This easy-going walk follows the banks of the Caledonian Canal - built by Thomas Telford. The route takes in the entrance to the canal from the sea at Loch Linnhe, as well as the famous Neptune's Staircase - a spectacular flight of lochs.
Easy canal-side paths; care needed crossing busy road
Buses and trains available from Fort William to Banavie.
Neptunes Staircase car park.
If heading from Fort William, turn right off the A830 into Banavie, and then turn right again into the Neptune's Staircase car park. The path begins from the far corner of the car park and leads straight onto the side of the Caledonian Canal. This is the bottom end of the flight of eight locks known as Neptune's Staircase, and is very popular with visitors. The locks were built in the early 1800s as part of the Caledonian Canal, which opened in 1847 and was planned by Thomas Telford. They descend a height of 19.5 metres in a horizontal distance of 457 metres and take ninety minutes for a boat to pass through.
Turn right along the canal and carefully cross the busy road and then the railway line beyond to follow the canal-side path down towards Loch Linnhe. The wide path follows the peaceful banks of the canal for over a kilometre down to the double loch at Corpach.
Just beyond, the canal ends as a final sea-lock divides it from the salt waters of Loch Linnhe. There are a series of Telford-designed lock-keepers houses and a small beacon; cross the lock closest to the sea to reach the picnic area on the far side. There are good views from the picnic area across Loch Linnhe to Fort William beyond, and Ben Nevis.
Turn left and follow the far side of the canal; just downhill to the right is the Caol housing estate, and there is another Telford-designed house; keep by the canal as the path again crosses the railway and then the road. The road crosses the canal by means of a swing bridge.
You are now back at Neptune's Staircase, though on the opposite side of the canal. Follow the canal up beside all the lochs to the topmost loch around six hundred metres further on. The staircase is usually busy with both pleasure craft and boats seeking an easy route between the Atlantic and the North Sea. Cross the topmost loch, enjoying the views back down the staircase, and turn left down the other side of the canal to return to the start. There is a cafe on the banks of the canal by the car park.
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