One of the best short walks in Scotland, this route heads through the dramatic and beautiful Nevis Gorge and leads to the awesome Steall Falls.
Clear, well-walked path throughout, but the path is very rough and rocky with steep drops and good footwear and care is needed.
Bus service between May and September as far as the bridge at the Lower Falls.
End of road up Glen Nevis.
Park at the car park at the very end of the road up Glen Nevis. There is a tremendous water slide descending from Ben Nevis here. The path begins at the far end of the car park, and has a signpost for several far-away places for which it is seldom used, such as Spean Bridge, Corrour Station and Kinlochleven. It is however the start point for many Munros as well as the access for this popular short walk, and must be one of the busiest paths in Scotland. It heads at once into attractive deciduous woodland. The rocky path through the gorge is maintained by the John Muir Trust who care for the land here. The trust is a charity that protects wild places; you can find out more and join to support their work at http://www.johnmuirtrust.org/.
The path soon becomes rough and rocky, and there are glimpses of tremendous rocky mountainsides through the trees. At one stream, the way has been cut out of the rock and heads round the corner on a wide ledge; beyond here there is a first glimpse of the white line of Steall Falls through the gorge. The valley now narrows considerably and the river can occasionally be seen below, crashing over and round huge fallen boulders. The path climbs up a rocky section with the aid of steps and a wooden hand-rail, before reaching the top of the gorge.
As the trees are left behind the scene changes completely. The glen suddenly broadens out once more to form a grassy meadow decorated with wild flowers and surrounded by wooded, precipitous mountainsides. The crowning glory is the Steall Falls, now seen directly ahead across the meadow. Continue along the excellent path towards it.
Continue on the main path until it reaches a bend where the glen curves round to the left and the path is close to the river. This is the best spot for admiring the great falls. They are the third highest falls in Scotland, cascading 105 metres down the rockface, and a tremendous sight particularly in spate. Rising above the falls is the Munro of An Gearanach, the first peak on the Ring of Steall, and this is the starting point for many mountain excursions. Unless embarking on a long walk, return by the same route you came.
Before doing this, you may want to follow the branch path to the right for a short distance. This leads to the notorious wire-bridge across the river. It can be crossed by the brave with great care, using the top two wires for handholds and balancing the feet on the lower wire; you'll have to come back though!
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