenty of old Scots pines, oaks and birches. At the head of the glen the route climbs over a low bealach before a somewhat boggier descent to to the Road to the Isles, and a final walk along tracks to Glenfinnan.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Tarmac road, good track up Cona Glen, boggy stalkers path on descent on far side before good tracks resume.

Getting there

Start

Ferry from Fort William town pier to Camusnagaul.

Public Transport

Fort William is well served by both rail and buses from Glasgow. The small passenger ferry from the town pier leads across to the start of the walk at Camasnagaul. Glenfinnan is linked to Fort William by train and bus. .

Start Grid Ref

NN095750

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Services

Fort William is the main town on the west coast of the Highlands and has all facilities, train and buses. Hostel at Corran. Glenfinnan has two hotels, bed and breakfast, hostel, train station.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 34.5km / 21.5 miles
Time: 8 - 10 hours
Ascent: 650m (Profile)

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

The passenger ferry to Camusnagaul on the far side of Loch Linnhe departs Fort William Town Pier. Once on the far side - a world away from the busy town - there are great views looking back to the town with Ben Nevis rising behind it. The walk begins by heading south(!) along the single-track A861 by the loch shores.

Stage 2

Although on tarmac, the road is flat and usually quiet, passing the houses of Stronchreggan (ignore the track off up into Gleann Sròn a' Chreagain here) and heading through some lovely woodland with occassional views back across the loch. The road turns a little inland as it approaches Inverscaddle Bay.

Stage 3

Ignore two entrances to Conaglen House off to the right, and fork right onto a tarmac surfaced lane some 10km from the ferry pier to begin the walk up Cona Glen. The lane forks again after 1km or so - ignore the right hand driveway and keep ahead, soon passing the front of Inverscaddle Cottage. The tarmac now ends as the route continues up a good landrover track, passing through a gate. This lower part of the glen is usually grazed by roaming Highland cattle.

Stage 4

The lower part of the glen has some beautiful old oak trees as well as Scots pine, ash, rowan and birch, though deer numbers mean that new growth is confined to a couple of fenced areas. The track often comes alongside the River Cona; the walking is easy and the scenery delightful. After 7km of the glen track, the locked estate bothy at Corrlarach is reached.

Stage 5

The track diverges from the river briefly before coming close to it once more, passing to the left of the knoll of Tom na h-Eilde. After 24.5km from the start the track ends at a turning area.

Stage 6

Beyond this the route continues as a clear stalkers path, with one brief boggy section, and soon begins a very steady climb across the slope; ignore a fainter boggier ATV track that keeps to the glen floor. There are good views across the empty bowl of the upper glen.

Stage 7

The route curves right to head into the bealach below Meall nan Damh and Sgòrr Craobh a'Chaorainn, which is revealed only at the last moment. The highest point of the pass is marked by a cairn.

Stage 8

The descent towards Glenfinnan begins, with a view to Gulvain ahead. The path remains clear but is very boggy in places, especially when it descends to reach a gate in a deer fence - but the view from here is superb, with dramatic mountains rising beyond the beautiful pinewoods of the glen. Beyond the gate the path descends to reach a track above the Allt na Cruaiche; turn left here, soon passing through another gate and continuing downhill to another gate and then the buildings at Callop. Turn right near this to follow the now tarmac track down towards the Callop River. Don't cross (the A830(T) is beyond), instead turning left, passing a small car park and along the vehicle track through the woods above the river.

Stage 9

After passing a disused quarry take the path off to the right. The ground here floods and the boardwalk has been removed, so take a detour path to the right over Torran Guibhais to reach the footbridge over the river. Cross and keep left on the far side to follow a path to a junction near the main road. A left turn here leads to the stunningly situated Glenfinnan Monument - erected in 1815 to mark the place where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard at the start of the final Jacobite Rising in 1745. A right turn leads to the A830 road opposite the NTS visitor centre; the car park at the end of the stage is just opposite.

Next stage: Glenfinnan to A'Chuil

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